He started his journey in a little Gujarati village – in a family that was primarily into agriculture, from where he has today grown to run a successful empire in the US. It is an incredible story, a story that continues to eternity.
“We came as a bloodline immigrant as my uncle has been here since 1950, I came in as a student and subsequently got citizenship in the 60s,” shares Bharat.
His father, Natvar Patel, was a farmer and his mother, Mangiben, a dedicated homemaker. His siblings, Kokila, Harshad, Rekha, Meena and he grew up together in the idyllic village surroundings.
“We grew up in the village and helped on the farm even as we studied. I was academically a good student; in fact, I was a topper in my grade 10 board exam. After schooling at Vihan High School, I joined VP Science College in Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, for my pre-college.”
Given that his uncles were already in the US, it was not such a difficult choice for Bharat to move. But adapting to a new culture and mastering the language was a big challenge. However, he overcame it by handling customers at his brother, Harshad’s convenience store – he had moved to the US before him. He not only learnt to speak the language effectively but also developed a bond with the customers.
From Hospitals to Hospitality
Bharat says he has had two turning points in his life. “I have had two turning points: Immigrating to a new country and the other the course of education and work I chose. The new culture and new way of thinking was a gift from the US; it increased my passion to do better in anything and everything, toward India and the US. In 1988, I decided not to pursue my MD-PhD programme; I straight away dropped out of my college after giving eight long years to it and ventured into a completely different field of the hospitality business.”
He enrolled with the University of Southern Mississippi to graduate in Microbiology in 1984 and Biochemistry in 1985. He earned a master’s degree in Molecular Biology in 1987 and enrolled in an MD-PhD program at New Jersey Medical School but dropped out. “My whole family got into the hotel business. We bought our first hotel here in Indianapolis in 1989; we simply called it Inn in Indianapolis.” The switch to business was not easy but the need demanded him to. Also, he was never the one to smirk away trying something new. “We added another one, Comfort Inn, in 1991.” And thus Sun Development & Management Corp came into being. “So, we named it Sun – a source of light, which rises to bring mornings and if it sets, it rises back up! We had to be like a Sun.”
He soon developed a winning formula. He bought a property near an interstate or major highway, then he applied for a small-business loan and received tax abatements from the local government in exchange for the jobs he would create. Since then, the company has grown and built over 60 hotels across the country in 14 different states catering to all brands, including Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn and Suites.
Hard Work, Persistence and Results
But business is never without its share of ups and downs. Three economic crises in 1996, 2001 and 2011, however, could not push him back. Says Bharat, “Business comes with its share of ups and downs. It is very cyclical: whenever the economy tanks, we weather the storm. It is difficult, but you also get back on your feet because opportunities knock on your door. We always maintained a decent backup which helped us through difficult times and we picked up eventually.”
On the way, Bharat continued to help people whenever he could – sometimes employing the needy, at others simply donating his time and efforts. “My parents are my inspiration behind this. And eventually, when I was earning enough, I knew I had to do something for people and society at large. I began for my mental and emotional peace.”
Having seen his parents work hard to give the children the best education, Bharat also realised the importance of giving back to society. When he started his hotel business, he established Rami Patel Endowed Scholarship in his grandmother’s name, Ramiben Patel, at the university he had attended. Several years later, a beneficiary, who became a doctor, wrote a note of thanks to him, something he holds close.
Bharat also contributes to hospitals in Navsari, Gujarat. He also hosts fundraisers at his hotels whenever some natural calamity hits any part of the world. Also a former Chairman of the Gujarati Association in New York, he is currently serving as the Chairman of the India Association of Indianapolis. He also conducts seminars and speaks at many conferences to inspire young hoteliers. “I love cooking and hosting people – I often do that at our home.”
The Secret
His success has not in any way taken out his Indianness. “Ours is still an Indian family,” he says. He married Anju in 1989. Their kids, Pruthvi, a doctor, Viral, a biologist, Aakash, a lawyer, Vikas, an economist, and Suraj, a political leader, took inspiration from their well-educated parents. They went to some of the most reputed schools like Stanford University, New York University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina and Indiana University.
Suraj is a lawyer, a businessman, a lecturer at New York University and a national political leader. He has also worked for the former President of the US, Barack Obama. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a candidate for the newly created 12th congressional district in Manhattan. A bold and progressive leader, his motto in life is to restore the promise of New York – education, opportunity and mobility – for every family. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University in 2005 and then received a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 2009. In 2014, Suraj postgraduated in philosophy from the University of Cambridge. Only 40, he has proved his mettle time and time again!
Aakash is married to Riddhi and they were recently blessed with a baby.
Bharat and his family are still connected to their roots. The family still participates in functions and visits Gujarat every December for three to four weeks to make the kids understand their parent country and culture.
“Well yes, they are the secret of my success. The way Anju helps me manage my life and calms me down or boosts me up is something I can’t ever be enough thankful for. A large part of what I did in my career was a sense of responsibility toward my kids… so yes, they make me!”
Though he keeps busy with work, Bharat ensures finding time for himself and his family. “I look the same as I did 10–15 years ago. I always maintain my weight, I try to keep my stress levels down and I also feel it is in our genes. My sisters, my mother, they all look as good.” He still works out well and indulges in sports like golf or others. “And I am thankful for technology – I don’t always have to be present at work, I can do a lot of it from home, with my phone and laptop, which is simply wonderful! I have more time for family.”
Bharat is immensely thankful to the Gujarati community for being his mentor. And with most of the Gujaratis being in the hospitality business, he knew he too could also do it as successfully.