Inspired by a father to experience the world
When Taj Singh was nine years old, his father left their home in Punjab, India, to work in the United States, hoping to create a more secure financial future for his children.
His dad worked at 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. while Singh grew up on the family farm with his mom and five siblings. “He always had a dream for his kids to go to better schools and to have better studies.”
One day, a regular customer asked his father if he aspired to own his own 7-Eleven. This conversation lit a spark and eventually he did come to own one of the franchise. Singh says his father, who has traveled to many countries, is the inspiration for his decision to experience the world. When his dad sold the store and returned to India, Singh was 19 and preparing to leave for post-secondary school in New Zealand in 2009. “We kind of had seven to eight months of time,” he says, which they spent sharing stories. “It was a lot to catch up for him and I think he did a great job.”
Read the full story here: 2022 People Project – Taj and Sarmad’s stories
Listen to the podcast episode by Holding Heritage.
More from this series:
- Introducing the Newcomer Entrepreneur Series in Campbell River
- Interview 1: Rica Briones and Ivan Raganot, JRV Filipino Asian Store
Photo: Taj and Shaylene at Pita Pit in August in Campbell River. Photo by Marissa Tiel
