Faryal Ahmed

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Faryal, the heart and soul behind Chai Street & Co. I started this as a chai pop-up to build community and connection through Pakistani hospitality with an authentic cup of chai that felt like a hug in a mug in North Carolina. Now almost a year and a half later, I'm traveling to different cities to make chai and we've done 40+ pop-ups!

What did it take/how did you get started?

I started making chai for my friends and family whenever they came over because chai itself was a ritual for Pakistani people and the idea was to introduce my culture to people around me. I also hated going into coffee shops and seeing people order a 'chai tea' where baristas would just add a sugary syrup or a concentrate that tasted nothing like real chai. First of all 'chai tea' is just tea tea! Second, chai is supposed to be good for you because of the antioxidant properties of fresh spices! Lastly, I don't think I was ready for how many hours of sleep I was gonna lose in the first year...however, it was totally worth it.

What does the future look like for you and your business?

The long-term goal is to have multiple chai shops that can feel like a home away from home for our Chai Street neighbors! Right now we are focusing on continuing to build the brand with our services and products as well as grow our team with the rapid growth we've had that I never expected honestly. We just made our first big purchase and bought a cute camper for our events + pop-ups! We're super excited to roll that trailer out in 2025!

What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?

Everyone's first sip keeps me motivated! I love seeing their reactions because I know they're not expecting anything super special and they are always surprised by how good it tastes.

What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?

Be clear on the experience you want to create for your customers and be consistent with it! Also, do your homework with all the permits and regulations with what you're doing! There's a lot of work that happens behind the scenes nobody will see like the super early mornings or late nights and being prepared for it can help of course, but I think your passion will get you through those days because you wear many hats when it comes to this field.

What has been the hardest part of your business journey?

For me, it probably had to be not realizing how much physical labor went into it and the different hats I might have to wear simultaneously with the fear of burnout.

How have you managed burnout thus far?

Burnout is tough, but I’ve learned to manage it by recognizing when I’m reaching my limit and taking a break before it becomes overwhelming. Stepping away, even briefly, allows me to reset and return with more focus and energy. Everyone has heard this, but it really is about finding a balance between managing your work and life. Knowing when to decline additional events is crucial because, even if you’re capable of handling them, it’s important to ensure you can give your 100%!

What are a few resources that you'd recommend?

I was lucky to find a free business program in my town called LaunchApex where you are matched with a mentor, a community of local entrepreneurs, and a program to help you come up with your business plan. I highly recommend finding something similar in your town or city to join. It really helps build your network along with pushing you to achieve the goals you set for yourself with a group of folks that are in similar positions!

The STATS

List the founders‍

Faryal Ahmed and Ammad Quraishi‍

How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?‍

It can vary from 50-90 hours a week!‍

# of Employees?‍

0‍

When did you start?‍

July 2023‍

How much did it cost to launch?‍

Under $5K‍

What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?‍

So far all of it has been through personal savings and grants‍

Annual revenue?‍

Not provided.‍

Projected revenue?‍

Not provided.‍

What's the #1 thing you need right now?‍

Right now, the #1 thing I need is raising money! Additional funding would help us expand and enhance the business, allowing for improvements in operations and marketing.