While most students spend their post-board-exam break relaxing or planning for college, two teenagers from Surat decided to do something different. Instead of taking time off, they used their summer holidays to build a business from scratch.
According to The Better India, Class 12 graduates Shreyanshu Rana and Pratham Pengawala turned a simple school fair idea into a thriving cold coffee venture that has already generated between Rs 1.18 lakh and Rs 1.58 lakh in revenue within a few months.
How Did the Coffee Business Start?
The idea began during a school fair where the duo sold around 150 cups of cold coffee. The response surprised them and made them realise there could be a bigger opportunity.
Rather than letting the idea fade away after the event, they decided to take it seriously. After completing their Class 12 exams, the friends started working on a business plan and explored ways to bring premium cold coffee to students at affordable prices.
What followed was the launch of their own coffee venture called Aes The Thick Coffee.
Why Did They Choose a Coffee Cart Instead of a Café?
Opening a café requires a significant investment, high rent and additional operational costs. The teenagers decided to take a more practical route.
As reported by The Better India, they invested nearly Rs 90,000 and designed a customised open-air coffee cart from scratch. The cart was set up opposite Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in Surat, where there was a steady flow of students and young customers.
Their goal was simple: offer thick, café-style cold coffee without charging café-level prices.
What Happened on Their First Day?
Like most new businesses, the first day came with uncertainty. The young entrepreneurs reportedly sold around 30 to 35 bottles of coffee on the opening day. While the numbers were modest, they continued serving customers consistently and focused on building trust through quality and affordability.
Gradually, word spread among students and local residents, helping the business attract repeat customers.
Building a Loyal Customer Base
One of the biggest reasons behind the venture's success has been its focus on customers. Operating every day from 5:30 PM until midnight, the founders made sure they were available during peak evening hours when students and young professionals typically look for refreshments.
The coffee cart quickly became a popular stop for people looking for a budget-friendly alternative to expensive coffee chains.
Revenue Reaches Up to Rs 1.58 Lakh
What started as a holiday experiment soon turned into a successful small business. According to The Better India, the venture has generated between Rs 1.18 lakh and Rs 1.58 lakh in revenue in less than three months.
For two students who had only recently completed their board exams, the achievement highlights the potential of combining creativity, planning and hard work.
What Makes Their Story Stand Out?
Many students wait until college or employment to begin thinking about careers. Shreyanshu and Pratham took a different approach.
Instead of spending their holidays scrolling through social media or waiting for admission results, they identified an opportunity, invested their savings and built a business around it.
Their journey shows that entrepreneurship does not always require a large office, expensive equipment or years of experience. Sometimes, a simple idea and the willingness to take action can be enough to get started.
A Lesson in Young Entrepreneurship
The success of Aes The Thick Coffee shows that age is no barrier when it comes to entrepreneurship. By identifying a gap in the market and acting on an idea they believed in, two teenagers built a profitable venture even before starting college.
As reported by The Better India, what began as a simple school fair experiment has grown into a promising business, proving that with the right idea, determination and hard work, success can come much earlier than expected.
