In a digital world often obsessed with overnight success, Abhishek Tiwari’s journey stands out for a different reason. It is defined by patience, discipline, and purpose. At 35, based in Patiala, Punjab, Tiwari is an e-commerce entrepreneur, content creator, and founder of Apna Tohfa, a brand rooted not just in products but in emotion, storytelling, and trust.
Before entrepreneurship entered his life, Tiwari spent nearly eight years serving the nation in the Indian Air Force. Those years shaped more than just his professional discipline. They built resilience, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility. “The Air Force teaches you how to stay strong during tough times,” he reflects. Yet, beneath the uniform, there was always a quiet dream to build something of his own, to achieve financial independence, and to create opportunities through business and employment.
Leaving the Air Force was not an easy decision. It was not just a job; it was an identity. But choosing courage over comfort became the defining moment of his next chapter.
Tiwari entered the world of e-commerce during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many were hesitant to take risks. Like most first-time entrepreneurs, his early days were far from smooth. Orders came in slowly. Returns and losses tested his confidence. Confusion and self-doubt became frequent companions. Yet quitting was never an option.
Instead, he learned, sometimes the hard way. Each mistake became a lesson. Systems replaced guesswork. Processes replaced chaos. Step by step, he moved forward.
His first venture, Apna Tohfa, reflects his philosophy toward business. Focused on customized gifts and home décor, the brand converts emotions into meaningful products. Each piece carries a story of relationships, celebrations, and moments that matter. Alongside this, Tiwari also runs a pure organic tulsi and chai brand, Tejas Chai, which symbolises energy, grounding, and the mindset of building strong foundations from the ground up.
But Tiwari’s work goes beyond running businesses. Recognising how many beginners struggle silently in e-commerce, he started sharing his journey openly on Instagram through his content platform. Instead of showcasing only wins, he speaks about failures, mistakes, and ground realities. His content educates and supports aspiring sellers, especially beginners, helping them avoid common pitfalls and approach e-commerce with clarity and confidence.
“For me, business is not just about selling online. It is about building brands, systems, and trust,” he explains.
Behind his entrepreneurial journey is a support system he openly acknowledges. “Business is never a one-man show,” Tiwari says. His wife plays an active role in the business, standing beside him through pressure-filled phases and uncertain times. Her contribution, though often behind the scenes, has been powerful and constant.
His eight-year-old son is also part of the journey in his own way, watching, observing, and learning. “Seeing him show interest, asking questions, and learning by observing gives me even more motivation,” Tiwari shares. “This journey is no longer just mine. It is for the future I am building for him.”
Like many small and growing businesses, manpower remains one of Tiwari’s biggest challenges. Finding skilled, reliable team members is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for small entrepreneurs. This reality has further reinforced his belief in strong systems, automation, and sustainable growth models.
Through every struggle, whether financial setbacks, operational hurdles, or people challenges, Tiwari has chosen to document and share real experiences. Not theories. Not shortcuts. Just lessons earned through effort.
“For me, country service did not end with the uniform,” he says. Today, he continues to serve by becoming self-reliant, involving his family in his journey, helping other sellers grow, and creating awareness about real business challenges.
If his journey can inspire even one person to believe that they can build something of their own, even with limited resources, then every struggle feels absolutely worth it.
