Prakhar Sahni, managing director of the TOTL Group of Companies, immigrated to Canada in 2020. He now calls Surrey home, where he continues to grow his entrepreneurial journey while embracing the community that Canada has to offer.
Q. What inspired you to make the move to Canada, and how has your journey been so far?
A. I moved to Canada in 2020 to pursue better opportunities for my undergraduate studies, a higher quality of life, and a stable environment for growth. The journey has been rewarding, although it came with its share of challenges. Over time, I have built a successful career, established myself in the business community, and created a life that I am proud of.
Q. Where did you first stay when you arrived in Canada?
A. When I first arrived, I stayed in a shared accommodation in Vancouver while I settled in. Living with others helped me adjust to my new surroundings and made the transition easier.
Q. How would you describe your experience finding a job in Canada?
A. Finding employment was challenging at first because I had to adapt to a new work culture and build professional connections. However, persistence and networking helped me create opportunities and eventually establish my own business ventures.
Q. What were some of the biggest surprises or challenges you faced when you first arrived?
A. Adjusting to the weather, understanding Canadian workplace expectations, and building a new social network from scratch. I was also pleasantly surprised by how multicultural and welcoming Canada is. However, immigration is not always easy. There were days when things felt overwhelming, and I questioned whether I had made the right decision. At times, I even felt like returning home. Looking back, those difficult moments helped me grow stronger and more resilient.
Q. How has your experience as an immigrant shaped your view of Canada as a country
A. The thing I admire most about Canada is its diversity. As an immigrant, I never felt pressured to give up my culture to fit in. Instead, I found that Canada encourages people to celebrate their heritage while also becoming part of the larger community. It has also shown me that Canada values fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity. While challenges certainly exist, I have found that there are many resources and communities willing to support newcomers who are trying to build a better future for themselves.
Q. If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently about your immigration journey?
A. I would focus more on networking and understanding the Canadian job market before arriving. Doing so could have helped me settle in and advance professionally more quickly. Looking back, I underestimated how important professional relationships are when building a career in a new country.
Q. How do you see the future for yourself and your family in Canada?
A. I see a bright future in Canada. My goal is to continue growing the TOTL Group of Companies, create employment opportunities, and contribute positively to my community while achieving long-term personal and professional success. We have already successfully expanded to major cities such as Toronto and Calgary, which has been an exciting milestone for our business.
Proudest Moment in Canada
Becoming a business owner and leading a growing company. It represents the hard work, resilience, and determination that helped me build a life in Canada. More than proud, I feel grateful to the Almighty for helping me achieve these milestones at the age of 26.
Advice for Immigrants
Building a new life takes time, but networking, working hard, and staying open to opportunities can make a huge difference. If everything is happening exactly the way you want it to, great. But if they’re not, that’s even better; God's plan could have something much bigger waiting for you.