entrepreneurs – UdaipurBlog

Chai & Wi-Fi

It’s always special to interview your friends. You have seen it all; when they had no ideas, when they had the raw ideas, when they were struggling, when they become entrepreneurs and finally when they got famous and successful. I had known Shubh since school days, but I was meeting Vinish for the first time.

The interview started up with a cup of Masala Chai whose exotic taste made me more attracted towards Chaifeteria. While we all were sharing giggles, they both said that they were not going to answer stereotype interview questions like who and what their inspiration was. Both of them are enough self admiring and hence their own lives were quite inspiring to them. While Vinish started jotting down answers for the questionnaire I had made, me and Shubh had a quick chat about our current lives.

The real conversation started while I was sitting and these both were preparing different orders for their customers. I was astonished by the amount of focus they were putting in everything. What kept me smiling all time along I was at Chaifeteria was the fact that their multitasking skills were incredible. They were meeting everyone pleasantly, made every order in the best possible way, paid total attention to my interrogation and answered them with full zeal and also offered me something or the other to eat from time to time. The best thing I ate was Ferrero Rocher chocolate fudge.

Now let me put down the amiable and amusing conversation among all three of us to this UdaipurBlog. Answers by Vinish will be mentioned first as he is the founder of this venture which ultimately means Shubh is the co-founder. And whatever I will add will be in Italics 😉

I sitting on the Red three legged stool asked:

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF CHAIFETARIA.

Vinish: Shubh had the experience of handling food joints in local market as he already had handled Café Anarki, Just 4 U, Café Alchemy. 8 months back I went to him with the idea of putting up a kiosk with a new concept. The notion of innumerable flavors of tea with attached Wifi seemed quite fetching to Shubh. So we planned to give this a shot.

Shubh: I was quite influenced by Vinish’s idea. As I already had worked in Banyan Root’s kitchen, I knew I could handle the kitchenette part of this venture too. With experience had known that businesses had risk, but they were worth it.

So this shiny thing is worth the price.

YOUR CHAIFETERIA HAS BEEN GIVEN WARM ACCEPTANCE AND IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED LOCALLY. TELL ME, HOW IT FEELS TO BE POPULAR?

Vinish: I want my work to be praised and accepted more than myself. I like fame in this way. I won’t care if people would say that they do not like me, but it would matter allot if they will not appreciate my activities towards this venture.

On the hand, Shubh completely is in head over heels love with this fame. He cherishes it when he does not need an introduction and most of the Udaipurites already know him. His major asset for his popularity has been his upcoming book “SHE-THE NOOR OF MY EYES”.

But both agree that adoration and approval of the customers and this city is the major prize which they have received.

WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS TO KEEPING CUSTOMERS COMING IN? WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS?

Vinish: The secret is the innovative idea of making WiFi available at a Kiosk. Also the keen observation I have had due to my hobby of travelling helped me a lot. I almost know that what ideas will be sellable and what will be not.

Shubh: Media has had been a great help for our enterprise and its promotion. Big thanks to Dainik Bhaskar, Zee Marudara, Etv Rajasthan and Topyaps.com for covering our story. And Nida, Thanks to UdaipurBlog too now that you people are covering up Chaifetaria!

*Winks*

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE EACH OTHER AS A PARTNER?

Vinish: We are childhood friends. We have had matching ideologies since forever. I had never believed in the concept of conventional education and stereotype professions. So when I saw Shubh following his heart and pursuing a career in writing and restaurant businesses, it gave me a push. I always knew that we are so likeminded that working with him will never be difficult.

Shubh: My cafes were going great. But I always had a great desire to create a brand in India. When a friend comes up with such an innovative proposal which has never been in this country before, we know that the desire is close enough to come true.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION PLANS AND ACTUAL CAREER GOALS IN LIFE?

Vinish: I am a 2nd Year B.Com dropout. I love wrestling and travelling. I have never believed in the concept of education but have always wanted to be someone who could learn things out of real life experiences. I also travelled from Udaipur to Shimla via Gujarat in 21 days without any money for the same purpose.

I want to make travelling, meeting new people and exploring life my career.

You see, Journey for some people, is destination

Shubh: Right now I am totally satisfied with what I am doing. I have completed my bachelors in English and now after completing MA English, I would like to do my PhD. The fixed plan is to get retired at the age of 30.

