From Textbooks to ‘Titaura’: A Schoolboy’s Journey into Business

Let's rewind back to my school days, a time etched in memory not just for textbooks and tests, but for an unexpected entrepreneurial adventure. Picture this: a dusty village school on the outskirts, miles away from the nearest shop. We, the students, yearned for a sweet escape, a burst of flavor to break the monotony. That's where my friend Purushottam and I saw an opportunity.

Armed with a princely sum of Rs 2 each (those were the days!), we embarked on a mission: titaura. This local delicacy, a medley of sweet, sour, and salty tastes, was the perfect target. Our investment? Four rupees for titaura leaves, meticulously sliced into 24 bite-sized pieces. 

The first day was magic. The aroma of titaura wafting through the classroom was an irresistible siren song. Four pieces sold for a rupee, the entire stock vanishing in minutes. The taste of profit was sweeter than the titaura itself! Fueled by excitement, we reinvested our earnings, scaling up to 36 pieces the next day. The numbers grew, mirroring our confidence. From Rs 4 to Rs 9, our tiny business boomed.

But like any venture, ours had its hurdles. Teachers, initially amused, started frowning upon our divided attention. Friends, initially eager customers, turned into credit seekers, complicating our fledgling system. We juggled studies, sales, and managing "accounts," the weight of responsibility growing faster than our profits.

After a week, a bittersweet decision awaited. We withdrew our initial capital, pocketing a cool Rs 16 as pure profit (which we, of course, divided equally). Yet, the constant reprimands and the pressure to prioritize studies took their toll. With a mixture of pride and regret, we shut shop.

Though short-lived, this experience left an indelible mark. We learned about identifying demand, sourcing products, and the power of sales. We witnessed the thrill of profit and the responsibility that comes with it. Most importantly, we discovered the entrepreneurial spirit within ourselves, a spirit that continues to flicker even today, reminding me that every journey, however small, holds valuable lessons.

So, the next time you see a lemonade stand or a kid selling cookies, remember, that tiny venture might just be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion. And who knows, it might even inspire a blog post or two!