Building Luxury for Everyday Hustlers: The Story of Vitthal & DayBreakPass
In a world that never slows down, luxury often feels out of reach for the everyday hustler. Vitthal Kushe set out to change that with his startup DayBreakPass.
A Software Engineer, DevOps professional, and serial entrepreneur, Vitthal Kushe has always followed one guiding principle: if you’re going to invest your time, make sure the returns are worth it.
After building and scaling more than three startups, he’s now channelling that energy into DayBreakPass. It offers exclusive day access to the world’s top hotels, allowing people to enjoy luxury amenities like pools, spas, and gourmet dining without needing an overnight stay.
I’m Vitthal Kushe, a software engineer by training, a serial entrepreneur by choice, and, if I’m honest, just a simple person at heart. I grew up in Sindhudurg along the Konkan coast, a place that’s given me a deep love for nature and a straightforward approach to life. When it comes to business, though, I’m fiercely competitive and relentlessly driven to succeed.
Ever since I started working, I had one goal in mind: I wanted to make money and create something meaningful. For me, education was never a barrier; I knew I’d find my way as long as I stayed ambitious and curious. I remember my first internship—I was earning just ₹10,000, but even then, I felt that drive to build something bigger. Later, when my income increased, that goal didn’t change; it only got sharper. My dream is to create a 100-crore company, and I’m here for the long haul to make it happen.
Early Hustles and Building My Foundation
In my very first job, I worked hard and quickly earned a promotion within six months. That was a turning point for me. I started interacting with the VPs and upper management, and it hit me: I wanted to be in a leadership position to someday build my own ventures, to create and innovate. I hustled through jobs, explored different roles, and kept sharpening my skills, especially in tech. And that journey kept evolving.
My entrepreneurial streak was always there. At one point, I ran Swadeshi Official, a t-shirt printing business, where we sold two lakhs worth of t-shirts a month. During the lockdown, I co-founded Veggie King, delivering fresh vegetables in the mornings from 7 to 9 before heading to my 9-to-5 job. Then, I started SpikeReach, a marketing agency that’s now helping fund my current startup, DayBreakPass. Looking back, I realise I’ve always had a few irons in the fire, always learning and pushing forward.
The Idea Behind DayBreakPass
The idea for DayBreakPass came to me after working in real estate and seeing firsthand how other countries tackle certain problems differently. In places like the US & Singapore, “daycations” are common, allowing people to experience luxury without an overnight stay. I thought, Why not bring something like that to India?
Post-COVID, I saw a shift—people realised the importance of enjoying life when they could and taking time for themselves. In a country where hustle is part of life, I thought a short escape could give people that much-needed breather, even for a few hours. With DayBreakPass, we’ve created a way for people to enjoy luxury experiences at a fraction of the cost, something accessible and refreshing.
Of course, this journey hasn’t been easy. DayBreakPass is bootstrapped and funded by SpikeReach and a passionate, small team. My family and friends have had their doubts, which is only natural, especially when your income isn’t as predictable as a paycheck. But I’m in it for the long game—I want this venture to grow into something special.
Motivation in the Everyday Grind
My approach to business is simple: If I’m spending ₹10, I want at least ₹100 back. I’ve always believed that if you want the best, you have to put in your best effort. Sure, I’ve faced my share of rejections, especially in sales calls, which have sometimes been tough enough to keep me up at night. But each rejection has taught me something new. I’ve pitched to Anupam Mittal in a corridor and chased down Ashish Hemrajani, founder of BookMyShow, just for a few minutes of his time.
The funny thing is that all of these stay with you. Ashish told me something that still drives me today: “I want you to build this.” These words have stuck with me ever since. On tough days, that sentence hits me like a reminder to keep going.
Motivation, for me, isn’t about fancy quotes or podcasts. I look at the people around me—middle-class families opening stores at dawn and keeping them open late into the night. They don’t have any secret to motivation other than pure dedication. That’s the energy I bring to DayBreakPass, and it’s what I want my team to feel, too.
With all the energy that goes into building a startup, I make sure to take a break every Saturday—whether it’s trekking or enjoying a short daycation at a resort (thanks to DayBreakPass!). Those small escapes keep me grounded and remind me why I started this journey.
If Not This, Then What?
Being a founder has taught me more than I ever expected. Every step, every learning moment, brings me closer to the dream. I know there’s a long road ahead, but if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that I’ll keep hustling, keep growing, and keep believing in this journey.
If I weren’t doing this, I’d still be working in DevOps or diving into cybersecurity. But right now, I’m exactly where I want to be—building DayBreakPass with everything I’ve got.
Vitthal Kushe’s journey is a perfect example of what happens when you keep pushing forward, no matter how many times you hit roadblocks. It’s about putting in the hard work, learning from every failure, and always trying to get better.
For most of us caught up in the hustle of daily life, luxury feels like a faraway dream—reserved for special occasions or the rare holiday escape. But what if luxury could be brought into your everyday routine, giving you a taste of indulgence without disrupting your grind?
That’s the vision Vitthal Kushe had when he created DayBreakPass, a platform that redefines how we experience luxury. At Rize, we believe in celebrating founders who aren’t afraid to hustle and innovate, and Vitthal Kushe is a perfect example of that.
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