Ignoring the rush hour of this world, Shubh wants to taste the life.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR VENTURE IS GETTING MUCH MORE POPULAR THAN THE OTHER SAME SIZED FAST FOOD JOINTS?

Vinish: Of course because of my Wi-Fi idea. *Shubh & Vinish share smiles*. Moreover, the kind of hygiene we maintain is nearly impossible to be found at a kiosk in this city. People won’t see a contaminated person serving at our place or any unpleasant host. Me and My co-founder make everything ourselves and greet everyone with hospitality.

Being nice to customers or to anyone is not difficult at all, but still this is one rare thing in the universe.

Shubh: I totally agree to my founder 😉 but also I think because the kind of tea flavors you get over here are scarce. This makes us distinguished. There is almost something for each individual coming. We have best alternatives for traditional breakfast. Corn Flakes, different kinds of bun sandwiches, multiple flavored beverages and a lot of different items which are basic but essential are made available in minutes.

ANY FURTHER ENHANCEMENT OR ADDITIONS YOU BOTH ARE PLANNING TO MAKE IN CHAIFETARIA?

Vinish: Yess! Seeing the embracing welcome, we are planning to open up 2nd outlet in the city soon. We really want to make good quality and economic fast food and beverages available to the city, especially youth.

Shubh: I believe if you provide a good service and place then the people are going to like it always. So now we will also come up with an entire new menu additional to the present one for summers.

It looks like this summer is going to bring up new sugars & spices. ☺

HOW YOU THINK GETTING STARTED WITH THIS VENTURE DIFFICULT?

Vinish: Convincing people about this idea was a tedious task. But later when this idea came into existence, we witnessed some customers who were very critical about the fact that we being educated were still working on kiosk.

People want to kill you, kiss you or be you!

Shubh: I love kitchen and cooking, so regarding this, things were quite cool. But finding the right location, getting its possession and majorly getting man power was difficult. But I think me and Vinish were enough to handle all this with obviously support of our friends.

But the worst part is, all the pretty girls call you Bhaiyya over here 😉

LASTLY, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES OF CHAIFETERIA. ALSO MENTION YOUR FAVORITE DELICACIES?

Vinish: I am very particular about sterility. This is what is offered here which I am very fond of. And tea or caffeine and Wi-Fi are the need of the hour, which are very nicely served by us. Idea of serving basic requirements convinces me.

My favorites are Hari-Mirch chai, Irani chai and nutella bun.

Shubh: I love this completely because we are the only local joint which is also a merchandised line. You can buy packs of Green tea leaves, Chocolate tea leaves, Black tea homemade Chai Masala, Banana chips, Potato chips and Chocolate chips here.

My dearests are Chocolate Chai and Maggi bun.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING INTO THIS VENTURE?

Vinish: One of the main reasons I dote over tours is that because they make me meet so many new people. We learn new ideas, how each individual is different from another, how people get along, how they get against; these things always held me curiosity.

I knew this venture will make me meet so many new people each day that this will never get boring.

#IHopeSo ☺

Shubh: Cooking ☺ As I said previously, I am fond of making eatables and writing. Chafetaria has given me a daily opportunity to cook, which I completely enjoy. Also meeting new people, recognizing them, exchanging experiences and views, gives me a broader perspective towards life and world for my writing.

Udaipurites, Do visit this place. Trust me; it’s something which you have never ever seen before in this city. Experience it! Live It! Love It!

Location: Near Happinezz Parlour, Sukhadia Circle

Article by: Nida Khan

In 2014 UdaipurBlog introduces a new notion to the entrepreneurship eco-system of Udaipur – “Envisioning Lakecity as a Business Hub”

This is an initiative in which entrepreneurs of the city get the chance to be known by the local community.

Successful entrepreneurs offer a lot of benefits not just to the economy but the society as a whole. With the ever increasing number of successful entrepreneurs, they are inspiring other people to push for their goals too.

They are liberators of our economy. UB instigates the aim to bring forward these high achievers and benefactors of society in presence of our readers.

To begin with ‘Power of Women’ is paramount affair prevailing worldwide. Therefore we commence this section – called “Intro Entrepreneurs” – interviewing the very young, talented, and trendy and at the same time devoted to her roots – Nimisha Soni the owner of ‘Awesome Contemporary Clothing’.

