SPOTLIGHT: SANDEEP AHUJA- A FIRST GENERATION ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE

As I went to see Sandeep Ahuja in his huge and tidy office, I was at ease with the aura his office was exhibiting. After basic courtesies were over, this President of Punjab Insurance Agency was almost ready in his cozy office for a maiden interface. Now, this lanky, 48 years young Scorpion- was hurriedly getting settled in the chair- looking pre-occupied on the fringe and searching for his immigrant past of two decades as he landed in Canada in Ontario Province -in the year 1998- to find his success story Like almost everyone, he made a humble beginning to pay his bills. Being a Restaurateur, back home in India at Chandigarh, he joined the industry as a waiter so that he can understand the tricks of the trade as well as trade. Soon he realized that this fieldmay not be his cup of tea as a businessman over here.

Then he met Sr. Bachhiter Singh Mehmi, who suggested him to join Bank service, as opportunities were available. When asked why he joined RBC as Insurance Advisor, he stated with a huge pause,” I thought I can successfully do that keeping in view my strengths i.e. I like people around me. Moreover, I was foreknowing this to start my own business in the insurance field in near future.” It will not be out of place to mention that he left RBC after two years’ service and opened his independent\nBrokerage. Being destined, he met S. Sher Singh Rana and both started this present venture - in 2006 - under the name and style of Punjab Insurance Agency Inc. While Rana takes care of Toronto office, Sandeep manages the Surrey Office. When asked, how much confident he was to foresee his Insurance business will be a roaring success.

He quipped,” “If you really believe that you have something amazing to share with the world (and there is a market for it), then go for it as the risk is a calculated one.” His Unique Selling Point (USP) is to dole out best customer service to his clients in succession. Towards ocular proof, he has an in-house Claims Assistance Department for fast processing of claims. On family front, he is youngest among the four siblings. Two of his elderly brothers are in Insurance business too- in Canada. As they say, behind every successful man there is a woman, his wife Rashmi Ahuja, also an insurance advisor, is actively engaged in this business.

With God’s grace & their hard work, they have shaped this business as a successful venture. They are blessed with three children namely Abhinav (16 years), Simone (12 years), and Tesoro (1 year). On hobbies front, he loves playing Badminton and go for a long drive with his nuclear family. When asked where he sees himself in the next 10 years, pat came the reply,”I want to keep serving our community to the best of my ability”.

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Prof. Surinder Kochhar (Shaun)\nLPN, FCN, M.Com, CAIIB, DIM A freelance writer with 36 Years Exp. A Diabetes Coach of University of Victoria

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