Mukul and Tuba, unfulfilled with their Delhi corporate jobs, impulsively moved to the Himachal hills in 2021. Volunteering at hostels for minimal pay (₹5,000-₹15,000), a significant drop from their combined ₹1 lakh monthly salary, they learned the hospitality trade. Despite initial family skepticism, they persevered, Tuba juggling remote work while Mukul freelanced. In April 2024, they opened Cafe Bleeblu in Jibhi, leasing the property for ₹2.5 lakh annually. Their business quickly broke even, fueled by social media virality and reinvestment. Soon expanding to a nine-room hostel, they find the pay cut “worth it,” driven by passion and the fulfillment of working for themselves.

Highlights

* Mukul and Tuba quit their Delhi corporate jobs, driven by unhappiness, to volunteer at hostels in Himachal Pradesh.
* They took significant pay cuts to learn the hospitality business before opening Cafe Bleeblu.
* The cafe became successful, allowing them to expand into a hostel, proving their leap worthwhile.

From Corporate Cubicles to Mountain Cafes: A Dream Realized

The Leap of Faith

Have you ever felt trapped in the daily grind, dreaming of escaping the corporate world? Mukul and Tuba, a Delhi couple, not only dreamt it but did it. They traded their stable, salaried jobs for the unpredictable but fulfilling life of running a cafe in the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh. Their story is a testament to courage, hard work, and the pursuit of passion over paycheck.

• The Dream: To escape the corporate rat race and create a life filled with purpose.
• The Reality: A journey of learning, sacrifice, and ultimately, success.

The Catalyst: A Trip to Jibhi

Their journey began with a simple trip to Jibhi in October 2021. Tuba volunteered at a hostel, and Mukul felt a stirring within him. "I decided then and there to quit my job. I was quite frustrated anyway," Mukul, 27, told HT.com. It was a pivotal moment, a spark that ignited their entrepreneurial spirit.

"The pay cut was definitely worth it. Working for yourself gives you another kind of motivation." – Mukul

Understanding the Numbers: A Statistical Glimpse

• Combined Income (Pre-Quit): Around ₹1 lakh per month
• Volunteer Stipend: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 per month
• Pay Cut: Mukul faced nearly an 80% reduction in income.
• Lease Cost: ₹2.5 lakh per year for the property.
• Time to Break-Even: Within the first three months of opening Cafe Bleeblu.

Learning the Ropes: A Crash Course in Hospitality

For the next three years, they immersed themselves in the world of hospitality, working at various hostels. They weren’t just managers; they were everything: cleaners, social media managers, front desk staff, and even trekking guides. This hands-on experience provided invaluable insights and prepared them for their own venture.

• Skills Acquired: Cleaning, social media management, customer service, trekking guidance.
• Motto: Learning the "nitty-gritties" of the business from the ground up.

Cafe Bleeblu: A Home Away From Home

In April 2024, their dream materialized into Cafe Bleeblu, a charming cafe with stunning views in Jibhi. Almost immediately, Tuba quit her Cybersecurity job, solidifying their commitment. The cafe isn’t just a business; it’s an extension of their home, a space where they live, work, and connect with others.

"It’s a passion driven project for us… So this is a home cafe for us. We stay here, we live here and it’s also our workplace," Tuba tells HT.com.

Reaping the Rewards: Beyond the Paycheck

Despite the initial pay cut and the challenges of starting a business, Mukul and Tuba found fulfillment in their work. The sense of ownership, the freedom to create, and the connection with their community made the sacrifices worthwhile. They reinvest every earning into the business, expanding towards a hostel with nine rooms.

• First Reel going viral – Proving that people love to support local business and new ideas!

Are You Ready to Chase Your Dreams?

Mukul and Tuba’s story is more than just a feel-good tale; it’s an inspiration. It shows that with passion, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, it’s possible to escape the ordinary and create a life that truly resonates with you.

Are you ready to take the leap? Start planning your escape today!

FAQ

Okay, here are 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on the provided text, presented in a clear and concise manner:

1. What motivated Mukul and Tuba to quit their corporate jobs?

   • They were both unhappy with their jobs in Delhi and wanted to pursue a passion project in the mountains.

2. Where is Cafe Bleeblu located?

   • Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh, India.

3. What were Mukul and Tuba doing before opening the cafe?

   • They were volunteering and working at various hostels in the Jibhi region, learning about the hospitality business.

4. How much of a pay cut did Mukul take when he quit his job?

   • Approximately an 80% pay cut. He went from earning around ₹65,000 per month to a stipend of ₹5,000 – ₹15,000.

5. How long did it take Cafe Bleeblu to break even?

   • Within the first three months of opening.

6. How did Mukul and Tuba finance their cafe?

   • They used their savings and reinvested the earnings from the cafe back into the business.

7. What kind of work did they do as volunteers?

   • They did a variety of tasks, including cleaning, making beds, social media management, front desk duties, and accompanying guests on treks.

8. How did they acquire the property for their cafe and hostel?

   • They obtained a 30-year lease on the property.

9. When did Tuba quit her corporate job?

   • About a month before the cafe opened.
10. What’s the name of the hostel they are planning to open?
    • Bleeblu Stays.