Located at the heart of Cardiff City Centre is a shop that puts their sweat and soul to familiarise its customers with The Himalayas and its undiscovered gems.
More than 45,000 British nationals visit Himalayas every year and they spend quite a hefty amount bringing souvenirs back home. Padam Sharma, the owner of Ganesha thought of putting a shop here in Britain to make the travel experience convenient for people without worrying about the souvenirs.
Ganesha has everything you can buy in Nepal. From colourful quirky clothings to silver jewelleries, buddha statues, crystals, Himalayan artefacts, and wall hangings. You name it and they have it here at Ganesha. The prices are quoted reasonably.
As you walk inside, you are hit by some mogra, sandalwood fragrance of burnt incense sticks that adds to the Himalayan theme of the store.
Sharma came to Britain 14 years ago with 10 kg silver jewellery from Nepal worth £40. By the next month, he had sold all of them with a profit of £100. His thought of bringing a part of Himalaya here was turned into an idea now. Backed by his strong business mind, his entrepreneurial journey took off from there.
Born in Nepal, brought up in India, Sharma recalls visiting Jaipur and getting inspired by stone cutting machines.
“I was fascinated by their jewellery making skills. Local workers in Rajasthan would try to impress Maharajas by their designs back in the days and the designs still remain. There, I noticed foreigners getting amused by these jewelleries and gems and that is how I was sure about my business idea.”
When asked about Sharma’s designs and his love for the rings, he says, “I am an artist without a brush. If I spot art, I pick it up and get Inspired.”
All of Ganesha’s items are individually crafted and they are sustainable. The store has 32 different suppliers, from all around the world and 7 other stores in Britain including two in Cardiff.
The employees at Ganesha greet you warmly as you explore the two floors full of artefacts from The Himalayas. The clothes are especially made in Nepal and they catch your attention as you walk by the colourful, dhaka printed clothing aisle.
Tia, one of the employees from the store says, “Our shop offers a different shopping experience from a usual high-state. Everything here is fairtrade.”
“It’s interesting to talk to our customers who don’t know much about their birthstones and advantages of crystals but go back learning so much about their birthstones.”
“Even though there are other shops that deal with crystals here in Cardiff, I would say, we definitely have the personality”, Tia says.
As Tia finishes answering the last question, she goes on to attend the curious group of 12 year old girls who had £10 clenched in their fists, debating and giggling with their other friends, asking which crystals would make them happier. Tia was right, the experience of them educating other is ‘healing’.