The alarm buzzes at 7 AM. For a single, fleeting moment, the exhaustion from yesterday feels like a physical weight holding me down. My body aches from the 50km I pedaled on my bike. My mind is a blur from packing orders until 2:30 AM. The urge to hit snooze is overwhelming.
But I don’t. I can’t.
Because in the next 19 hours, I have to work my 8-hour office job, manage my salon, and build my dream, one knot at a time. My name is Aniket, and this is the raw, unfiltered story of what it really takes to build a business, keep a family together, and hold onto the love that fuels it all. This is the story behind every rug at my Shopify store, The Boho Rugs.
Boho rugs aren’t just floor coverings to me; they’re stories. Growing up watching my family pour their hearts into crafts ignited a spark in me. But turning that spark into a business while juggling a life that feels like a high-wire act? That’s where the real sweat comes in. I handle everything myself – designing, sourcing, and packing every order with care so when you unbox it, you feel its story.
This isn’t just about my two side hustles or my full-time job. It’s about the fire in my belly to build something meaningful. So let me walk you through a typical day in my shoes. It’s not glamorous. It’s gritty. But it’s real.
7 AM: The Alarm and the Anchor
I wake up at 7 AM sharp, every morning, no matter how late I crashed the night before. The alarm buzzes, and for a split second, I feel that pull to hit snooze – the weight of yesterday’s fatigue still clinging to me like morning dew.
But I push through, because giving up isn’t an option. First things first: freshen up, whip up a quick breakfast (usually something simple like eggs or paratha to keep the energy going), and by 8 AM, I’m done.
That’s when I steal those precious 5-10 minutes to talk with my girlfriend. Just a quick call or text exchange – “How’d you sleep? Miss you already.” It might seem small, but those moments? They’re my anchor. In a world where everyone’s rushing, that connection reminds me why I hustle so hard.
8 AM: The Digital Hustle Begins
Then, it’s straight into TuftsKnots mode. From 8 to 9 AM, I’m glued to my laptop, checking orders on TuftsKnots.com.
Did that custom Tufts Knots request come through? Any new reviews that make my heart swell? I scan customer emails – the ones praising our Tufts Knots rugs or asking for tips on rug care – and reply with genuine care, because these aren’t just buyers; they’re part of my story now.
I flip over to our Etsy shop too, making sure listings are optimized, photos pop, and any messages get a personal touch. It’s exhilarating, seeing people from around the world connect with my creations, but it’s also nerve-wracking.
What if there’s a delay? What if a shipment goes wrong? Those thoughts creep in, but I shake them off and keep moving.
9:10 AM: The 25km Commute That Clears My Head
By 9:10 AM, I’m out the door, hopping on my bike for that 25 km ride to the office. The wind whips past, horns blare, and sometimes the potholes feel like they’re testing my resolve.
But there’s something meditative about it – pedaling clears my head, lets me plan the day’s boho rug designs or salon schedules mentally
10 AM – 6:30 PM: The Day Job That Fuels the Dream
I clock in at 10 AM, dive into my 8-hour shift until 6:30 PM. It’s a desk job, steady and reliable, but my mind’s always half on Tufts Knots.
Lunch at 1 PM? I scarf it down fast, maybe a quick roti-sabzi from home, so I can squeeze in 10 minutes from 1:20 to 1:30 to chat with my love again. “How’s your day going? Thinking of you.”
Those stolen moments amid the chaos? They’re gold. They remind me that professional success means nothing without personal happiness. Balancing work and love isn’t easy – I’ve seen friends let relationships crumble under job stress – but I make it a priority. It’s what keeps my heart full.
6:30 PM: The Ride Home and a Quick Bite
6:30 PM hits, and I’m back on the bike, another 25 km homeward. Exhausted? Absolutely. Hungry? Starving.
I grab some fast food on the way – maybe a roadside vada pav or whatever’s quick – because by then, my stomach’s protesting louder than the traffic.
8 PM: Family First, Always
Reach home around 8 PM, but wait, no rest yet. I buy groceries or essentials for the family first – milk, veggies, whatever’s needed – because family comes before everything.
Then, dinner at home, catching up with my parents or siblings over a hot meal. Those conversations? They’re my recharge. Hearing about their day, sharing laughs – it grounds me after the madness.
8:45 PM – 9:30 PM: The Salon Buzz
But the day’s not over. I head to my salon to manage the evening shift. This means checking inventory, talking to staff, and handling any walk-ins or issues.
It’s hands-on – sometimes I even jump in for a quick haircut if needed. The salon hums with energy, clients leaving with smiles, and that satisfaction? It’s addictive.
9:30 PM: Love in the Quiet Moments
By 9:30 PM, I’m back home, and yep, another 30 minutes to talk with my girlfriend from 9:30 to 10 PM. We share dreams, vent frustrations, plan little escapes – it’s our time, untouched by the hustle.
10 PM – 2 AM: Weaving Dreams at The Boho Rugs
Finally, from 10 PM to 2 AM, it’s back to Tufts Knots. Deep dive into orders, customer mails (those late-night queries from international folks), updating the website, maybe tweaking SEO for better Google rankings on terms like “hand-tufted rugs” or “affordable bohemian rugs.”
Etsy gets love too – new listings, promotions to draw in more eyes. By 2:30 AM, I collapse into bed, body aching, mind racing, but soul content. Sleep? Precious, but short. And repeat.
Now, why am I sharing all this? Because I see so many young folks out there – getting crushed under just one job. Frustrated, angry, sacrificing family time, letting love slip away in fights or neglect.
I’ve been there, felt that pull toward burnout. But here’s my truth: if you want it bad enough, you can manage it all. It’s about priorities, discipline, and finding joy in the struggle.
My life isn’t perfect – the bike rides leave me sore, the late nights blur my eyes, the juggling act sometimes drops a ball. There are days I feel overwhelmed, questioning if it’s worth it.
But then an order comes in, a client raves about a rug transforming their home, or my girlfriend’s voice lights up my evening, and I know: yes, it is.
I want you to feel connected to me, to Tufts Knots. When you buy from Tuftsknots.com or our Etsy shop, you’re not just getting a rug; you’re supporting a real person’s dream amid real chaos.
My struggles? They’re yours too, if you’re hustling as a young entrepreneur or just trying to balance life. How do you manage your days? Drop a comment below – share your routine, your wins, your heartaches. Let’s build a community here.
My ‘me time’ isn’t on a yoga mat or a vacation. It’s the hum of the tufting gun in my hands at midnight. It’s the thrill of a new order notification on my phone. My work, my hustle, my passion—that is my time for myself.
I am building a life I don’t need to escape from.
So if you’re out there feeling crushed by your own hustle, know this: your struggle has a purpose. Your exhaustion is the currency of your dreams. Don’t just seek balance; seek fulfillment. Find the joy in the grind.
When you buy a rug from Tuftsknots.com, you’re not just buying a product. You’re buying a piece of this story. You’re becoming a part of this hustle. Thank you for being here.
With heart and hustle,
Aniket
