26/03/2021
Repost from I started Kadak Tea on the first day of Navratri 2020. It was difficult because of covid cases and prevailing curfew. However, we managed to build around the problems. We make live tea based on the customer preferences because we believe everyone has that one taste they get a kick from, and that is what Kadak tea aims to provide them. We have various flavours from elaichi to mint. We got an overwhelming response in merely three months and even got support from the Ahmedabad police. People are usually inclined towards starting cafes or coffee ventures, but I wanted to go for something different.
Of course, there is a lot of struggle. Initially, I had to change staff a lot because I wanted them to learn exactly what I knew when it came to making tea and handling customers. There were times I had to open the stall myself. Now, I have a permanent staff who handles the stall. We start functioning around 5:30-6 in the evening and close it at 9. I run the stall after I finish my job hours. I started a stall on a road rather than a café because conventionally, people wouldn’t prefer going into cafes to drink tea. But even with a traditional manner, I thought of fusion teas. It is located on Sindhu Bhawan road, and I am the sole founder. Now, we have moved to Taste Temple, a foodcourt due to the updated AMC regulations. We even plan to introduce new flavours from the first of April.
Sometimes people ask me why I was serving them? I feel pride in saying that because it is my venture. Because I speak fluently in English, people ask me about my life. When I tell them that I am heading Pan India recruitments for one technology company on a 20 lakh package and yet running this stall, they feel surprised. But it is my passion, and everyone so far has encouraged and supported me. Of course, because it is a business, I do look into profit, but I don’t worry about it because I want to build my brand value first. Being a single mother, my son and my parents have been equally supportive.
“If you have a zeal, you will figure out ways to pursue it.”