Founder Spotlight: Shonali Paul (Paul John Indian Caffeine Company)

Meet Shonali Paul:

The Paul John Indian Caffeine Company is one of the very few brands on the market that specialize in Indian coffee. It produces the highest quality coffee from shade-grown select beans that are expertly sourced predominantly from the luscious estates of Coorg in Karnataka, India, then lovingly roasted, packaged, and shipped here in the US.

Location:

Tampa, Florida, USA

When did you launch the business?

January 2023

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Startup Stage?

I have bootstrapped the business myself. I am very fortunate enough to be able to do so and I prefer that I have full control of the business and the direction that it takes. It allows me to have full reign on the business and have full creative control.

What led you to where you are today?

Honesty, hard work, perseverance, and my faith have allowed me to be where I am today. Starting any business is hard work, and one of the most important parts of being successful is not giving up. It takes time and there will always be rough patches but anything worth keeping is worth fighting for.

What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?

I wish I knew that not everyone has the same intentions that you have, so you need to be careful in every single business situation you are dealing with. Always check the fine print, and trust your instincts as a founder — you can never be too careful!

What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?

I think the most difficult decision I have had to make in my business is who to hire and work with. It is a constant process, especially as a start-up, it is always very critical who you hire to represent your company. Employees make all the difference and with the right ones in place, your business will evolve and grow.

What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?

I can offer my advice on building a specialty beverage brand and importing goods from another country, building a warehouse, marketing your business and more!