Lessons Learned From My Grandparents

We had a big surprise at the weekend.

There was a small exhibition about immigration in Coleraine, Northern Ireland where I now live. Coleraine is a small town near The Dark Hedges, The Giant’s Causeway and has several incredible beaches nearby.

One of Rachel’s best friends, Indu, was featured and her story was amazing.

After we read that with joy, we walked to the next part and saw my grandfather, Dwarka Nath Kapur, mentioned. That was an unexpected surprise.

It got me thinking about my grandparents, among the first Indians in Northern Ireland in 1952. I was lucky enough to live with them for many years. They passed away 25 years ago, however, their legacy continues and inspires me with my own family and business.

Business is not just hitting targets, it’s also bringing people together to share a vision, culture and cause. Despite raising 6 boys, my grandmother’s house was a meeting point for the Indian community. A safe house where kids played, people shared stories, made amazing food and boasted about their kids’ achievements, all with a common purpose of mutual support and self-improvement.

There was always a book to read. My grandmother told me “reading makes you smarter”. In the business world, there’s a saying “the more you learn, you more you earn”. My career took off when I starting implementing this philosophy with sales books and eventually, personal development, mindset and business books.

When my grandfather sold clothes, he went door to door in the freezing cold, pouring rain, snow, wind, and ice. He never said “I don’t want to be rejected all day and walk 10 miles in the cold”. He got out of his comfort zone and after four years, had enough money to build his own clothes shop.

12 Clare Road. Ballycastle. The business didn’t even have a name! It was an address at the back of the house, so when my grandfather finished work at 7pm every night, he could sit down for dinner at 7.01pm with the family. Only 1 customer at a time was ever allowed in his shop. They were treated like royalty. Even though the clothes they purchased were normal everyday wear, nobody was rushed. Customers would often wait for an hour to get a shirt and pair of trousers.

My grandfather opened his business at 8am for customers who needed clothes before work. He opened until 7pm in case anyone needed clothes after work. He even opened Sundays before Sunday trading was common, to accommodate those who worked on Saturdays. Profits went to his family and charities in India and Northern Ireland.

I think about my grandparents a lot and miss them dearly, especially my grandmother who I was close to in her final years. I’m honoured that their legacy lives on in my heart and in my business.

If you want generate more sales in business and to kick ass on LinkedIn, contact me for 1:1 coaching or group training.