On the name of his company Aleks said, “The reason why I named my company as Misty Hills is because plum fruit, which is the main ingredient of my wine, is harvested during monsoon season. Ukhrul, my home town, itself becomes a misty hill during this time.”

However, with the lack of proper equipment and non-availability of plums during off-season, Aleks laments that he cannot continue his work round the year.

Similar is the case for many budding entrepreneurs in the state whose journeys are constantly hindered. But with their strong willpower and creativity, they are creating a niche for themselves.

Sisters Sovi Shaiza and Yungreiwon Ragui are the co-owners of Handmade Cottage, a perfect example of people shaping their career based on interests and not on the traditional education system. Making handmade dolls for a living was never their dreams, as both the sisters are trained nurses who realised that their skills lie in an artistic world.

They said, “We were inspired to make handmade gifts because handmade gifts are very rare. When you gift someone [something] which you’ve made yourself, it is unique and more special.”