“It’s a really beautiful tapestry of different cultures and different personalities”

 

Read about how Sapana turned her many hobbies into a source of income!

Happy, enthusiastic and full of energy, there's never a dull moment on Sapana's adventures. Drawing inspiration from her many hobbies and the culture of her home country, Nepal, she seems to have a never ending treasure trove of ideas for engaging content! She has quickly become a star guide, and a hugely important member of the Mimmy team. We spoke to Sapana about her experience as a guide, and what she enjoys most about working with Mimmy Adventure. 

Question: How would you describe your experience working with Mimmy Adventure?

Answer: It’s really great. Actually I didn’t expect it would go this far or be this nice! I am really enjoying working with Mimmy and all the adventures, plus all the kids. It’s really fun.

Question:  What is it that you like or dislike about Mimmy?

Answer: Talking about dislikes; frankly speaking, there isn’t much to dislike! But about what I like the most. I love interacting with kids. Another important part is that I get to show my hobbies and skills, and I get to create my own content that I am comfortable with. This is the best part - to share my hobby and passion.

Question:  About the content – You have so many kinds of great content! How do you come up with so many interesting ideas?

Answer: Actually, I have so many hobbies, like painting, cooking, baking, and I love to travel! When I first had the interview and when I heard that I could share my hobbies, I saw this as a great platform to share all the things that I like. When I created my content about Boudhanath Stupa, I wanted to share my culture, because you told me that it would be a cultural exchange with Japanese kids. My first thought was that Boudhanath Stupa would be a great place to show them. So, I did that, and everyone liked it! After that, the content has been based on my hobbies. I like cooking, so I put that in. And also chocolates, baking… these all came to mind one after another!

Question: Do you think it’s easy or difficult to think of these content ideas?

Answer: It’s fine, like it’s 50/50. You know, firstly, the difficult part is that I need to keep changing my content every week, but it’s fun that everyone gets to enjoy something  different, and I get to deliver different content every week. It’s not that difficult, but not that easy as well! (laughs). But it’s very, very fun!

Question: Do you think performing your adventures here at Mimmy helps you become more passionate about your hobbies?

Answer: Of course! Whatever I do kids enjoy it, and before I deliver my content I have to practice it by myself. So, when I create content I keep on thinking, “Ok, this needs to be done!” Whatever I do I want to do it in an easy way so that kids will understand, and this also gives me lots of space to improve and keep on doing my best in that. It has ended up helping me become more passionate about my hobbies!

Question: I guess that one of the benefits of this type of content is that when you are done making some delicious chocolates, you can eat the chocolates?

Answer: Of course! (laughs) When I first thought about my content on my hobby, it was like just travelling around different places and delivering some cooking stuff. But when I did that and the kids enjoyed it, I changed it to baking, like doughnuts, glazing doughnuts. After that, I had some interest in chocolates as well, so I started molding chocolates and showing the kids, which I could never have done if it wasn’t for Mimmy.

Question: How would you compare the lifestyle of working with Mimmy Adventure to other companies?

Answer: Really really different! Totally different, and in a very good way! I have just recently graduated, and the first thing you will hear from any company is that you will have to work from this time to this; you know, there is a timeframe. You also need to work about 6 days a week. So, I would be fully occupied if I were to work for a regular company. But with Mimmy Adventure I get to choose my own time, and it's only 10 minutes of my whole day. It’s totally different from other companies, and it’s really, really fun.

Question: How does it feel to see the kids’ reactions to your content?

Answer: That inspires me to do more and more. Whenever I do some content, they enjoy it!  Having interactions with children is a lot of fun, and their questions make me want to do more. If I make some chocolates and they say, “Oh that looks so delicious!” or “I wanna make that too!” it makes me feel so happy that I’m doing something and they want to be a part of that.

Question: Do you think some of the kids will want to take up some of your hobbies such as cooking, baking or traveling the world?

Answer:  Of course. Whenever I do traveling adventures, there is one student who gets very excited about Nepal, and I think he would love to travel more. About doughnuts and chocolates, so many kids enjoy these, so I think they may become pastry chefs! (laughs)

Question: Do you want the kids to be interested in your culture and visit your country as well?

