The Studentpreneur Awareness Programme 2025 was successfully organised by the Skill Development Committee, Kohima College, in collaboration with Young Indians (Yi), EduCentre & Startup Nagaland (Department of Industries & Commerce, GoN). The event aimed to inspire & inform students about entrepreneurship & was held in the format of a panel discussion.
The programme was chaired by Lona Katiry, Asst. Professor, Department of Education, Kohima College. The panel featured two distinguished entrepreneurs from Nagaland: Teresa Sekhose, Founder of Leaf & Loom, & Atoho A Kinimi, Founder of Joldi Pabo.
Both panellists shared their entrepreneurial journeys, focusing on the origin & development of their startups. They emphasised the importance of understanding the Naga market & building a brand that resonates emotionally with consumers. Their testimonies included discussions on marketing strategies, branding, the use of sustainable materials, & the need for thorough market research prior to launching a business.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the significance of transforming one’s skills into entrepreneurial ventures, even as passive sources of income. The panellists also highlighted the benefits of flexibility in entrepreneurship & mastering essential skills such as sales, negotiation & customer service. The principle that “the customer is always right” & strategies for dealing with difficult customers were also addressed.
Other critical themes included the challenges of securing funding, the importance of having a clear & meaningful business concept to attract investors, & the need to price creative products in a way that reflects their value. They encouraged students to focus not only on profit but also on providing viable solutions to market demands.
The panel concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students raised questions about the self-sustainability of terrarium businesses, insights into the real estate market, & strategies for effective use of social media in business promotion.
Overall, the Studentpreneur Awareness Programme 2025 was a resounding success. It achieved its intended learning outcomes by equipping students with practical insights & inspiring them to consider entrepreneurship as a meaningful & sustainable career path.
