Do you know the best feeling in the world is getting paid to do what you love?
But, how many of us are actually blessed with such a job?
Each one of us have a dream or a passion for something, I had a dream to open up a Tapri, a standard term used in Mumbai where people can buy Tea and Coffee. I was passionate about preparing tea.
You may be surprised knowing how come someone is passionate about preparing tea. I was not only passionate about preparing tea, but also I am a total tea and coffee addict.
Since my childhood, when I was just 12 or 13 yrs old, I started preparing tea for my family, they were very much impressed with the tea that I had prepared for them, and then it became my regular routine to prepare tea. First for my family then relatives then friends, everybody started appreciating me and that appreciation was the seed that I had planted on my head from the young age.
I still remember those nights when I use to discuss with my younger brother about my dream of opening up a tapri. It’s been more than 12 years and still the talks remain afresh.
At that time I was just dreaming about pursuing my passion since I was studying and I had no money either. I thought once I will complete my graduation I will start it, but, when I completed my graduation in Computer Engineering, I started thinking about the pain and efforts that my parents had put both emotionally and financially in helping me in completing my engineering, I had no option but to start hunting for a job instead of a place for opening up my dream venture. I got into digital marketing since I was very bad in coding, after working for more than 3 years, I thought this is the right time to pursue what I love, I started working on my dream venture, now it was no more a tapri, but, a standard tapri, where everyone and anyone can come to have a cup of tea and coffee.
This time I started hunting for a place to open up a café. Finally, I got a place in Chembur, with a budget that I had in mind.
Since it was completely bootstrapped, I had to save money wherever I can from interiors to machines, I tried to save money wherever I can. The day finally arrived, 6th March 2016, the opening day of my dream venture ‘Steamy Mugs’, with a tagline ‘…filled with goodness’, I ensured my café delivers everything that is filled with goodness.
We have some great book collections for our customers who like to read books, Free wifi if someone is interested in working from my café, Soothing music with a decent ambiance.
We completed 1 year and just learning loads of things in this new path I have chosen to travel. Within this 1 year, what makes me happier is the testimonials that my customers give after having something at my café.
These testimonials are the most precious thing that I am going to cherish forever, I really don’t know where this new path will lead me, but, I will not regret when I get old and I will be always glad I had the courage to open up something that I had always dreamt off.
I just believe in one thing, we just got one life to live, do what you love, live for what you love.
Follow your passion, we just need to take the first step in pursuing our dream, ensuring you are giving your 100% at what you do.
Be Passionate Forever.
-Prem Vellaiyan
Featured Image courtesy: Facebook
(As submitted to IndiStart.com. If you are interested to publish your StartUp story or blog related to startups, please check in here:- Submit StartUp Story)
