The viral “Chaiguy” who left his company profession in the USA to launch a chai enterprise has opened up about his extraordinary journey in an interview. Prabhakar Prasad, popularly referred to as the “Bihari Chaiwala” or “Chaiguy”, spoke to People of Bombay about his journey from a small city in Bihar to constructing a profitable enterprise in Los Angeles.
Initially from Barh, a small city close to Patna in Bihar, Prabhakar launched a chai stall in Los Angeles after being affected by tech layoffs in February 2025. Earlier this 12 months, his story went viral as he was noticed promoting cups of tea for $8 ( ₹780) in LA.
Humble beginnings in Bihar
Chatting with People of Bombay, Prabhakar recalled his humble beginnings. “I used to be born in Barh, a small city close to the Ganga. We had been very poor,” he stated.
The household’s monetary constraints had been such that they may not even afford a blanket. In winters, they slept below dal sacks for heat. (Additionally learn: Indian-origin man dancing in entrance of World Warfare II Memorial in US deletes LinkedIn, Instagram amid fierce criticism)
Prabhakar’s father tried his hand at a number of companies, however sadly didn’t discover success. However his mother and father by no means stopped believing within the energy of training.
As a baby, Prabhakar studied at a Hindi-medium college in Bihar. “I used to be good in research, cherished cricket, singing, and even grew to become the college ‘Senapati’,” he recalled.
Nevertheless, his life modified dramatically after his brother grew to become the sufferer of a kidnapping try. “In a single day my household left Bihar and moved to Bhopal. The shift was robust,” stated the US-based Chaiguy.
Prabhkar recalled how, in Bhopal, his fellow college students would snigger at his English and his accent. “From a Bihar board college to an English CBSE one, I didn’t even perceive primary phrases. Youngsters laughed at my accent. However I labored arduous, caught up, and finally cleared the IIT screening examination,” he stated.
A profession in tech
Gaining admission to IIT modified Prabhkar’s life path. After finishing his diploma, he landed his first job in 2008. Nevertheless, the world of tech by no means actually excited him.
“However coding by no means excited me – the gymnasium did. I began coaching significantly, spending extra time there than at work. Bodybuilding grew to become my ardour,” he stated.
Eager to strive one thing new, he moved to Mumbai and began auditioning for modelling gigs. His household was lower than thrilled by this improvement, however Prabhakar saved at it.
“Actuality wasn’t glamorous – tiny flats in Andheri, lengthy audition queues, and taking on no matter work got here my method,” he advised People of Bombay.
Transferring to the USA
After a number of years, he knew he wished an even bigger change. At this level, his girlfriend was within the US.
Prabhakar determined to strive transferring to the US, however that wasn’t all clean crusing both. His visa was rejected twice. It was solely in 2014 that he was in a position to go to the US to pursue an MBA.
“My girlfriend was within the US and we had already spent years in a long-distance relationship. I made a decision to maneuver there. My visa acquired rejected twice, however the third time I lastly landed in Texas round 2014 for my MBA,” he revealed.
Life within the States was not straightforward. Prabhakar confronted isolation, a painful breakup, well being issues, and work hassle. For 10 years, he moved from one job to the opposite, from one metropolis to the following. Inside, he wasn’t glad.
“I labored company jobs, acquired fired greater than as soon as, and went via a painful breakup. At one level, my well being collapsed,” he revealed.
Beginning a chai enterprise
“There have been many days after I had no concept the place life was headed.One night time, I requested myself, “What’s the one factor that has all the time stayed fixed?” That’s when a buddy instructed chai,” he stated.
“Regardless of the town, heartbreak, or job – I all the time made my very own tea. It jogged my memory of house,” added Prabhakar. When he misplaced his job in February 2025 amid tech layoffs, the Bihar-born man turned to tea.
With barely any cash, he began promoting chai in Los Angeles, California. The sugary, Indian-style brew proved to be an enormous hit amongst Californians.
(Additionally learn: After 11 years within the US, Indian girl says she moved again house: ‘I selected uncertainty’)
His viral second got here after months of battle, when he posted a reel promoting chai in a standard Bihari type with a gamcha draped over his shoulder — a transfer he overtly describes as a “publicity stunt”. Whereas the “Chaiguy” persona struck a chord on-line, he says social media doesn’t herald any direct revenue and primarily serves as a advertising and marketing device.
Wanting again at his selections, Prabhakar displays on his journey in easy phrases: “Again then, I had more cash however much less freedom and even much less happiness. At the moment, I’ve little or no cash, however my freedom and happiness are at their peak. I’m the grasp of my very own will; I’m now not a company slave,” as quoted by AajTak.
