Kulddeep Buttar
Corporate Counselling
Founder & Chairman | Buttar Group of Companies | Kowloon, Hong Kong (CHINA)
Native & Birth:
Raikot, Ludhiana (Punjab)
Residence:
Lantau Island, Hong Kong (CHINA)
Raging Ahead with an Arjuna-eyed Focus
A modern-day Arjuna, he never let his focus waver. A man of many dimensions, he is one of those rare business tycoons who have seen the worst to reach the best. He personifies the belief: life is all about learning.
I was fortunate to be born to Sardarni Jasvir Kaur and Sardar Mehman Singh, a Master Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, on 1 March 1968. They ensured we strove for a life of honesty and sincerity. Discipline became a way of life and shortcuts were frowned upon. In fact, whatever I am today is because my parents steered me towards the right, always setting high standards to get to our goals. I learnt to pursue growth, and thus ensure a happy and healthy childhood for all three of us siblings, Kulwant didi, younger sister Kulwinder and I, with limited resources at our disposal. Since he was often posted to various locations, we would move with him; I studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas, in Bengaluru, Gujarat, Punjab, etc.
Ever since, I have never felt low!
I remember being amazed at the luxurious things my friends sported; I never had any of it. I often would wonder why. Once I asked my father for a certain pair of expensive shoes. Instead of lashing out at me for my unreasonable, childish demands, he decided to take another route. He handed over his one-month salary and put me in charge of the monthly household expenses, suggesting to save for my shoes alongside. The task was daunting because I hadn’t yet developed rational judgement. Though my mother, a calming factor and a friend to me, was helping me throughout, I gave up midway. I realised what an insurmountable task my parents had to fulfil all the time. They neither discouraged nor inhibited growth, resulting in a childhood full of mischief, sibling fights, music and sports. I started building my body inspired by Sunny Deol and did well too; I am also a fan of Mohd Rafi, though I could never be more than a bathroom singer.
My heart is in my business, my business in my heart
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and to get a better hang of it, I studied Commerce for graduation from Panjab University, clearing it in 1989. In the meanwhile, I recognised Hong Kong as my ideal country, the perfect incubator for budding businesses. Luck favoured me as my family fixed my match with Balvinder Kaur, a girl born and brought up in Hong Kong. We got married on 25 February 1990 and boarded the flight to Hong Kong later in that year; it was my first ever. Though my parents were sad that I was leaving and were concerned for my survival, yet they were excited to see me trying to spread my wings and be independent. They knew I’d make something of myself.
It all started with a rude shock. Fancy me, a graduate had to start off as a Security Guard. It paid me HKD$9,000 only! However, it gave me ample time to study Accounting and hone my legal skills. Balvinder started working as a shipping clerk. With both of us working, it was initially tough, but we soon squeezed out time explored other parts and work-systems of the country. I ensured myself to not be defined by the pay-cheque; I worked hard, spurred on only by the hopes and dreams of a better future. The birth of my first son, Romit, on 16 July 1991, set wheels to my career, yet I was still a security guard. Balvinder, concerned about his future, once asked me if my job as a guard would limit his growth options. It made me stop in my tracks and re-calibrate my situation, pushing me to think and evolve. The decision I then took changed the course of our future. By 1999 end, I left that job and started working as an accountant from a one-desk room provided by a friend. It was all I needed. The small steps I took became my teachers. Yet, my mind would often wander to Balvinder’s question, which increased my zeal to have more, learn more. With such small steps, I finally could establish Buttar & Associates, a financial services company, in 1996 from the same space. Although, she too was getting her share of growth, she knew I’d be keeping more or less busy always with the company and thus she decided to quit to take care of Romit. By the time Sumrit was born in 1996, the company was doing well, yet his birth boosted me up to continue striving for a long run.
I’d talk to my clients to better understand the business, acquire the skills and knowledge required to excel in this field. Year 2019 started on a positive note as I started Curry Leaf Indian Cuisine. I believe family heritage or business is not just to be followed, but to be created too, so as to give the future generations something to tread on. I wonder today, if I can do it, why not others!
Success is when you start having fun…
… in your work. To start afresh in a foreign country was a challenge He blessed me with. Battling it all, my turf was, and is, my home, my family; it is the source of my strength and confidence to pursue my dream – a vital reason I am so attached to my roots and culture. I can’t really do without Indian cuisine. Of course, I do enjoy other cuisines too but the aroma of a Punjabi meal spells home for me. The more connected you are to your roots, the more grounded you venture into the world. See, it’s very simple, when you are at work, work; when you are at home, enjoy home! Since Papa ji still prefers to live in India, I often visit him; every time I visit India, I find myself exploring a new aspect to it.
It would be wrong to say I haven’t failed, because I have, several times, and realised that failure builds the best character. A journey is no fun without failures, a person is not evolved without realising and working to overcome his weaknesses. Take a leap of faith and see how you evolve. In 2017, I was awarded with Honorary Doctorate Degree by the KEISIE International University.
Hold onto your roots
Although I am in Hong Kong since 30 years now, I haven’t forgotten my roots. Both Romit and Sumrit stay in Canada and are equally fluent in Mandarin and English as in Punjabi. In fact, our domestic help here too speaks Punjabi rather well. In light of this sentiment, I organise and participate in Indian cultural programmes as the treasurer of the Indian Arts Circle for the past 15 years. Our aim is to ignite an interest and acquaint the general public with Indian heritage, art, music, literature and dance. Mela Teeyan Da, a show that celebrates Punjab, is my favourite as it highlights our culture with respect to women and their contribution. I founded Singh Welfare, a non-profit organisation, to empower and support minorities and fight drug-addiction among Punjabi youth in Hong Kong. We regularly hold seminars, lectures and educational programmes, where girls between ages 4 and 16 are provided free tickets to kindle a sentimental investment in our culture.
Understanding the needs and requirements of people in my city, I invest in uplifting Raikot. Serving the infrastructural needs there, building roads for the city, a cause close to my heart is getting the underprivileged girls there married. I have often contributed to camps for the sightless too. Fighting deforestation, I have helped install around 200 artificial nests, which are now homes to many birds; installing incinerators and a morgue too.
As the President of the Charitable Division of Khalsa Sports Club, I help coordinate tournaments and facilitate young sportsmen. I often participate in the charitable events held by the Junior Chamber International and Shri Guru Nanak Devji Lok Bhalayi along with assisting the development of the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple.
I am also an Honorary Advisor of AMIGOS (The Young Millionaires Group) and a member of Forum of Indian Professionals, Hong Kong (FIPHK), Indian Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong (ICCHK), among some others.
And when I am awarded for all the things I do out of my interest, it feels rather strange. Why am I being awarded? As a part of sewa, I always choose fields that interest me. However, awards like the Most Promising Entrepreneur by Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA), and some others for Business Acumen and Exemplary Contribution to Service Sector presented at the World Business Conclave 2016 did boost my morale!
Wasn’t that an evolution of Kulddeep? The Bollywood biggie, Amitabh Bachchan, is adored the world over. Yet, didn’t he too reinvent himself, didn’t he too accept his mistakes?
Philosophy
Since my childhood I have looked upon great people and have learned only one thing – If they can, why can’t I?
I love…
Preserving and promoting Punjabi culture.
I’d suggest the youth…
To start valuing their parents and roots before it is too late. And not to run after money, rather focus on building their careers.
Success Mantra
None. I work without shortcuts, enjoy whatever I do and be a better version of me every day.
The world doesn’t know that…
In my younger days I was an avid Hockey player.
AKA
Global business leader Kulddeep Buttar | Buttar Group of Companies
Gallery
ISBN : 9788193397695