ITRocks #11 - Startup Lessons from Building Kitab Yatra | Rishi Ram Adhikari - Part 2

How do you build a successful startup, scale Nepal's leading online bookstore, and create a lasting impact through entrepreneurship? Supported By Yatri Media Part 2 of the ITRocks Podcast with Rishi Ram Adhikari, Chairman of Kitab Yatra (Nepal's online bookstore), Kitab Jatra (Nepal's annual book festival), Yatra Publishing House, and Director of Moru Digital; dives into the real-world challenges of building a startup, scaling a business, embracing digital transformation, and strengthening Nepal's publishing ecosystem. Building on our previous conversation, this episode focuses on the business side of Rishi's journey. From working with website developers and overcoming startup challenges, adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic, and planning the future of Kitab Yatra, Rishi shares practical lessons every entrepreneur, startup founder, and business leader can learn from. Throughout this conversation, Rishi Ram Adhikari shares valuable insights into entrepreneurship, startup business, online bookstores, book publishing, digital transformation, fintech, logistics, customer experience, leadership, networking, and Nepal's startup ecosystem. Whether you're building a startup, running a business, working in technology, publishing books, or simply looking for inspiration to create meaningful impact, this episode offers practical strategies and real-world experiences. Episode Highlights Startup Challenges: The realities of building and scaling a startup in Nepal. Working with Website Developers: Lessons from building digital platforms and creating better user experiences. COVID-19 & Digital Transformation: How the pandemic transformed customer behavior, accelerated online business, and reshaped the future of Kitab Yatra. The Future of Kitab Yatra: Expansion plans for Nepal's leading online bookstore and the future of digital book commerce. Kitab Jatra vs. Kitab Yatra: Understanding the difference between Nepal's annual book festival and its leading online bookstore, and how both are helping strengthen Nepal's reading culture. Networking & Leadership: Building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities, and growing through collaboration. Joining Moru Digital: His journey into Nepal's fintech industry, digital wallets, and the role of innovation in modern business. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, startup business, online bookstores, book publishing, Nepal's startup ecosystem, digital transformation, fintech, leadership, or Nepal's reading culture, this episode is for you. Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe to ITRocks Podcast for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, policymakers, creators, and changemakers from Nepal and around the world. Stay Connected with Rishi Ram Adhikari: Facebook:   / hrishi1993   Instagram:   / adhikariwrites   ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Podcast Disclaimer 00:22 Journalism from India 03:08 Poem: Who am I? 05:52 Prompt to ChatGPT 06:43 why you Left Journalism? 07:09 Travel Agency in India 09:21 Dropping out CA 11:38 Bought and Brought Book from India 12:56 Return Back to Kathmandu 14:30 Establishment of Kitab Yatra - Online Bookstore 16:45 Experiencing with Website Developer 20:30 Problem with Startup Business 22:48 Initiation taken for IT Company 25:50 United Parcel Service Example 27:00 Transactions Before Covid-19 28:35 Covid Changed Priority & Environment 31:50 Kitab Yatra Next Plan 33:22 Kitab Jatra vs Kitab Yatra 35:30 How you connect with Persons? 41:24 Invitation from PM 43:54 Kitab Jatra International Edition 47:28 What about Sponsors? 52:27 How do you get into Moru Digital? 53:51 Thank You Note About ITRocks Podcast Indra PC is an Assistant Professor at TU and a dedicated educator who has been actively communicating technology and digital knowledge in Nepal for nearly two decades. His journey in tech broadcasting began as the host of the radio program “ITRocks” on Pratidhwani FM 97MHz from 2007 to 2009. Continuing that mission today through the ITRocks Podcast, he hosts insightful conversations with industry leaders, innovators, educators, and intellectuals. Guided by the philosophy, “Knowledge needs to be shared,” Indra combines his academic expertise in ICTE with real world discussions to provide career guidance, technology awareness, and practical insights empowering the next generation to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Stay Connected with Indra PC: YouTube:    / indrapc   Facebook:   / thesane23   Instagram:   / indrapc23   Tiktok:   / thesane23   📌 Hashtags: #indrapc #KitabYatra #KitabJatra #YatraPublishingHouse #ups #Entrepreneurship #MoruDigital #ITRocksPodcast © All Rights Reserved by Indra PC 2026