Monadnock Voices: Chuda Mishra

WEST SWANZEY

What brought you to the Monadnock Region?

My wife, Jennifer Carroll, and I moved to the Monadnock Region in 2014 when she was hired by the Historical Society of Cheshire County as the director of education. We had been wanting to move back to NH to raise our young daughters, Ruby (1) and Sofia (newborn).

Why did you decide to start a business here?

As an immigrant from Nepal, I would often meet other immigrants in the region and we would talk about how far we travel to do our grocery shopping to find foods from our culture. During COVID-19, this became more difficult, and it gave me the idea to bring international foods from NYC to Keene for people who were afraid to be in crowds. That idea started as an online store with a pop-up pickup location in Keene. Within six months, the business grew large enough to open a store.

When launching a new business in the Monadnock area, what kind of professional or community support were you able to receive?

We opened our store on a bare-bones budget with a small business loan. The community supported us with ideas for products and wordof-mouth promotion. We conducted a survey in the area to figure out what our residents needed. Soon, we were on NHPR and Boston Chronicle, which expanded our reach quickly.

The community has been very encouraging ... spreading the word about us, helping us select products, cooking for us to teach us different food cultures. Our customers constantly thank us for being here, and some of our customers have gone so far as to want to protect our store and family.

What do you feel has been your best accomplishment so far?

Our best accomplishment has been supporting the diverse food cultures that are thriving in our community. We use our position in the community to invite the public to celebrate holidays and events with us, and we support nonprofits that educate youth about international cultures.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who might be considering opening a business in the area?

My advice to new businesses would be to be good listeners. Also, to realize that you must be committed to the business 24/7. It will become your lifestyle.