From Transport Worker to Insurance Leader: The Inspiring Journey of Shiva Kumar Shrestha
Kathmandu – At first glance, Shiva Kumar Shrestha might appear to be just another self-employed transport entrepreneur. But in recent years, his identity has expanded far beyond the roads of Kathmandu. Today, Shrestha is making his mark as a successful and respected agency manager in the life insurance sector.
Currently serving as a senior agency manager at Reliable Nepal Life Insurance Company’s Hatigaunda branch, Shrestha has emerged as a role model for perseverance and determination. In the first month of the current fiscal year alone, he sold 13 insurance policies—an achievement that underscores not only his work ethic but also his ability to connect with people and highlight the importance of financial security.
Shrestha credits his entry into the insurance business to the encouragement of his mentor, Agency Manager Nawaraj Bhandari. “If Nawaraj sir had not advised me, I would not be in this position today,” Shrestha recalls. With hard work and dedication, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an agency manager within the same year of completing his training. Today, he balances his role as senior agency manager with leadership responsibilities in the Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal (ITWAN), where he serves as secretary of the Bagmati Province Committee.
Shrestha’s journey, however, was not without hardship. Born 36 years ago in Lakuri village in Dolakha, to Poshak Bahadur and Chitra Kumari Shrestha, he faced financial struggles from an early age. After completing his SLC in 2061 BS, he was unable to continue his education. Determined to support himself, he came to Kathmandu, working first as a hotel cleaner and later as a salesman for Colgate Distribution Company.
Like many Nepalis in search of better opportunities, Shrestha pursued foreign employment, spending five years working in Bahrain and Dubai under challenging conditions. Disappointed by the experience, he returned home in 2071 BS and invested his savings, along with a loan from into a microbus business on the Budhanilkantha–Ratnapark route. Through grit and determination, he repaid his loans, established himself as a transport entrepreneur, and later built a home in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, with the support of his family.
His foray into the insurance business opened a new chapter in his life. Known for his humility, clarity, and ability to win trust, Shrestha has successfully blended his entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for financial literacy. His dual identity as both a transport entrepreneur and an insurance leader reflects his commitment to stability and progress—not just for himself, but also for those around him.
Today, Shrestha stands as an example of how perseverance, guidance, and an unyielding spirit can transform challenges into opportunities. From working as a cleaner and salesman to becoming a respected leader in both the transport and insurance sectors, his story is a powerful example of success born from resilience.