Answer: Obviously I want them to visit my country! (laughs) I’m representing Nepal, and it’s a very beautiful country with so many diverse cultures and people. Traditions here really are very different from Japan and from other countries. If the kids come here, or if any of you get to come here, you will get to explore lots of different things! If you come, let me know! I will be the guide! (laughs)

Question: Do you think that some kids are gaining an interest in Nepal and Nepalese culture?

Answer: Yes! Regarding Nepalese snacks and the cooking content, I feel like they want to try whatever I show them! Another thing is that whenever I showed them different places, like Boudhanath Stupa, they were very excited. Also, to give them a wide range of Nepal content, I am planning to show them more of the cultural and traditional side. Up until now I feel like they've really wanted to know more about Nepal and the cultural stuff.

Question: How did you find out about us when you first applied to start working with us?

Answer: Actually, it was during October, after my graduation. I was trying to apply to study abroad, but I still had some time before then. One of my friends suggested Mimmy Adventure to me. I looked at it and I was like, “10 minutes?! Wow that’s amazing!” The pay rate was also very good, and it’s for only 10 minutes of my time! The most important part was that I got to share my skills and my hobbies, which really attracted me. All this made me want to apply to Mimmy.

Question: Did you find anything that put you off during your application that would have stopped you from applying?

Answer: Nothing. One thing is that people will always have doubts whenever there is information involving accounts and money. When I got recruited, you told me to add my account number and bank details for payment. I was like “aaaah, should I do that??” (laughs). But then I thought, “if I don’t give my account information, how will I get paid?!” So,  I thought “I will try this...” I had two accounts, and I gave the one with nothing in it (laughs). But everything turned out well!

Question: Ah yes, that’s why we changed it! Now we use Wise, but when you first joined you had to trust us a lot! Thank you for that!!

 Answer: Ah, so there’s no reason to doubt now! (laughs).

Question: You are doing a great job of spreading the word about us. We’re so grateful! Why did you decide to speak to people about our recruitment on Instagram and directly message them about whether they could be guides?

Answer: It’s fun, and it’s something I can do any time; even at night or when I’m relaxing. I am also happy to be part of a big change, as this is a new concept for kids - it’s a concept for this generation! When I was a kid there was nothing like this, so I feel like everybody needs to try it! If anyone is having financial issues or timing problems, then Mimmy Adventure is a great option. Just like when my friend suggested it to me and I got to know this great project, I want others to be a part of it as well.

Question: In the future we’re looking at expanding Mimmy Adventure to other countries as well. There nay be a point in the future where we teach kids in Nepal about Japan and other places. Do you think this would be good in your country as well?

Answer: This would be very good! Other sites like YouTube offer videos and information about places, but we don’t get to actually communicate or clear our doubts instantly. With Mimmy Adventure we can have face-to-face interactions. If I get to actually be part of an adventure, I can ask a question about anything, and I get to interact and clear any doubts.  Children in Nepal would enjoy adventures and parents would embrace this concept too. It’s a very different and unique concept, and even when I provide adventures myself, I wish I could also attend them!

Question: If you ever want to attend any adventures, let us know! If you see an adventure in the country you want to study avroad in, maybe you could attend that! Where were you thinking of studying?

Answer: I'm planning to apply for Australia!

Question: Is there any message you have about your country that you want to spread to anyone who is reading this blog?

Answer: To anyone who is reading this blog; Nepal is a very beautiful country with lots of mountains and greenery. People here are also really friendly. You should visit here at least once! There is a saying; “You will find heaven in Nepal!”

Question: For anyone who is thinking about applying to Mimmy Adventure to be a guide; what is your message to them?

Answer: For anyone who wants to apply or is thinking about whether to apply or not, I would say, give it a shot! They will realize that they hit a bull’s eye! I was the same; I was confused about whether to apply or not, but I gave it a shot and it was the best decision that I ever made! You will find the same!

 

 Let us know if there's anything you'd like to share with kids in Japan! 

https://mimmy.co.jp/guide