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Awesome Contemporary Clothing is a boutique in Udaipur, which needs no introduction. They have been into this business from last 7 years.

As I enter the store, I notice the readymade section filled with bright striking outfits. When I move further, I see Mrs. Padma Soni and her daughter Nimisha handling their clients with utmost patience and smiles on their faces..!

Details related to the venture –

‘Awesome’ was a small initiative taken by Mrs. Padma Soni and her daughter Nimisha Soni, 7 years back, with a very basic intention of staying busy. They had absolutely no divination about the future of the business. But their hard work and creativity paid off and today we see ‘Awesome’ emerging as one of the boutique providing customized clothing in Udaipur.

Something about Mrs. Padma Soni –

Mrs. Padma Soni is a very simple woman with a strong determination and passion for her business. She started this venture with 21 designer pieces in her drawing room. In spite being into this business for all these years, she has never compromised with her family life or social responsibilities and has maintained a very good balance between the two. She is a down to earth woman who is much attached to her traditions and moral values while, on the other hand she is equally efficient in taking business decisions and handling finance affairs. When I ask her about ‘Awesome’, she says, “The main motive was to stay occupied in something creative all day long. Slowly and gradually word of mouth publicity played a positive role in bringing our boutique into limelight and people started to come to know about ‘Awesome’.”

Something about Nimisha Soni –

Nimisha Soni was a 19 year old B.Com aspirant when she accompanied her mother in this venture. For 3 years she struggled together with her mother in establishing the boutique and prepared for higher studies simultaneously. Later she got selected for Masters of Fashion Management (MFM) by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). Her project for ‘Visual Merchandising at Ratans, Jaipur’ was highly appreciated and she topped with an eminent 10 percentile. Nimisha also got an opportunity to work with the designer duo Shyamal and Bhumika. After the course, she was placed at Bhartiya International, Delhi, but she chose to come back to Udaipur instead and joined her mother to expand the business, which she has done with maximal sincerity and dedication. She is also a very good dancer and has won many prizes in inter school and inter college competitions at national level. Every year, she is invited by NIFT, Gandhinagar to address and enlighten the freshers about the opportunities of being an entrepreneur post their MFM course.

When I ask about ‘Awesome’, she says, “Many people opposed my decision of coming back to Udaipur and not joining a prominent establishment in a metro city, after graduation. They tried to convince me against my decision that it might affect my career graph in the long run. But looking back at my decision, I do not regret it at all. In fact, I feel more confident as a person with a lot of patience and capability to handle high level of workload and stress at the very same time.”

Struggles –

If you are creative, you can surmise a design, but you need thoroughly trained workers to properly execute your imagination drawn on a sheet of paper. The main struggle at the time was to search for efficient workers and to source the raw materials. Even today we remember the day when we started the business without having a single worker. But slowly and gradually we got a better staff and because of them we were able to deliver better products each day. Even today, the search for skilled workers is still on. Now, after 7 years, the main challenge is to complete the orders in time because we are totally dependent on our workers for each and every task from production to delivery.

Sometimes you have to overlook your personal life, fun, interests and all such affairs to be able to fulfil your professional demands and yes, we do get tired by the end of the day, but a single call or a message of appreciation from your happy and satisfied client can make your day worth it…!!

Strengths –

Our clients are our main strength who have always supported us and cooperated with us. We respect the level of their trust and faith in our work. And not to forget another major strength of ours – that is our team of workers who work day and night with utmost dedication to complete the orders for us.

What have you learnt from the business apart from business..?

The first thing required when we start any business is patience and here I mean a lot of patience to handle the workers and also the clients. There is a huge difference before and after the business because here we have to deal with people of all interests daily. Each individual has his or her own nature, behaviour and ways to tackle things. It’s important to understand their demands and respond in the appropriate manner required.

Who motivated you the most..?

The people who said that we can’t do this motivated us the most. Because proving them wrong was fun.

What differentiates you from other boutiques in Udaipur..?

Our customized concept under which we make the dresses as per our client’s budget, taste, occasion and demand. In spite of just sourcing the ready-mades from a wholesaler and selling, we design each and every piece of clothing on our own from the very basic level.

We learn something new each day and try to improve daily. Long way to go. 🙂

Address of Awesome Boutique :

“Awesome” 90-A Saheli Nagar, Opp. Saheliyon ki Badi, Udaipur 313002

Contact : 0294-2418840, 9571902353