Of three entrepreneurs and the road less travelled

We all grow up with ambitions and a desire to make a difference. While we might know what we want to become at every stage of our life, there is still place for contemplation. And by the time we know, our lives take a different turn.

Having studied and gained professional degrees, some choose to take their own path instead of well-paying jobs at multinational companies. The story of Juhu resident Vishwesh Payal is no different. He left a cushy banking job, as he couldn’t abandon his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Now, he runs a chai stall and customers range from auto drivers to locals who have become his friends.  

“I used to come here with my office friends to have food and visit Prithvi Theatre. We had to pay too much for tea, so I thought of setting up a tea stall,” says Vishwesh. His chai costs Rs 6 and an accompanying  butter cookie Rs 5.

On befriending customers, he says it is his age that makes it easy for him to connect with people. “I wanted to do business and I think it is not about small or big but about bridging the gap, and with this tea stall I made it,” says a proud Vishwesh.

A mechanical engineer by qualification, Mulund resident Jayesh Vaity started a shawarma shop two years back. Known as the shawarma wala of the area, his delicacies sell like hot cakes.  

“I used to eat shawarma a lot during my college days and I learnt to make it at home. I had known since college that I wanted to start a business be it a small or big one,” says the 32-year-old. But Jayesh had another reason to start his own business — more money.

“I had to support my family so I started the business. I do two jobs. My other job is at the water treatment company in Mahalaxmi,” says Jayesh. But what really makes him happy are his happy customers.

Kaushal Bargotra from Jammu who moved to city around three years ago also gave up a media job to start his own venture. He now runs a business of tar filters for cigarettes that prevent smokers from inhaling 95 per cent tar. “I am a smoker and couldn’t leave the city. So there was a place for my business. I got the idea from my friend in the US while I was working,” he says.

“I always wanted to do my own business and Jammu did not have much opportunities. I was enjoying my job but a year back it was a right time to live my dream,” he concludes.