Entrepreneurs often identify themselves as problem solvers, who simply recognise the inefficiencies in the market. India, known for its service industry across the globe, is the 8th largest service exporter of the world. However, Indians have long been unconsciously indoctrinated with an idea of entrepreneurship.
Jugad, is a term coined by the country, which means solving complex problems with limited resources. It could be as simple as fixing a water pressure machine at one’s house or it could be Rozana, which delivered to rural areas during the pandemic.
But entrepreneurship is not all sunshine. Being your own boss, breaking the 9-5 humdrum and orchestrating a path to success has its own perks. But the ability to call the shots also comes with persistence, failures, uncertainty and discipline of doing things no one else wants to.
And as a legacy and coffee table book publisher, we believe such journeys deserve to be celebrated and documented. With that, here are 3 tales of success, which were also featured in Maneesh Media’s Jewels of Punjab series.
Prem Singhmar (Jewels of Punjab Vol. I)
The loudest wins come from diligence, working in silence and without applause. Prem Singhmar’s route to success can be credited to the same. He arrived in Alberta with hopes of becoming an eye surgeon in 1985. While he had already spent a chunk of his youth pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery & Master of Surgery back in India, practicing in Canada meant waiting years.
Singhmar skipped the line and became a poultry farmer instead. His decision acted as a segway, gradually earning him over 20,000 acres of farmland. Apart from the huge real-estate portfolio, the entrepreneur has also developed a string of hotels in the Edmonton area, including the Hyatt Place.
Prem Singhmar was one of the finalists for the 2015 Outstanding Philanthropist award and is also an Edmonton mayor prospect.
Reuben Singh (Jewels of Punjab Vol. II)
“Money isn’t what motivates entrepreneurs; it is acknowledgement-a craving for your ideas to be acknowledged.”
Reuben Singh’s entrepreneurship journey began like the lead in a coming-of-age movie. As a 17-year-old, he founded a women-centric fashion accessory brand called ‘Miss Attitude’ in 1995. His aim to cater a bold and fashionable image for his customer took no time in generating a buzz. However, due to his age and entrepreneurial experience, he was unable to secure support from venture capital firms.
Singh sold the company, which grew to over 100 outlets in the UK, for an undisclosed amount in 1999. He then founded AlldayPA next year. The contact center booked a profitable decade, allowing him to cultivate partnerships with global names like MBNA and TMobile.
Reuben Singh changed the standard of communication outsourcing and BPOs, especially for small and medium sized organisations.
Darshan Singh Dhaliwal (Jewels of India Leading Indo-American Personalities Vol-II)
“Success isn’t just money- its meaning, power is best used with purpose, and legacy lives in the lives we touch.”
Immigrant entrepreneurship stories usually involve a mix of challenging, transformative, and profound experiences. But Darshan Singh Dhaliwal’s tale is a rollercoaster ride of turning a vision into an empire. It started from a grounded effort in 1977, after leasing a small gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He worked over 15 hours everyday to keep the station running.
Two years later, Singh purchased his first petrol bunk for US$3700 and named it Darshan’s Gas. Over the next two decades, he gradually built a string of fuel stations across the States.
However, the feather in his cap came in October 2004, when he won a bid to acquire over 350 stations. The investment made him the biggest petroleum retailer in the US. Today, he has over 1000 filling stations under Dhaliwal Enterprises, apart from other diversified interests.
Lessons in Resilience
These three accounts from our Jewels of Punjab series showcase different mindsets, situations and paths. However, they share mutual lessons of courage and resilience.
As a leading legacy and coffee table book publisher, Maneesh Media strives to preserve such remarkable journeys. We believe every success story is simply someone willing to go deeper than others – that is the essence of our leadership focused books and Jewels of India series.
FAQs
Why did Maneesh Media start the Jewels of Punjab book?
Jewels of Punjab was created as an ode to the warriors and inspirations the state has produced over the decades. It was Maneesh Media’s way of highlighting patriotism, bravery and determination on India’s 71st Independence Day.
Jewels of India
Leading Indo-American Personalities Vol-II
As the success of Jewels of India – Bharat ki Shaan, Bharat ka Abhiman, indicates, our coffee table books are not meant to take up empty space. They are recorded legacies,showcasing your unique journey through impactful storytelling complemented by stunning visuals and design.
Why choose us to publish your legacy and story?
Maneesh Media has covered close to 3,000 prestigious families which contribute to India’s growing narrative globally. The elaborate list includes trailblazers from India and visionaries that left India to make a mark.
Our reliability and dedication has kept us in the business for almost three decades, during which we’ve had the privilege to extend our thread to over 40+ countries.
