The Man Who Refused to Quit: The Story of Raj Mehra

Raj Mehra was never the kind of man who had it easy. Born in a small village near Kanpur, India, his life started with hardship. His father was a daily-wage laborer, and his mother stitched clothes to make ends meet. Raj was the eldest of three siblings, and from a young age, he understood the meaning of sacrifice.

At 16, after passing 10th grade with average marks, Raj left school to work at a tea stall to support his family. He watched others his age go to college, dream big, and chase careers, while he scrubbed cups and balanced trays. Yet, he never resented it. He believed life would give him a chance—someday.

First Attempt: A Failing Business

When Raj turned 22, he saved enough money to open a small mobile repair shop. He learned the trade from YouTube videos and a local mechanic who agreed to train him. The shop opened with hope—but no customers. A big mobile store two blocks away offered discounts and EMI schemes Raj couldn’t match.

Within a year, he had to shut down. His savings were gone, and his confidence cracked. But not his will.

Second Attempt: Online Marketplace Misstep

Unwilling to be defeated, Raj enrolled in a government-sponsored digital marketing course. He learned about selling online and started buying handmade wooden toys from local artisans to sell them on online marketplaces. But he didn’t understand shipping logistics and customer service policies. Delays, returns, and poor reviews killed his momentum.

Another failure.

Friends and relatives advised him to “settle down,” get a stable job, maybe become a security guard or delivery boy. But Raj had a dream—he didn’t want to just survive. He wanted to build something.

Third Attempt: The Auto-Rickshaw Hustle

With a loan from a neighbor, Raj bought a second-hand auto-rickshaw. For two years, he drove across the city, ferrying passengers through heatwaves, rains, and traffic jams. He used the time between rides to listen to podcasts about startups, motivation, and finance.

He was learning, evolving.

One day, he picked up a tech entrepreneur from the railway station. They struck up a conversation, and Raj spoke passionately about his business ideas. Impressed, the entrepreneur offered him a chance to work part-time in his logistics startup. Raj grabbed it with both hands.

Fourth Attempt: Rise from the Ashes

At the startup, Raj handled delivery coordination, then moved to vendor management. He learned about inventory systems, supply chains, and customer service—skills he lacked before. After two years, he took another risk.

This time, with a more refined idea: a hyperlocal delivery service for small towns. He noticed many shopkeepers in his hometown struggled with deliveries and online reach. Raj created a simple app (with the help of a freelance developer) and started connecting local stores to customers, offering same-day delivery within 10 kilometers.

The Breakthrough

It started with just 8 stores. But his old reputation as a hardworking and honest man brought in trust. Word spread. Within a year, over 120 local businesses signed up. Raj hired a team of five delivery boys and expanded to three nearby towns.

Local newspapers began covering his story. He was invited to speak at entrepreneurship panels. The man who had once served tea was now serving hope.

Today

At 35, Raj Mehra still lives in the same small house, but he has become a symbol of grit in his town. His startup, LokSeva Express, is now profitable. He mentors other aspiring entrepreneurs who don’t have fancy degrees or a polished resume but possess a fire inside.

When asked how he never gave up, Raj smiles and says,"Every time I failed, I told myself—this is not the end, just a wrong turn. The road is still open."