From Siliguri to a Chai Empire: How a Women Entrepreneur Brew a Successful Tea selling brand CHAIOM

From Siliguri to a Chai Empire: How a Women Entrepreneur Brew a Successful Tea selling brand CHAIOM

Sipping her steaming cup of Darjeeling, Payalh Aggarwal reminisces about her journey from a small-town girl with big dreams to a leading name in the Indian tea industry. In 2017, armed with nothing but ambition and a passion for chai, Payalh left the familiar comfort of Siliguri for the bustling capital, New Delhi, with a dream to establish a tea brand that would touch the lives of millions.

Ms. Aggarwal’s venture, Zolina Express Pvt Ltd, launched its flagship brand, ChaiOm, initially offering just one variety of tea. Despite her two decades of experience in the beverage industry, Payalh found the early days challenging, describing them as “daunting” due to a lack of clear direction. It was then that she discovered the Gaurav Bhagat Academy (GBA) and its founder, India’s 10X sales expert. The courses on time management and sales cycles offered by GBA became the catalyst for Payalh’s budding enterprise.

Transformed by these new insights, ChaiOm evolved into a diverse brand, expanding its product line to include a range of specialty teas and introducing Madhom, an artisanal tea gifting sister brand. ChaiOm’s success soared, with its products now featured on Amazon and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), reaching customers nationwide.

Beyond financial success, Payalh is proud of how ChaiOm sustained a positive EBITDA through the pandemic, a testament to the brand’s resilience and strategic planning. Her passion for tea is not just about business growth but also about creating societal impact. Looking ahead, Payalh envisions launching a “Chai Academy” and hosting a tea-centric talk show to deepen appreciation for tea across India.

For budding entrepreneurs and women professionals, Payalh shares her key lessons and learnings, saying, “Resilience, focused learning, and crafting a narrative that connects deeply with our customers have been the cornerstones of our success. What continually drives me isn’t just my passion for tea but my commitment to making a meaningful difference and nurturing a brand that resonates on a personal level with people. Scaling from a few packets to thousands of boxes was not a simple feat. Initially, I knew I wanted to climb higher but lacked clear strategies for growth and networking. Thanks to the targeted modules and personal coaching from the Gaurav Bhagat Academy, and strategic support from Consortium Gifts, we’ve not only expanded our reach but also our product range, ensuring that there’s no looking back for us now.”
As for the future of ChaiOm, Payalh plans to continue innovating and inspiring, one cup of tea at a time.