For years, Rajesh stood behind his tiny tea stall on the bustling streets of Trivandrum, pouring glass after glass of his signature masala chai, in the typical Kerala style.
Office goers in a rush, students grabbing a quick sip, weary travelers pausing for a break – his customers came and went. His was just another roadside tea stall in a city that never slowed down.
But, it was enough. It had to be. This little business had put food on his table, sent his daughter to college, and kept his father’s chai recipe alive.
But something always felt… incomplete.
It nagged him, but he didn’t know what. As any entrepreneur, his dil too mange more.
One rainy evening, as the rain drummed against the tin roof, Rajesh’s teenage daughter watched steam curl from a fresh glass of chai. Suddenly:
“Papa, let’s share our tea stories on the Social Media. Let’s use Instagram.”
Rajesh frowned. Social media? What did that have to do with chai? He questioned. He had never needed it, he reasoned. Frankly, he didn’t know what Social media was.
But then he saw the spark in her eyes. And he had never been one to say no to her.
So, he nodded in agreement and they gave it a shot.
They started with an old photograph—his father’s weathered hands carefully measuring spices, just as he always had. They shared the story of their family’s chai recipe, how it had been passed down through generations. They posted memories of monsoon evenings, when a hot cup of chai warmed more than just hands.
And then, something shifted.
People who had walked past his stall for years suddenly stopped – not just for tea, but to talk. To be a part of this new found story. To share their own stories over this glass of chai.
“This reminds me of my grandfather’s tea shop in my village,” someone commented. “I used to drink chai here during my college days. Brings back memories,” another wrote.
Rajesh’s stall wasn’t just a stop for tea anymore. It had become a place to connect.
And that’s when he understood it all. What was Social Media and most importantly he understood that:
Social media isn’t just about selling. It’s about storytelling.
Businesses, big or small, don’t just need customers. They need connections. And people don’t connect with businesses. They connect with stories.
Take a look at Wagh Bakri Tea, a brand that started small but built a deep connection with people through storytelling. Their campaigns like “Rishton Ki Garmahat” didn’t just sell tea; they told stories of relationships, warmth, and togetherness.
That’s the power of authenticity.
If you are rebranding your business and feel stuck, or if your customer engagement is stuck, maybe it’s time to stop posting on Social Media and start telling stories instead.
Why:
- You could share real stories – People crave authenticity.
- You could show the faces behind your brand – It makes you human.
- You will need to respond genuinely – Because real conversations build real connections.
- You could create content people relate to – Make them feel seen.
- Be consistent and honest – Trust takes time, but it’s worth it.
Rajesh’s tea stall didn’t change overnight. But his customers did. And that changed everything.
So, what’s your story? Ready to share it? If you need help, let’s talk.