From Zero to CEO

Rohan Mehta wasn’t born into business. He came from Bhavanipur, a small, dusty village in India where opportunities were rare and dreams were often set aside for survival. His father fixed bicycles, his mother sold homemade pickles, and the family lived modestly—but they believed in education.

From a young age, Rohan showed curiosity that went beyond the classroom. He spent afternoons repairing broken radios, borrowing books, and teaching himself computers on a secondhand desktop his father bought after years of saving.

When he turned 18, Rohan moved to Mumbai with 2,000 in his pocket and a head full of ambition. Life in the city wasn’t easy—he worked night shifts at a call center, sent money home, and tried to build something of his own. Over the next few years, he failed more times than he could count.

He tried launching a blog, an online tutoring site, an organic soap business, and a food delivery app. None of them lasted more than a few months. “That makes it 27 failed ideas,” he once told a friend. By the time he hit 100, he had a thick notebook titled ‘What I Won’t Do Again.’ But Rohan never stopped trying.

One monsoon morning, standing outside a packed train station, Rohan noticed something. A tea vendor was swarmed by office-goers and students. People wanted something quick, strong, and warm before work—but many craved better quality than roadside chai.

That afternoon, an idea brewed in his mind: a clean, fast, mobile coffee cart designed for daily commuters. He called it “Grind & Go.”

Rohan borrowed 1.5 lakh from a retired schoolteacher who believed in him. He bought an old pushcart, a used espresso machine, and supplies for a month. He painted the cart by hand, scribbled the logo himself, and set up near a metro station.

The first day, he sold 3 cups. On the second, 5. On the third, rain kept customers away. But Rohan didn’t quit. He asked customers what they liked, took notes, and added almond milk, sugar-free options, and quick-grab snacks. Slowly, the crowd returned.

By the end of the second month, he was selling 80+ cups a day.

He hired a friend from Bhavanipur to manage a second cart. Then a third. He didn’t expand recklessly—he studied foot traffic, tested times, and kept the brand approachable. He also shared his journey online—highlighting the behind-the-scenes hustle, customer shout outs, and early morning routines.

His following grew. People admired the humble coffee cart with heart. Within 18 months, Grind & Go had five carts across Mumbai. He introduced biodegradable cups, partnered with local farmers for beans, and launched a basic mobile app for pre-orders.

Then came the big break: a college student posted a short video of Rohan’s journey. It went viral. Suddenly, investors, news outlets, and even food chains were calling.

But Rohan wasn’t just chasing profits—he wanted purpose. He launched a program training unemployed youth to run their own carts under the Grind & Go brand, giving them a livelihood and a future.

Three years after it all began, Rohan returned to Bhavanipur and opened a special cart outside the village bus stand. He named it “The First Brew”, honoring where it all started.

From village boy to CEO of a growing coffee company, Rohan had redefined what success looked like—not in dollars, but in impact.

Rohan’s Message

“People talk about overnight success,” he says. “But my success was built on a hundred failures. Every time something didn’t work, I learned. Every no brought me closer to a yes.”

He smiles, holding a steaming cup in his hand. “If you’ve failed more than once—good. That means you’re trying. Keep going. One day, your grind will get you there".