From 10th Grade To Millionaire: How a Gujarati Entrepreneur Achieved Success In US

“Met a Patel friend who runs a restaurant in New Jersey. He was in his late 40s and 10th pass. I am engineer with masters degree who listens to podcasts,” Sunil wrote on X

The restaurant business is one of the most competitive businesses to venture into. Entering the industry and being successful at the same is a different ball game altogether. However, despite this notion and fear attached to the industry, one Indian immigrant defied these odds by opening a restaurant in the  United States. This bold move proved life-changing, ultimately turning him into a millionaire.

An X (formerly Twitter) user named Sunil recounted the inspiring story of his Gujarati friend, who immigrated to the US, established a successful Gujarati restaurant, and now enjoys a comfortable and prosperous life in the land of opportunity.

Sunil humorously reflected on his master’s degree and podcast habit as he shared the success story of his friend. Despite only having studied through the 10th grade, his friend achieved remarkable entrepreneurial success.

“Met a Patel friend who runs a restaurant in New Jersey. He was in his late 40s and 10th pass. I am engineer with masters degree who listens to podcasts,” Sunil wrote on X.

“I told him that Peter Thiel said that the worst business one can do is open a restaurant. Very high failure rate and customers are very unpredictable. When I mentioned Peter thiel’s name, he raised his eyebrows to think. Obviously, he doesn’t know who Peter Thiel is,” Sunil added.

Patel shared with his friend Sunil that he has a loyal customer base of at least 50 families who frequently dine at his restaurant. Countering Peter Thiel's view that restaurant customers are unpredictable, Patel explained that even if his food is slightly under-seasoned on a given day, his customers would merely request a bit more salt rather than abandoning his restaurant. 

Patel also highlighted the significance of a prime location in the restaurant business. His establishment is strategically situated along the route to a well-frequented temple in Robinsville, New Jersey, which has proven advantageous for attracting diners.

His friend said opening a restaurant was a sure short way for him to become a millionaire. “He himself has 50 families who are his relatives that live in New Jersey who will come to his restaurant for a good Gujarati food. If salt is less, they will not stop coming. They will simply tell him to add more salt,” the post on X reads.

He added: “A lot of Gujaratis from New York and Pennsylvania hire tourist bus when they have to go to visit swaminarayan temple in Robinsville. In the way to Robinsville, they make a stop at his restaurant to eat delicious Gujarati thali. That’s 50-75 people per bus. All he has to do is open restaurant in morning, cook dal Chawal sabzi roti, dhokla, tea for 10 years and he is a millionaire. That’s 10th pass immigrant for you. No MBA, no listening to podcast. Just common sense, intuition and ability to take calculated risk.”