When Sanjith Konda House left for Australia to study business administration, he seldom imagined he would drop the course and start his business there. The 22-year-old, who is known for his ‘Dropout Chaiwala’ tea stall in Melbourne, says his parents were initially shocked to know about this.
But, Sanjith, a tea lover since childhood, was confident. So, when an opportunity to launch a startup was presented before him, he did not think twice. Sanjith brought about a tea joint in a city that is the world’s coffee capital. His business is located in Melbourne’s busy CBD (Central Business District) area Elizabeth Street.
Sanjith’s business clicked for its unique servings. If ‘Bombay Cutting’ is Indians’ favourite, Australians love the Indian ‘masala chai’ and ‘pakodas.’ He has also introduced experimental beverages like fusion green tea and chaipuccino.
How did he find the money for his business? Asrar, an NRI, became an angel investor for his startup. If all goes well, the Dropout Chaiwala would hit the 1 million AUD (about Rs 5.2 crore) mark next month.
Sanjith is a native of Nellore. In the shop, he employs Indian students who do part-time jobs. Sanjith says it is not the degree that he looks for, he wants dedication and hard work. His current plan is to start the second outlet in Melbourne. His long-term goal is to spread his business across Australian cities.
