Today we’d like to introduce you to Mehul Patel.
Hi Mehul, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Journey: From $500 and a Subway Job to a Multi-Million Dollar Business Portfolio
About 25 years ago, I came to the United States from India with just $500 to my name. Like many immigrants, I came here searching for opportunity, knowing that success would only come through hard work, sacrifice, and persistence.
My first job was at Subway, where I was washing dishes and making subs. It was a humble start, but it taught me the fundamentals of business—customer service, discipline, and attention to detail. I treated every day as a learning experience and focused on understanding how a business operates from the ground up.
Over time, I began taking calculated risks and reinvesting what I earned. The journey wasn’t easy—there were long hours, financial pressure, and plenty of challenges—but I stayed committed to building something meaningful for the long term.
Today, I own and operate more than nine hotels affiliated with major global brands like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG, along with a Subway, a Rita’s Italian Ice, and several liquor stores. What started with $500 has grown into a multi-million dollar business portfolio.
Giving back to the community is also very important to me. Every year through our Rita’s Italian Ice, we support Penn State THON, which raises funds to fight pediatric cancer. We host fundraisers and provide free Italian ice to the students who dance for 48 hours straight.
It’s especially meaningful to see the impact of THON, as children battling cancer and their families come to experience the dedication, support, and love shown during the event. Being part of something that brings hope to these families is incredibly important to me and my team.
Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come—but I still carry the same mindset I had when I started: stay humble, work hard, and keep pushing forward. That mindset continues to drive everything I do today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I came to the United States in 2002 from India, I started with just $500, and like many immigrants, the biggest challenge was starting from zero in a completely new environment.
In the beginning, everything was difficult. I had to adjust to a new culture, a different way of doing business, and build a life without a strong support system. Financially, it was very tight—I had to work long hours just to cover basic expenses, while trying to save and plan for the future.
Another challenge was learning the business system in the U.S. From customer expectations to operations and regulations, everything was different. I had to learn quickly while working hands-on jobs, starting at Subway washing dishes and making subs.
There was also the pressure of uncertainty. No guarantees, no safety net—just hard work and belief that things would get better. There were times when growth felt slow, and the risks felt high, especially when I started investing into my own businesses.
But those challenges built my foundation. They taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay focused during tough times. Looking back, those early struggles were necessary—they shaped the mindset that helped me grow from having $500 to building a multi-million dollar business portfolio today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Happy Holiday LLC?
We specialize in hospitality and service-driven businesses. In our hotels, we focus on delivering reliable, high-quality guest experiences while maintaining strong operational standards across every property. In our retail and food service businesses, we emphasize customer service, efficiency, and building strong teams that create a welcoming environment for every guest.
What sets us apart is that we understand the business from the ground up. Starting from hands-on roles like washing dishes and making subs, we learned every level of operations. That experience still drives how we lead today—we stay involved, we pay attention to detail, and we focus on doing the small things right every day.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is helping my family and learning the value of hard work at a young age. Growing up in India, life was simple, but those early experiences taught me discipline, respect, and responsibility.
Looking back, I didn’t realize it at the time, but those small moments shaped who I am today. They built the work ethic and mindset that helped me come to the United States in 2002 with just $500 and eventually grow my business into what it is today.
