At a lively farmers’ market in Los Angeles, amid stalls selling organic vegetables, baked goods, and artisanal products, one stall often draws an unusually large crowd. The attraction is not just the steaming cups of fragrant chai but the man behind them—popularly known as Chaiguy. Dressed in a ‘baniyan’ with a traditional Bihari gamcha draped around his neck, he greets customers with a warm smile and lively conversation as he pours freshly brewed desi chai. His infectious energy, delicious chai, and charming mannerisms have earned him a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.To put it briefly, he is an engineer, a model, an actor, and now an entrepreneur. His journey has been filled with both struggles and remarkable rises, making his story one of resilience and transformation. Prabkahar Prasad is a software engineer by profession and even though he came to the US to be with his childhood sweet heart, it is here that he finally found his calling.
In his native town Badh (Bihar)
His story begins in Baadh, a small town in Bihar.“My father had a business of pulses. Everything was going well until an attempt was made by goons to kidnap my brother. This incident scared my father so much that he decided to shift base, and we moved to Katni in Madhya Pradesh.My brother and I were admitted to an English-medium school, and life changed suddenly. With a Bihari accent and very little knowledge of English, life became really tough. I almost went into mute mode for months because the moment I opened my mouth, the kids would laugh at me.”Being a good student, he worked hard to learn English and passed his CBSE exams with good marks.
“When I was in 12th grade, I became passionate about getting into IIT. I worked day and night and even cleared the screening, but couldn’t make it through the mains. I had worked so hard for so long that it was difficult to accept. When I got into the Institute of Engineering and Technology in Indore, it felt like an easy catch. Deep in my heart, I knew that if I worked that hard, I could achieve anything.”While in engineering college, Prabhakar started focusing on his health. He joined a gym and got into bodybuilding.
“In 2008, I got my first job at a multinational firm in Pune as a software engineer. I worked there for a year. One day—I still remember, it was a Tuesday—I decided not to go to work. The office called to ask if I was unwell, but I told them I couldn’t continue anymore. I was bored and had realized early on that coding was not my cup of tea.”Meanwhile, he started modeling and even won a popular men’s beauty pageant. This opened new opportunities, and he began earning well.“Life was smooth until I got a film offer and had a ‘casting couch’ kind of experience for the first time. I understood that the ladder ahead was filled with compromises I didn’t want to make, so I stepped back.”
Around the same time, his school-time girlfriend had moved to the US, and he longed to be with her. He cleared the GMAT, took a loan, and moved to the US.“As luck would have it, we broke up in the third month. I was heartbroken for some time, but gradually moved on. I found a corporate job, and life was stable, though not fulfilling—until I had a near-death experience.”“When doctors told me to inform my family, I wondered whom I should call. Those people were living their lives and would continue to do so—it was I who was in this situation-suffering alone. That moment changed me completely.”He went into depression, and while planning to return to India, the pandemic struck.
“I had time and a restless mind. I started searching for answers and read several books, including Autobiography of a Yogi. From it, I learned the importance of a guru in spiritual guidance. My search led me to the teachings of Maharshi Mehi Paramhans. I found many of my answers there, and his ashram in Bhagalpur, Bihar became my annual pilgrimage.”“One day, I decided to give up all inhibitions and do what I truly loved. I was not an engineer, not an actor, not a model—so who was I? What could I do with joy? I realized I loved tea.”“And that’s when the idea struck—why not start something of my own with tea?”He began researching deeply, consulted an Ayurvedic doctor, studied the American palate, and eventually created a consistent formula for his chai.
“But selling chai wasn’t easy. The paperwork alone felt tougher than the IIT exam. However, I received immense support from my friend Amit Bhaiya, who is now an integral part of my chai business.”“Today, I earn close to $500 in weekly farmer’s market. The best part of this profession is that I get to meet so many people. I’ve also started receiving corporate orders. I maintain the highest quality. For example while most milk costs about $4 a gallon, the one I use costs $20 a gallon. I believe that whatever you serve should be the best.”“The journey is not easy—there are good days and bad days. But what I’ve learned from my life, and what I want to reiterate, is this: if you put your heart and soul into something, you are bound to succeed.”
Prabhakar’s story teaches us that life rarely follows a straight, predictable path—it twists, breaks, rebuilds, and ultimately reveals who we truly are. This is a stern reminder that failure is not an end, but simply a redirection! If the dreams we cling to fall apart, it is only to make space for something better.
