When Delhi’s Nitin Saluja quit his corporate job to start this thriving tea startup

In the dynamic landscape of business leadership, many individuals are paving their way to success with determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Chaayos co-founder Nitin Saluja stands as a shining example of this journey, transforming a simple idea into a thriving tea-based enterprise with a net worth of Rs 2051 crore.

Born and brought up in Delhi, Nitin studied Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and later worked as a management consultant at Opera Solutions in the USA for over five years. Despite a successful corporate career, Nitin dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. His passion for tea and prior experience as co-founder of robotics-based education company Think Labs fueled his desire to start something unique.

Facing initial opposition from his father, Nitin ventured into entrepreneurship with college classmate Raghav Verma. In November 2012, he opened the first Chaayos Café in Gurugram. What started as a simple venture has now turned into a huge success with 200 cafes under its banner.

The idea behind Chaayos was to provide a haven for tea lovers, allowing them to experiment with flavors and customize their tea in over 12,000 diverse ways. Adopting the tagline ‘Experiment with Tea’, Chaayos redefined the traditional tea experience. Nitin’s mission was to blend history with innovation, a goal that resonated well with patrons, hitting almost all of their tastes.

Despite initial hurdles including a busy market and operational challenges, Nitin’s persistence and hard work propelled Chaayos to not only survive but also excel in the competitive market. The menu, curated by Nithin and Raghav, goes beyond tea, with innovative food offerings like Thepla Tacos and Palak Patta Crispy.

Nitin Saluja’s journey from a corporate role to the head of Chaayos reflects the success that can be achieved through passion, innovation and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled customer experience. With a rich net worth and a growing number of cafes, Chaayos remains a shining example of entrepreneurial success in the business landscape.