At Just 20, He Built a Lakhs-Earning Thekua Brand from His Mother’s Recipe

In the small kitchens of Bihari homes, especially during the Chhath Puja, the air fills with the sweet, spiced aroma of thekua — a beloved snack made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, fried until golden brown. For Guwahati-based Tilak Pandit, this festive treat wasn’t just a family tradition. It became the foundation of a business idea that would eventually reach customers across India.

At just 20, Tilak has transformed his mother’s homemade thekuas into a thriving food startup, ‘Desi Tesi’, proving that homegrown ideas, when paired with grit and passion, can go a long way.

Growing up in a Bihari household in Guwahati, Tilak saw his family prepare thekuas every year as part of the traditional Chhath rituals. It was a nostalgic comfort, tied to memories of warmth, celebration, and community. But it wasn’t until a college fest that Tilak realised its true potential.

With a humble stall at the event, he decided to sell his mother’s homemade thekuas to the crowd. What happened next surprised him — the stock sold out in no time. And what’s more, people kept coming back, asking if they could order more.

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That spark of interest was enough. Tilak knew he had something special.

Building a brand from scratch, with family by his side

With no formal business training or investors backing him, Tilak did what most would shy away from: he taught himself. From running an online store to handling logistics and packaging, he learnt every aspect of running a food business from the ground up.

Desi Tesi was launched straight from his home kitchen, with the support of his family. In the beginning, orders were few and far between. There was barely any funding, and growth was slow. But Tilak stayed focused, relying on word-of-mouth and consistency to build a loyal customer base.

Growing a community around a forgotten treat

Two years on, Desi Tesi is no longer just a home experiment. It receives regular orders from across the country. Customers who once had to wait for Chhath to enjoy thekua can now have it delivered to their doorstep.

What makes Desi Tesi stand out is its deep connection to tradition. The recipes remain true to authentic Bihari flavours — something many miss when they move away from home. It’s not just a snack, but a taste of nostalgia and a connection to one’s roots.

With a humble stall at the event, Tilak decided to sell his mother’s homemade thekuas to the crowd.

Success without factories or investors

In a time when startups are often defined by funding rounds, celebrity endorsements, and large-scale operations, Tilak’s story is a refreshing reminder of what truly drives success: passion, resilience, and purpose.

He didn’t have a commercial kitchen or big investors. What he had was a recipe passed down through generations, a supportive family, and a willingness to learn everything on his own.

From packaging each order carefully at home to managing deliveries and customer feedback, Tilak wears multiple hats to keep the wheels turning.

The journey continues

As Desi Tesi grows, Tilak hopes to expand his product range while continuing to stay true to the values that started it all: home, culture, and community. For now, he remains the heart of his kitchen, pouring tradition into every batch of thekua.