Arvind Tengse: Recently, during the Chefs Conference held in South Goa, I tasted ‘Aiyar's Filter Coffee'. Its taste reminded me of my childhood days, when my father and I used to come to Margao and drink coffee. That's when I decided that people will enjoy this taste. Accordingly, I spoke with the Director of Aiyar Coffee, Karthik Aiyar, and then things started to fall into place. I told the company to allot me a franchisee and to enable me to open multi-outlets to which they agreed. Thereafter, I signed a franchisee agreement with Desi Foods Goa (India), which is involved in the marketing of various Indian masalas and authentic filter coffee powder.
TG: Why only coffee business?
AT: When I was a member of the Press Council of India, I got the opportunity to visit all states of India. At that time, I realised that there are coffee drinkers in every State, who prefer filter coffee. In Goa too, people ask for filter coffee.
TG: Why this shift from journalism to business?
AT: During the course of my association with journalism for more than two decades, I could never devote much time to my family. The job satisfaction, which I used to derive 26 years back in journalism, does not exist today. I came out of active journalism and started this venture so that I can get satisfaction. When a customer tells me that the coffee is good, I get immense satisfaction.
TG: What is your customer profile?
AT: It ranges from the labour class to officers.
TG: What about the employment prospects in this business?
AT: This business offers good opportunities for the unemployed. If they have premises, I can install the entire equipment without the concerned youth investing anything. A sale of 200 cups per day offers monthly earnings ranging anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, which works out to daily earning of Rs 500 or so.
TG: What are your future plans?
AT: I plan to open two more outlets within a span of 20 days. One in Margao and another at Colva.
