At Samsara, we’ve never seen merchandise as just a product. It’s always been about purpose — creating things that are thoughtful, sustainable, and made by real people in Nepal. But after working with over 100 clients across sectors, from NGOs to banks, corporates to tourism companies, we’ve learned something equally important:
Conscious merchandise is not just about what we make. It’s about how it’s experienced.
Every Tote bag, Dhaka notebook, Packaging pouch, Bamboo Bottle, or Bamboo Pen we send out is more than just an item, it’s part of someone’s event, campaign, or brand. And when over 100 clients trust you with that responsibility, it becomes your job to constantly reflect and improve.
So we asked them what worked. What didn’t. What stood out. We’ve made a survey and here’s what we’ve learned — not just about the products, but about the process of building conscious merchandise in Nepal.
The Market Wants Purpose — Not Just Products
From NGOs to tech startups and government agencies, one pattern is clear: clients no longer just want “stuff.” They want meaningful merchandise that aligns with their organizational values.
In our recent survey, many clients mentioned factors like “Trendy practice and visibility”, “Affordability and inclusion”, “Merchandise that reflects women’s needs and local values”.
This shows us that practicality is important — but so is cultural and ethical relevance. Whether it’s Dhaka-wrapped notebooks for inclusivity or jute folders for eco events, we’ve learned that conscious choices are what make a product memorable.
Good Design Isn’t Enough — Quality Is King
Our clients appreciate Samsara’s design aesthetic, but they’ve also been honest about areas to grow. Some clients pointed out issues like “fabric color fading over time”, “need for stronger stitching and thicker materials” and “variation in product quality across batches”.
We hear you. And we’re actively addressing this with tighter quality control, more consistent material sourcing, and cross-checking at every production stage. In conscious merchandise, design gets attention — but quality builds trust.
Timing and Communication Matter as Much as the Product
Multiple responses highlighted a key point: even if the product is good, delayed quotes or slow follow-ups can affect the experience. For organizations that run on deadlines — like events or campaigns — timing is everything.
This has helped us invest in better internal systems:
- Faster quotation process
- Clearer timelines
- More responsive communication before, during, and after production
Because when clients feel heard and updated, they’re more likely to return and recommend us.
Pricing Must Reflect Both Value and Fairness
Interestingly, most clients rated our pricing as fair or excellent, especially considering the handmade and local nature of our work. But a few still compared us with international market prices and noted room for improvement in perceived value.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Transparent pricing builds trust
- Educating clients about what goes into each product helps justify cost
Custom solutions are key, because not every client has the same budget, but they all want impact.
The Digital Experience Still Needs Work
While most users found us via our website or referrals, some feedback reminded us that visibility is still a challenge. Many clients couldn’t recall the keywords they used — or had trouble finding a Nepali manufacturer that matched their needs.
From this, we realized:
- We need to communicate our offerings more clearly online
- More keyword-based content, product search optimization, and showcasing real client work will help
- And yes — we do need to run better online awareness campaigns to reach organizations who still don’t know Samsara exists!
What We’re Most Proud Of
Despite the suggestions for improvement, almost every client surveyed mentioned they would work with us again.
Why?
Because Samsara values local production, sustainability, and ethical gifting which are no longer niche. They’re becoming the standard. And our clients are proud to be part of that movement.
As one response put it: “Excellent service. Bring new designs for tote bags.” Another simply said: “Would love to collaborate again for other events.”
Final Thought: Conscious Means Continuous
Making conscious merchandise means more than choosing eco-friendly materials or printing locally. It means paying attention — before, during, and after the product is made. It means listening to feedback, adapting designs, improving quality, and honoring the people behind every stitch and page.
What we’ve learned from 100+ clients is this:
Sustainability is not just in the product — it’s in the way we work.
It’s in how we respond to delays, how we explain value, how we update designs, and how we respect our artisans and clients at every stage.
We’re proud of what we’ve made so far — and even more excited about what we’ll do next. Because the only way to make conscious merchandise is to keep evolving with the people who use it.
