Spotlight Series: From Entrepreneur to Advisor - Archana Samtani Singhania
By Orycia Karpa, WEOC Staff
As a business executive in India, Archana Samtani Singhania oversaw the growth of retail brands like Soch, which went from four to 130 retail stores under her guidance. When she immigrated to Canada two years ago, she wanted to use the business skills she developed in India to open her own business in Canada.
“As a new immigrant to Canada, I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I had no idea where to start,” says Archana Samtani Singhania. “I knew my first task would be to find entrepreneurial guidance in order to get my feet off the ground.”
Samtani Sighania reached out to an organization called the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) in order to establish herself as an entrepreneur in Canada.
“The ISSofBC helped me tremendously,” says Samtani Sighania. “I ended up volunteering with the organization and helped eight immigrant entrepreneurs set up their businesses as well as consulted with many others.”
Once Samtani Singhania started volunteering with the ISSofBC, she realized she could use her own business experience to help immigrant entrepreneurs get onto the right path.
“I know what it is like to set up a business in a new country,” she says. “It’s easy to plan and dream up a business, but to execute it is a whole other game.”
After volunteering with the ISSofBC, Samtani Singhania decided to dedicate her career to advising women entrepreneurs and became a business advisor with the Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC).
“Being an entrepreneur before becoming an advisor has helped me immensely,” says Samtani Singhania.
Samtani Singhania says there are so many things that go into a business, and it is extremely challenging.
She makes sure to remind her clients that every milestone matters.
“Experiencing all of that on my own has given me a good understanding of what goes into a successful business,” says Samtani Singhania. “The fulfillment that comes when your client achieves their goal is an incredible feeling.”