Ayaan Jain

At just 14 years old, Ayaan Jain is already proving that age is no barrier to ambition, innovation, or impact. As the founder of Teens2Table, Ayaan has turned his passion for food and entrepreneurship into a thriving business that blends profit with purpose. His journey is not only inspiring but also a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and hard work.

Recently, Ayaan was honored with the Formidable Fellowship, an award that recognizes young trailblazers who are making a meaningful difference in their communities. Here’s a closer look at Ayaan’s story, his business, and the dreams that fuel him.

The Story of Teens2Table

Teens2Table is far more than a simple baked goods business—it’s a multi-faceted venture with two key components: entrepreneurship and community impact.

On the entrepreneurial side, Ayaan sells baked goods at local establishments, including breweries, farmers markets, and soon, schools. With over 15 partnerships across New Jersey, Ayaan is now on the brink of a major expansion, negotiating contracts to supply cookies to schools in his district. From earning his cottage license to learning the complexities of food guidelines for schools, Ayaan’s journey has been anything but straightforward. His meticulous recipe development process—balancing taste with strict nutritional requirements—speaks to the dedication and detail he brings to his craft.

The community side of Teens2Table reflects Ayaan’s passion for giving back. He’s organized events like a Thanksgiving celebration at the Hunterdon County Senior Center, where he brought seniors together over a warm meal, creating bonds through food. He has also developed a middle school curriculum on food sustainability and established a community garden to educate others about the importance of sustainable living.

A Journey Rooted in Passion

Ayaan’s love for entrepreneurship didn’t happen overnight. Early on, he and his brother dabbled in small “businesses,” from lemonade stands to creating homemade pen launchers. But it was the creation of Teens2Table that cemented his entrepreneurial spirit.

“I knew I wanted to start a business, and I knew it had to be something around food,” Ayaan shares. That passion has kept him going through long nights, trial and error with recipes, and the steep learning curve of being a young business owner.

The challenges he faced early on—like navigating licensing hurdles and dealing with rejections from potential partners—only strengthened his resolve. “I knew there were going to be roadblocks, but I never wanted to quit. I just kept pushing forward,” he says.

Learning Through Failure

What sets Ayaan apart is his ability to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Whether it’s perfecting his cookie recipes (after 20+ attempts!) or figuring out how to communicate with customers, Ayaan views every setback as a chance to grow.

“Failures have been my greatest teacher,” he reflects. “Every time something doesn’t work out, it pushes me to improve and find a better way.”

Even his first sale came with a lesson: after miscalculating change for a customer, he ended up losing money on the transaction. But instead of letting it discourage him, he remembers the moment with a smile: “It’s something I’ll probably laugh about forever.”

Beyond Baking: A Published Author and Sustainability Advocate

In addition to running Teens2Table, Ayaan is also a published author. He released a cookbook last summer, featuring recipes he’s developed over the years. Using platforms like Amazon Kindle and Canva, he took on the entire publishing process himself, overcoming challenges like formatting issues and endless downloads. The cookbook is a testament to his creativity and determination.

Ayaan’s dedication to sustainability is another defining feature of his work. His middle school curriculum on food sustainability aims to educate the next generation about the importance of sustainable food practices. “A lot of people don’t know what food sustainability is,” he explains. “I want to change that.”

Looking to the Future

Ayaan has big plans for Teens2Table. By the end of this year, he hopes to secure contracts with two major school suppliers—Maschio’s and Pomptonian—and implement his sustainability curriculum in at least five schools. Long-term, his vision is even more ambitious.

“In five years, I want to see my cookies in major retailers like ShopRite, Costco, and other local markets,” he says. “I’d love to expand to schools nationwide, even as far as California.”

But his ultimate dream? “Global expansion,” Ayaan says confidently. “I want my products to be recognized everywhere—from the U.S. to Brazil to Switzerland. And I want people to know my story, how I started, and how I got here.”

The Formidable Future Ahead

As a Formidable Fellow, Ayaan Jain exemplifies the spirit of young entrepreneurship: passionate, driven, and unafraid to dream big. He’s not just building a business—he’s creating a movement that combines the joy of food with the power of community and sustainability.

And when asked what he’ll be most proud of 20 years from now, Ayaan says it’s simple: “How I started, the challenges I overcame, and the fact that I kept going.”

The future of Teens2Table is bright, and with Ayaan at the helm, there’s no limit to what this young entrepreneur can achieve.