Failure in UPSC exam led me to success: A start-up co-founder shares his inspiring journey

Anubhav Dubey, the co-founder of Chai Sutta Bar, recently shared his personal journey about how repeated failures in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams eventually led him to a successful business venture. 

In an emotional post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Dubey opened up about his struggles with self-doubt and how a shift in mindset helped him turn his life around.

Dubey’s Inspiring Post

Reflecting on his younger years, Dubey shared that he never received any awards or recognition, especially up until the age of 25.

Taking to X he wrote, "This is for those who haven’t received any award or recognition in their life. Till the age of 25, I hadn’t received a single award. I was a backbencher. Awards and certificates never meant anything to me."

As his dreams of becoming a civil servant seemed out of reach, Dubey turned to his friend, Anand Nayak, and discussed a business idea.

"Being an average student and not excelling at anything, I was afraid before starting Chai Sutta Bar. The thought of ‘What if I fail at this too?’ kept haunting me. But this time, I had a different mindset. I was more serious, and I was ready to put all my time, effort, and energy into it. And it paid off," he shared.

Through this experience, Dubey shared a powerful lesson- lack of recognition or awards doesn't mean one is incapable. "Maybe success comes from a different direction," he said, adding, "The key is to never stop trying."

About Chai Sutta Bar

Chai Sutta Bar, founded in 2016 by Dubey and Nayak, along with later partner Rahul Patidar, started as a humble project in Madhya Pradesh. Today, it is one of the most popular tea brands in the country, and a testament to perseverance and believing in oneself.