Chhotalal started working in the steel industry in 1971. In 1991, after 20 years at Mercury Stainless and Washington Specialty Metals, he started his own stainless steel service center in Illinois with relentless help from his wife, Hiraben, and his two sons, Sandip and Satish. They named their first company as S&S International, inspired by the initials of their sons.
His journey begins from a small village in Gujarat, Kahipur. Born on June 1, 1946, to Raiben and Ambaram Patel, Chhotalal feels privileged to have a good upbringing. Youngest in the family, he has four brothers and one sister. “My family’s primary occupation was farming; my parents were not educated but ensured encouraging all their children to study and move ahead in life.” Even though he belonged to a humble family, he never thought less of himself. He faced many difficulties and challenges but he soldiered on. One of his brothers successfully completed his high school and encouraged him too to go to college.
“My mother was a very honest and thoughtful lady. Although she always supported in all my decisions, she ensured my decisions had honesty and truthfulness in it. One great thing I learnt from her was the fact that we as humans always have control on what we get into. She believed one’s conscience never directs to do anything wrong.”
Chhotalal completed his primary education from the only school in his village and then enrolled in BN High School, in a nearby town Vadnagar, where Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India, was his junior. Chhotalal always had his aim fixed: becoming a doctor and settling down in his village to serve the community. But life had different plans for him.
When he was in his second year of his BSc at MN College, Visnagar, he dreamt to enroll in medical college to become a doctor. His father fell ill right before his exam and he could not score enough to get admission in medical college. After his father’s demise, he decided to quit studies and carry on farming and stay close to the family. But his brother pushed him to continue his studies and enroll back in college. He graduated in 1970 with a distinction. Going by what some of his classmates planned to do, he too decided to study in the US and landed in the new country the same year.
Setting up His Dream
He continued studying for an extended period while working part-time at a steel company, never realizing it would lead him to successful business career. Working for Mercury Stainless and Washington Specialty Metals gave him enough knowledge and experience to open his own supply-chain service center.
However, he stayed focused. During the day, he attended school and spent his nights learning his way into business. Initially, he was clueless about the steel industry but a Science degree proved helpful. His employers were impressed by his work ethics and saw potential in him. He continued to climb the management ladder. Soon after his graduation, he was offered the managerial position and later was made the general manager. His desire to continue learning new things keeps him continue going to school even at his current age.
Significant others can help you thrive through embracing life opportunities. Hiraben, he believes, is the secret behind his success. Born and raised in Gujarat, she got married to Chhotalal right before he moved to the US. She stayed behind with his parents for six years before moving to the US in 1976. Their first son, Sandip, was born in 1977 and their second son, Satish, in 1979.
In 1990, the company where Chhotalal worked was sold off; the new management wanted him to continue working with them but he decided to leave the company. He saw it to be perfect opportunity to start something on his own. He did start working on his own – from his home with a telephone and computer.
“I knew the supply base, I knew the marketing, I knew the operation and I had enough saved to start from scratch. I had my family’s support. And soon, I was earning decently. I was doing everything: buying, selling, packaging and delivering, all of it. Selling was one of the easiest things for me, even though it was scary and uncertain at first but we continued to grow.” Hiraben, Sandip and Satish too joined him to sail through those days of struggle. This venture brought entire family closer. The boys were still in school at the time, so they were allowed to help over the weekends only.
They rented a 5000 sq-ft warehouse in Mt Prospect, Illinois, and their business skyrocketed. Fortunately, business grew well and six months later, they moved to a bigger 20,000 sq-ft space in Wood Dale, Illinois. Nothing succeeds like success. They hired a few employees and by the year 1999, they acquired a financially troubled company, Precision Thin Metals in Wisconsin. In 2001, they moved to Carol Stream into what is now their current corporate headquarters and now operate from seven locations across the US. They are now the major suppliers of stainless steel and aluminum flat rolled products to manufacturers throughout the country.
“Both Sandip and Satish are leading the business now and will carry on the legacy forward.” Hiraben and Chhotalal are now enjoying the company of their three grandchildren, Deven and Kaylah, kids of Sandip and Tracy, and Satish and Sheba’s son, Aivin. “They have taught me to be compassionate, understanding and loving. The kids enjoy their time with us; when they come to visit us, they do not wish to leave.”
Success Kissing his Feet
At the summit of success, they currently have 350 employees across seven locations in the US, and a new facility at Carol Stream.
“Over time I realized, whatever happens, happens for a reason. If I’d become a doctor, I would live an isolated life. But as a businessman, I have families to care for. Sometimes, you think you are failing but circumstances take a turn and you go in a different direction.”
Philosophy behind his success was to reinvest and focus on business. Many people like to lead a luxury lifestyle but he never took that route. They don’t go out and make a big show. It has almost been 50 years since he left his village but the Patels still maintain strong connection with their roots. They recently built a primary school that they named after his mother and handed it over to the government. He firmly believes in and promotes good education and culture. “Educating the younger generations about our culture is one of the biggest things we can do. A lot about our culture are things that are the basics of life, things that schools, colleges don’t talk about.” Things like love, respect, care are the ones he wants to pass on to his younger generations. “You begin to value them only when you don’t see them around, their empty chairs hurt. I never regret the time I spent with my father during his last days.”
He is on the Board of Trustees of the Manav Seva Mandir in Chicago. He is the Chairman of Federation of Seniors of Chicago and also at the Shree Umiya Mata Mandir, Chicago, which was established in 2015. He is currently building a large community center and seniors’ homes. He is also a part of the Advisory Chair Committee of Kadva Patidar Samaj, Chicago.
“We are fortunate that God has put us into this position where we can help someone. We always step up to help those who really need help without making them realize that they are being helped.”