“The show must go on. Success often lies just one step beyond the moment you want to quit.”
In the heart of Vagator, North Goa, stands PAZ GOA CAFE, a brand born out of passion and one woman’s vision that is more like a reflection of its founder, Komal Bhatia.
A solo woman entrepreneur, corporate dropout, fitness enthusiast by discipline, model by hobby, and free spirit by nature, four years ago, Komal set out to build her own brand in one of the most competitive markets in India. With a spirit for mindful living and spirituality, she wanted her brand to be rooted in the same essence of mindfulness, creativity, and authenticity.
Today, as a solopreneur, she is turning PAZ GOA CAFE into one of the most loved café in Goa, highly coveted for its outstanding smoothie bowls, the best coffee in town, and wholesome breakfasts.
Pulling Back to the Shore
The idea to open her own café first took root during a lecture at Hindu College when Komal studied Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. With her eyes closed, she saw a clear picture of self-actualisation, one of owning and running a café.
Before venturing out as an entrepreneur, she went on to work in corporate roles at Kotak Mahindra, Standard Chartered, and ICICI. Despite being in corporate, the pull to build never faded. Deep down, she knew she was meant to lead and to build something that could offer space and opportunity to others.
It was during a sabbatical in Goa with her then-husband that the feeling surfaced again. Looking back, she reveals,
“Those months were filled with yoga, meditation, sunsets, and long stretches of introspection. By the end of three months, I had fallen deeply in love with Goa and even started looking for jobs as a restaurant manager. Despite several interviews, nothing materialised, and I found myself back in Delhi, returning to the corporate world.”
A year passed, and ICICI transferred her to Goa. Komal was on holiday at Prana café in Anjuna when the news came. Moving back to Goa helped her materialise her dream for PAZ Goa Café.
Rhythm of Flavors, Music, and Energy
What makes Paz Goa special is the carefully curated mood and ambience. From the moment a guest walks in, they are swaddled with a sense of calm, connection, and a welcome that feels exclusive.
The signature vibe around which the space is built entails retro music, a well-curated selection of cocktails and wines, and a playful “coffee rave” culture that celebrates both energy and ease. Food is scrumptious and memorable. Their breakfast and sandwiches have become local favorites, and the healthy menu and excellent coffee keep people coming back for the same comforting ritual. Komal adds,
“We’ve also earned a reputation for serving one of the best breakfasts in Vagator, especially our sandwiches, which have become a local favorite. Add to that our thoughtfully curated healthy food menu and some of the best coffee in Goa, and you get an experience that’s more than dining.”
Empirical Learning at the Heart
The entrepreneurial path for Komal has been full of trial and error, especially since it was her very first venture. Initially, she learned by taking inspiration from other cafés and testing her own concepts, and she learned faster from the things that failed than from the things that worked. She further adds,
“The biggest challenges, however, were people and positioning. Managing staff in a dynamic industry like hospitality is always complex, and competing in India’s most vibrant and competitive market, Goa, was no less daunting. But with every struggle, the right people, lessons, and opportunities showed up, almost as if the universe was gently realigning my path.”
Since the competition was so fierce, she needed more than good food and coffee to stand out. To achieve this, Komal maintained a clear identity, consistent execution, and the courage to stay mindful rather than chasing the next new trend.
Despite the challenges, what kept her going was perhaps her mindset to perceive each setback as a lesson. It helped her tighten operations, refine the menu, and improve the guest experience. Reflecting on her journey, she says,
“Today, when I look back, I can see how those difficult moments were actually the foundation of the strong, soulful brand that Paz has become.”
Moving Up
“For me, success is best reflected in the voices of our guests.”
One of the wins for Komal is that Paz holds a 4.6 Google rating from over 1,000 reviews. She asserts,
“What touches me the most is when guests evolve into genuine connections, those who become close friends, who remember me and Paz every time they return to Goa, and who care about our journey as deeply as we care about theirs.”
Komal is also appreciative of Paz’s steady growth in sales and profitability, and that she has created a place that is both emotionally resonant and commercially sound. She notes,
“It’s also about running a cafe and inspiring countless young dreamers who aspire to create something of their own.”
Paz has also attracted attention from both the media and the influencer world. Komal was even invited by PechaKucha to speak about her life under the theme Women Who Dared to Think Different.
Influencers such as BeerBiceps, Sumedh Bigli, Curly Tales, and LBB Goa have featured Paz. Local newspapers, including Gomantak Times and The Navhind Times, have also covered the story of her journey.
Additionally, Komal was recognised as the Solopreneur of the Year at the Goa SIBA Awards, National Solopreneur of the Year, while Paz was named Fastest Growing Café of the Year and Best Startup of the Year at the Real Imperial Awards.
A New Dawn
One of Komal’s plans is to take Paz beyond Vagator by building a careful, values-led franchise model that lets others bring the same calm, soulful experience to their towns. She highlights,
“We already receive frequent inquiries from guests who want to bring Paz to their own cities, which makes me confident that the brand has the potential to scale meaningfully. To achieve this, I plan to collaborate with experienced franchise consultants to create a sustainable model that protects our ethos.”
The vision is to have a place where people find peace, connection, and good food, whether they live nearby or are passing through.
With a head full of dreams for Paz, Komal says that the real superpowers of entrepreneurship are resilience and consistency, and that the journey is never smooth. There will be times of doubt when one will feel like giving up. She signs off saying,
“In my second year, I even considered selling Paz due to low profitability. But I held on. Today, I’m grateful I didn’t give up, because that persistence has brought us to one of the strongest positions in Goa’s café scene.”
