How to Launch a Business Before You Graduate School | Atharv Choudhary | Josh Talks

Summary

Atharv Chaudhary, a 16-year-old from a small town, shares his inspiring journey of turning a ₹6 lakh business into ₹60 lakh in just 15 months. Despite limited resources and marketing funds, he leveraged personal relationships with customers and innovative strategies to grow his café business. With support from his family, particularly his father, Atharv focused on creating a customer-centric brand and building trust through regular engagement. His story highlights the importance of passion, determination, and a relentless entrepreneurial spirit, proving that with the right mindset, success is achievable even in challenging circumstances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Atharv started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 16, turning ₹6 lakh into ₹60 lakh in just 15 months.
• 😀 His core belief is that while money is important, passion and determination are the true drivers of business success.
• 😀 Growing up in a business family, Atharv had a natural inclination towards entrepreneurship from a young age.
• 😀 Initially, Atharv made money by selling online products and using his earnings to buy gifts for his family, showing his early knack for business.
• 😀 Despite not having a clear business plan at first, Atharv was determined to make it as an entrepreneur and pursued opportunities.
• 😀 The idea to open a café in his small town was born from the lack of quality dining options, aiming to create a space where families could enjoy good food and time together.
• 😀 Atharv and his family invested ₹3 lakh to renovate an old warehouse into a café, with a focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere.
• 😀 Marketing the café posed a challenge due to limited funds, but Atharv used creative solutions like building contacts with influencers to spread the word without spending money.
• 😀 The café, named 'GK' (Guru Kripa), became popular due to word-of-mouth marketing and excellent customer service.
• 😀 Atharv believes that effective marketing is about treating customers well, creating a memorable experience, and maintaining strong relationships with them.
• 😀 He stresses that big investments or teams aren't necessary to succeed in business; passion, innovation, and customer focus are more important for growth.

Q & A

What motivated Atharv Chaudhary to start his own business?

Atharv was motivated by his desire to do business from a young age, influenced by his entrepreneurial family background. He wanted to create something of his own and observed his father’s work, which led him to take on business responsibilities early in life.

How did Atharv start his business journey with ₹6,000?

Atharv started with ₹6,000 by engaging in online shopping. He bought products in advance, sold them on a commission basis, and made a profit. He used the money earned from this to buy his father a mobile phone for his birthday, which marked a significant step in his entrepreneurial journey.

What idea did Atharv have for a business in his hometown, Alot?

Atharv noticed a lack of good places where people could enjoy quality food and spend time together. His idea was to open a café that catered to all age groups, from children to the elderly, offering a variety of food options.

How did Atharv secure the funds to start his café business?

Atharv approached his father and asked for ₹10 lakh to start the café. With his family’s support, they decided to invest in a rented warehouse, which was renovated to create the café space.

What marketing strategies did Atharv use to promote his café?

Atharv didn't have money for traditional marketing like flyers or templates. Instead, he leveraged social media by creating a video with a prominent personality and used word-of-mouth marketing. He also kept customers engaged by sending daily messages about special dishes and new offerings.

What was the significance of the café's name, 'GK Café'?

The name 'GK Café' was short, catchy, and memorable, making it easy for customers to recall and associate with the business. The name helped in creating strong customer retention and recognition.

How did Atharv handle the initial challenges when opening the café?

Despite limited resources, Atharv focused on creating a welcoming atmosphere, offering great customer service, and interacting directly with customers. This approach led to the café's initial success and rapid word-of-mouth promotion.

What role did customer service play in the growth of Atharv’s café?

Customer service played a crucial role. Atharv emphasized treating customers with warmth, offering a smile, and providing a good experience. This helped build loyalty and encouraged repeat visits, which contributed to the business's growth.

What key lesson did Atharv learn regarding business growth and funding?

Atharv learned that a big team or massive funding isn’t always necessary to start a business. Passion, commitment, and understanding customer needs are more important. He proved that even with limited initial capital, a business can grow through dedication and smart strategies.

How did Atharv manage to grow his business from ₹6 lakhs to ₹60 lakhs?

Atharv grew his business by focusing on customer engagement, offering personalized services, and maintaining a consistent and welcoming atmosphere. By relying on word-of-mouth and direct interaction with customers, he built a strong reputation, leading to significant growth.