Entrepreneurship, hard work and empathy are all skills my dad exhibits. Growing up, I saw my dad endlessly run his side-businesses coupled with his full-time job, and I told my 10-year-old self, “I want to be him one day.” Did 10-year-old Kaamil know what it was like to be in his shoes? Absolutely not, but I was motivated by my dad to do something that could help me determine if business was truly a passion of mine. Upon tentatively having my mind set on pursuing a business degree back in grade 9, I immediately began researching business schools in Canada, and it was the modern, case-based method of learning that kept my eyes set on Ivey.
That being said, I have always believed that passion isn’t formed by what you see, it is formed by what you do. Propelled by this, I applied to a competitive regional program in high school: International Business and Technology (IBT). In grade 10 of this program - to foster an entrepreneurial mindset - students had the option to participate in a Dragon’s Den venture, wherein students would create a business and sell their products to our school body. I knew right away that this would be the perfect way to determine if I was passionate about business, specifically entrepreneurial ventures. My father’s involvement in the apparel industry motivated me to sell customizable t-shirts and hoodies for this venture, and before I knew it, No Shirt Sherlock was born. I curated logos, posters, and social media feeds to advertise my new start-up, with a table in the foyer showcasing product samples. The interest generated was overwhelming; students were practically stepping over each other to get their hands on my samples. My quality products and low pricing also intrigued school faculty, many of whom placed bulk orders for their families. After countless trips to the apparel and printing warehouses, my first shipment arrived. A full night of hard work placing custom stickers and packaging transformed those hoodies into my product. The emotional sense of achievement was complemented by fiscal success; my business generated $2800 in revenue. No success is complete until rewards are shared: all proceeds were donated to charity and I gained valuable lessons on social responsibility and humility. Spurred on by my success, I was one of the only students who continued to expand my venture. Above all, this hustle made me realize that, indeed, business is my passion, and I couldn’t have put it to the test if it wasn’t for my father. Without a doubt, No Shirt Sherlock was the highlight of my AEO application.
Alongside this initial enterprise, I knew that the business world is built off teamwork, and I wanted to enhance those skills and gather retail work experience. Three months of resume submissions and cold calling finally landed me an interview at Staples to be a Technology Sales Associate: the second stepping stone in the pursuit of my dreams. My overall experience at Staples was crucial in providing me insight into the unpredictability and complexity of the business world and taught me how to be adaptive and creative. Now armed with an arsenal of tools including courage, humility, and humanity, I know I can adapt and face any uncertainties that come my way in future business endeavors.
Aside from these two main activities, my desire to enhance the connection with my community did not end there. In high school, I was an active member of our school’s Student Activity Council (SAC) as a Technology & Logistics Executive. Working to bring our school community together in a myriad of ways was complemented by hard work and taught me the importance of staying connected to my community. I also represented my high school as a student ambassador for Mississauga public transit (MiWay), where I created promotional materials and marketed the accessibility to public transit. As a result of my efforts and subsequent success, I was awarded Ambassador of the Year amongst all high schools in Mississauga and formally recognized at City Council. My success with the campaigns was yet another reason why I knew business was for me.
Had it not been for my extensive involvement, I would not have learned the power of balance and time management. There were days were things got tough and it was hard to manage academics, but understanding the power of time is what got me through. I constantly reminded myself that one minute is 60 seconds, one hour is 60 minutes, and one day is 24 hours. It is possible if you want it to be. As I headed into my final year of high school, I began writing my AEO application, and months later, my purity and hard work proved itself with an opportunity to the business school of my dreams.
Now, as a second year AEO student, I have since come a long way; enhancing the lessons high school taught me. From living through a pandemic while concluding my high school career, to taking 5 in-person classes while living away from home, I’ve had to learn to adapt. In my first term of first year, the new environment really shocked me, and it took me a while to adjust to my surroundings and find my place. If you currently feel this way, my biggest piece of advice is twofold: realize that adjusting takes time and focus on the positives. What helped me throughout my first term was fostering new friendships and changing my way of living – this entailed things such as making a gym routine and ensuring that overall down time was built into my schedule. I also learned that the university environment is not as intimate as it used to be in high school. By joining some of the multitude of extra-curriculars here at Western, you can, and will, find your people. One of my involvements this year was being a faculty soph, and the connections and friendships I made were ones that I will forever remember and appreciate. Although everyone has their own way of figuring things out, I can confidently say one thing: that it will all work out and you will find your place. Everything you come across will have problems, but it is your job to find the solution and learn for the future - just like an Ivey case study.