Man who initially struggled with UPSC, IIT, IIM entrance exams, subsequently co-founded a company reaching an annual revenue of 15 billion, he is a remarkable individual exemplifying resilience and determination.
Entrepreneurship and Resilience: The Journey of Anubhav Dubey, Co-founder of Chai Sutta Bar
Updated: May 29, 2025, 06:46 AM IST
The tale of Anubhav Dubey, co-founder of the popular tea café chain, Chai Sutta Bar, embodies resilience, creativity, and passion. This ambitious entrepreneur navigated several unsuccessful attempts at the UPSC, IIT, and IIM exams, only to lead him to co-found a company now boasting an annual turnover of Rs 150 crores.
Anubhav Dubey's Background
Hailing from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, Dubey was eager to follow the traditional path charted by his father, who dreamed of him as an IAS officer. He diligently pursued this dream by appearing for the UPSC civil service exam multiple times. However, despite his diligent efforts, he failed to secure a position.
Similarly, subsequent attempts at the IIT and IIM exams did not yield favorable results. It was then that Dubey realized his destiny lay elsewhere, and he chose to nurture his entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding Chai Sutta Bar.
Establishing Chai Sutta Bar
In 2016, Dubey joined forces with his college friend Anand Nayak, investing Rs 3 lakhs to create Chai Sutta Bar. Despite the entrepreneurial duo's limited resources and lack of formal business training, their unique vision—serving traditional kulhad tea in a modernized café setting—attracted a significant following.
Their first outlet in Indore introduced a creative and innovative approach to traditional tea-drinking, serving customers in a café-bar ambiance while maintaining a smoke-free environment.
Rise to Success
What started as a small venture expanded exponentially, with operations now spanning 165 outlets across 195+ cities in India, Dubai, and Oman. Factors contributing to Chai Sutta Bar's success include its commitment to serving traditional kulhad chai in a smoke-free setting and its diverse range of 20 tea flavors. The café's soothing vibes and captivating ambiance also draw in a substantial clientele, particularly college students.
In 2024, Chai Sutta Bar's annual turnover surpassed Rs 150 crores, exemplifying how even failed attempts can pave the way to remarkable success.
References[1] Anubhav Dubey's Biographical Information[2] Early Life and Education of Anubhav Dubey[3] Anubhav Dubey's Entrepreneurial Journey and Message of Inspiration[4] The Growth and Success of Chai Sutta Bar
- Amidst his struggles with the UPSC, IIT, and IIM exams, Anubhav Dubey, the co-founder of Chai Sutta Bar, decided to switch gears, recognizing that his entrepreneurial spirit was meant for a different path.
- Despite being rooted in the traditional aspiration of becoming an IAS officer, Dubey's passion for entrepreneurship drew him away from politics and towards the environment of a small business, led by the creation of Chai Sutta Bar.
- In a surprisingly serendipitous twist, the failure in his educational pursuits played a pivotal role in shaping Dubey's career, guiding him to the world of Bollywood and eventually the exhilarating arena of business.
- As the co-founder of Chai Sutta Bar, Dubey's unique approach to the tea-drinking experience—combining the traditional with the modern—not only impacted India's finance by achieving an annual turnover of Rs 150 crores but also redefined the landscape of small-business careers.
- Soaring above the challenges, Anubhav Dubey underwent numerous rejections and setbacks in his endeavors, ultimately proving to the world that entrepreneurial spirit, backed by resilience, can shape even the most unexpected careers and propel India's economy towards growth.
