When Side Hustles Become Success Stories
Happy Friday! You’ve made it to the end of the week. So, sit back and relax, but also remember:
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success
So, as we wrap up the week, take a moment to celebrate your achievements, big and small!
Now, let’s get started…
Ever thought that your side project – the one you tinker with after work or on weekends – could turn into something big?
Today, I’ve got a handful of amazing stories to share with you, all about Indian entrepreneurs who started with little side hustles that grew into massive, full-time successes. Trust me, these journeys are the real deal, showing how an idea that starts small can become a game-changer with a little (or a lot of) determination.
⚠️ Hold On
If yes, drop us a mail at 📩 bharatinc@todays.world.
Now, let’s dive in!
📌 Sleepy Owl Coffee
Three friends – Ashwajeet Singh, Arman Sood, and Ajai Thandi – were dissatisfied with the quality of on-the-go coffee available in India. In 2016, they began brewing their own cold coffee at home, aiming to create a convenient and high-quality coffee experience. Their brews quickly gained popularity among friends and strangers alike, leading to the birth of Sleepy Owl Coffee.
Starting from a two-bedroom apartment in Delhi’s Dwarka, the trio launched Sleepy Owl as a direct-to-consumer cold brew coffee brand. Their innovative approach included packaging cold brew in a bag-in-box format, similar to wine packaging, and delivering it fresh to customers' doorsteps.
Over time, Sleepy Owl expanded its product line to include hot brew options, drip coffee bags, and ready-to-drink bottled beverages. By 2020, the company claimed to have about 60,000 consumers and had its products sold across more than 1,000 retail outlets in Delhi and Mumbai, accounting for about 40% of their business.
📌 The Whole Truth Foods
Shashank Mehta’s journey to founding The Whole Truth Foods started with a personal fitness goal. As a former marketing executive at Hindustan Unilever, Shashank knew the ins and outs of the business world, but it was during his own fitness journey that he realized something crucial – the lack of truly healthy snacks that were free from hidden ingredients.
In 2019, he decided to take matters into his own hands and created The Whole Truth Foods. His mission? To offer clean, transparent snacks with 100% clean-label ingredients. No gimmicks, no additives – just real food that anyone could trust. And the best part? Health-conscious consumers were quick to jump on board, loving the brand’s commitment to quality and honesty.
By 2022, the brand had expanded beyond its initial offerings, introducing everything from protein bars to nut butters, chocolate bars, and even muesli. The Whole Truth Foods was becoming a go-to choice for anyone looking for snacks that were as good for the body as they were for the soul.
And in 2023, Shashank took it a step further by launching TruthGPT, an AI-powered tool designed to give people accurate, no-nonsense information about food and fitness. This move didn’t just add value to their customers – it solidified The Whole Truth Foods as a trusted voice in the health and wellness industry.
📌 boAt
Let’s talk about boAt – one of India’s most popular audio brands today. But here’s the thing: It didn’t start as some big corporate dream. It began as a passion project by two friends, Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta, who were just frustrated by the audio options available in India. They wanted high-quality, stylish audio products, but without paying through the nose. They knew there had to be a better way, so they decided to create boAt.
What started with a few earphones quickly snowballed into a full-fledged product lineup, including headphones, wireless speakers, and even smartwatches. These weren’t just any audio products; boAt managed to combine cutting-edge tech with bold, eye-catching designs, making them the go-to choice for the young, tech-savvy crowd. And here’s the kicker: They did it all without the insane price tags that most premium brands come with.
Their journey hasn’t just been about creating great products – it’s been about building a community. boAt has turned into a lifestyle brand, with millions of loyal fans (or should I say, “boAtheads”?). They’ve tapped into the culture of music, fashion, and tech in a way few brands have.
So, these stories are proof that with some hard work and a whole lot of belief, your side gig could be the next big thing.
That’s it for today! I will be back again next week 👋
