Sujit Acharya's Journey from Financial Struggle to Business Success with MomoNepal

Apr 26, 2026, 09:00

Introduction

Sujit Acharya, a business student at Acadia University, has overcome serious financial difficulties to start his own company, MomoNepal, and win a prestigious academic scholarship.

Main Body

The business began in the spring of 2023 when Acharya, who is from Nepal, used his own limited savings to sell traditional dumplings at a festival in Kentville, Nova Scotia. At that time, he was facing a severe financial crisis, struggling to pay his tuition and relying on food banks and church support for housing. After his initial success, he expanded his operations by joining a multicultural festival and the Wolfville Farmers' Market. Today, MomoNepal is a professional business that sells vegetarian products in four retail locations and various markets, employing a head chef and several part-time workers. However, growing the business has been challenging due to Canadian federal regulations, which limit international students to working 24 hours per week off-campus during the semester. Furthermore, Professor Ryan MacNeil from Acadia University emphasized that there is a systemic gap in funding for entrepreneurs. He asserted that international students are often ineligible for the support programs available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, which means they must rely on their own money or scholarships. As a result of his hard work, Acharya was selected as one of eight winners of the Frank H. Sobey scholarship, receiving $50,000. He plans to use this money to buy a commercial kitchen in the Halifax area to increase production. Although he has faced some difficulties finding a property because of his age, he is still searching for a suitable location. Additionally, because of his own past experience with hunger, Acharya has included a charitable goal in his business model to help others in need.

Conclusion

Sujit Acharya is now preparing to graduate and plans to apply for a work permit and permanent residency while expanding MomoNepal's production in Halifax.

Vocabulary Learning

entrepreneur (n.)
business owner / a person who starts their own business企業家；創業家
Example:The professor noted that there is a systemic gap in funding for international entrepreneurs.
operations (n.)
business activities / the activities of a business or organization業務；營運
Example:The company expanded its operations by selling products in four different retail locations.
overcome (v.)
surmount / to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty克服；戰勝
Example:Sujit had to overcome many financial difficulties to start his own business.
prestigious (adj.)
reputable / very much respected and admired有名望的；享負盛名的
Example:Winning a prestigious scholarship helped him fund his business expansion.
regulations (n.)
rules / official rules or laws that control how something is done規例；條例
Example:Strict government regulations limit the number of hours international students can work.

Sentence Learning

The business began in the spring of 2023 when Acharya, who is from Nepal, used his own limited savings to sell traditional dumplings at a festival in Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Non-defining Relative Clause: This clause provides extra background information about the subject "Acharya" without changing the core meaning of the sentence.非限定關係子句：此子句為受詞「Acharya」提供額外的背景資訊，且不影響句子的核心意思。
However, growing the business has been challenging due to Canadian federal regulations, which limit international students to working 24 hours per week off-campus during the semester.
Relative Clause (Sentential): The word "which" refers back to the specific regulations mentioned previously to explain their restrictive impact.關係子句（指代前面提到的名詞）：「which」一字指代前面提到的聯邦法規，用以解釋其限制性的影響。
Furthermore, Professor Ryan MacNeil from Acadia University emphasized that there is a systemic gap in funding for entrepreneurs.
Linking Word for Addition: "Furthermore" is used in formal writing to introduce an additional supporting point or piece of information.表示遞進的連接詞：「Furthermore」用於正式寫作中，以引入額外的支持論點或資訊。
As a result of his hard work, Acharya was selected as one of eight winners of the Frank H. Sobey scholarship, receiving $50,000.
Passive Voice: The passive form "was selected" is used to focus on the recipient of the action rather than the group that chose him.被動語態：被動語態「was selected」用於將焦點放在動作的承受者身上，而非選擇他的團體。
Although he has faced some difficulties finding a property because of his age, he is still searching for a suitable location.
Concession and Contrast: The conjunction "although" introduces a contrasting idea or obstacle that does not prevent the main action from happening.讓步與對比：連接詞「although」引入了一個對比性的想法或障礙，而該障礙並未阻止主要行動的發生。