As I entered into the business premises of JC optical and hearing, to have an interface, I find myself in a spic and span space, with aesthetically displayed vision products, in glittering glass cabinets – which cannot escape the entering prospective customer’s gaze, to give a good considered view to get acclimatized with latest trends in sunglasses as well as sight vision frames et al.

When I turned around, I saw the first generation technically trained entrepreneur Jason Cheema, being busy attending to the queries of a prospective customer.

When free, I was escorted into a cozy room, wherein I was in a brief chat to understand the 5 years journey of the captioned venture of Mr. Cheema a 33 years young Scorpion.

If an entrepreneur has conceived an idea, then there is no need to start immediately. That doesn’t mean to quit your job and jump into your idea 100% from day one, but there’s always small progress that can be made to start the venture in the near future. That is why Jason worked for 5 years in the industry and when he understood the tricks of the trade as well as trade, he opened his own and did not look back

As I walked the talk, I came to know that Jason is a born Canadian who has been totally educated in British Columbia and Alberta.

On an academic front, as per him, he pursued 2 year -Opticals Prog ending in the year 2005 and then underwent another 3 years Hearing Course in Edmonton which he completed in 2011.

During his confabulations, he informed me that he had in his mind from the beginning to be a self- employed sole proprietor. For this he wanted to learn and get fully trained in the business. So, he joined Loblaws (a Real Canadian Superstore group of companies) in Opticals department where he worked for 5 years and then he ventured to open his first enterprise in surrey BC (# 109, 12565 88 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 3J7) in the year 2014. Since he was doing very well, he opened another store in Langley in 2017. Now both the stores are doing well, as per Mr. Cheema When asked the reason behind opening this store at such a young age with no business in the family, he indicated with a deep breath that, “I wanted to help our community and secure my family’s future.”

It is certainly not about how many years of experience you have; it’s about the quality of your years of experience that matters, and then immaculate planning plus a calculated risk help establish a new business like a satellite out of the gravitational orbit of uncertainty.

When I asked him the 3 basic things needed to be successful in a sole-ownership type of venture, pat came the reply, “Passion for business, best customer service and after sales, disciplinary approach, honesty and taking care of loyal customers is my idea of success.” As per him, for 3 years in a row his business has been rated number 1 by the leading Weekly Newspaper the Leader-Now.

When I queried him about the strength of his business, he stated,” I have all the leading brands available plus top of the line latest equipment, well experienced professionals, cool, calm, and composed customer Service and a passion to serve my customers and dole out after sales service in succession is my strength. My biggest USP is being an owner on the shop floor which helps me to win over customers with sincerity of purpose and honesty of commitment.

On the hobbies front, he loves playing Field Hockey from his school days and has a keen interest in Basketball and Soccer.

In closing, I asked him where he sees himself down the lane of time after 10 years, he quantified that, he will expand in more locations in the lower mainland. In another 2 years he is will have another store see the light of day.

Let us wish him success in succession

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