FALCON HEIGHTS, Minnesota — The bright colors coming from the Namaste Brows & Boutique booth at the Grandstand, match the personality of Jeena Gurung Vomhof.
"It's so much culture. It's so much brightness. And that's what I love about all of the things that I have here," Gurung Vomhof said.
Namaste Brows & Boutique is a new vendor at this year's Minnesota State Fair. The booth is full of colorful pieces made by Gurung Vomhof and crafters in Nepal.
Gurung Vomhof is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal and moved to Roseville in 2011.
"This is my home... my business, my everything is in Roseville. I'm the Roseville girl," she said.
Gurung Vomhof had been working in healthcare during the pandemic when she had a baby.
"He was 2.5 months old and one day I decided to take off my mask and say hello to him. I did peek-a-boo and he startled. He cried because he has never seen the face. He was born with everybody wearing masks and that was the trigger point for me," Gurung Vomhof recalled.
She ended up leaving her job but after a few months, decided she needed to find a new passion to pursue. Her husband saw her threading her mother's eyebrows and suggested she do that. Soon after, she opened Namaste Brows & Boutique in Roseville.
"I'm so thankful to that son that made me be this person that is so full of life today because I have the freedom to be a mom. I can drop my kids and pick up my kids at anytime today and then be at the shop when I want to," Gurung Vomhof said.
Besides threading, Namaste Brows & Boutique features items that represent her native Nepal.
"I went to Nepal three years ago and I was shocked. Businesses, shops, restaurants, everything was shut down," Gurung Vomhof recalled. "I listened to my heart and I said, 'These people need help.' That's why I handpicked those women on the streets of Kathmandu."
Namaste Brows & Boutique works with four women crafters. Gurung Vomhof visits once a year and works with them on the designs she wants to bring back to America. Gurung Vomhof also takes materials back to create pieces herself. All of the felt items are made from yak wool that is boiled and dyed.
Those items are currently for sale inside the Grandstand's second floor during the Minnesota State Fair.
Gurung Vomhof said last year someone on the fair staff had come in for an eyebrow threading, saw her items, and suggested she apply for a spot. She was too late to apply last year but immediately started pursuing the 2024 fair.
"I emailed them once a week. Once a month, I went to the administration office," she said.
She found out in February that she would have a spot at the fair.
"I can't believe that I'm here today. It's not about me. Again, this is about talking about your country, talking about your culture, talking about those women that had lost hope. I am that light and hope for them today," said Gurung Vomhof, with tears in her eyes. "This for me is a dream come true."
Namaste Brows & Boutique's Roseville location will reopen after the State Fair. It's located at 1718B Lexington Avenue.
Namaste Brows & Boutique
Second Floor, Grandstand
Between the numbers 23 and 24
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the State Fair. Grandstand closes at 8 p.m. on Labor Day