I knew from an early age the importance of building community, and, in more ways than one, it became the foundation for significant moments in my career and my life. While I was not old enough to remember my grandfather when he passed away, my family honored his legacy through storytelling. Recounts of my grandfather’s life were told to me in vivid description; painting a picture of a man who was able to build something from essentially nothing. 

During the Partition of India in 1947, my grandfather was forced to leave what is now Pakistan and start over in India, leaving nearly everything behind. He eventually settled in Mumbai, where he began rebuilding his life and creating a new foundation for our family.

My grandfather and one of my uncles established an automotive business in Mumbai, which later was joined by my father and other relatives. The business expanded to include a successful auto service and spare-parts operations, auto accessory stores and a gas station. The family business quickly transformed from a modest shop to an expansive, full-service operation. But the stories of my grandfather’s rise to career success were never my favorite tales shared by family who remembered him fondly.

It was the stories of service that stand out in my mind still today.

WHAT FAMILY TAUGHT ME 

My grandfather was not just a business owner or a family man; he had a heart of giving. He kept blankets and clothes in the trunk of his car to give to people sleeping on the sidewalks of Mumbai, often going out quietly to distribute them without seeking recognition. And in the days of his owning and operating our family business, my grandfather would lend auto parts to and perform repairs on the local cab drivers’ cars without charge. If someone did not have the means to pay for a service, my grandfather was the one who made the repair happen regardless of the circumstances. 

The values of my grandfather were not limited to just stories. The drive to serve others was reflected in the generations that followed, and I saw this modeled in my father and other relatives my entire upbringing. And when I entered the workforce myself, their lessons in service to others stayed with me.

WHAT COMMUNITY TAUGHT ME

I arrived in the United States to pursue an MBA and later began an audit job at GHJ. At the time, Los Angeles was feeling more and more like my home. 

But as an immigrant who did not have relatives here, I desperately craved having a local family of my own. Holidays and events that were often celebrated or remembered alongside family when I lived in India became more important when I permanently set up residence in the U.S. 

It was meaningful for me to still honor these culturally significant moments in time, so I decided to find others within the South Asian community that could get together on the same time zone and coast, even when our religions differed. 

The more people I met, the more I enjoyed building community. The relationships I was developing with members of the South Asian community in Los Angeles expanded to include people I met through religious institutions, nonprofits, businesses and the broader Los Angeles community. Over time, this network grew to include business and community leaders, professionals and business executives. 

This network began earnestly, as a way to fill a void I was experiencing because of a change in my environment. But as it evolved, I quickly learned how much the relationships I sought for my own sense of belonging and community were actually providing opportunities to serve others. I found myself connecting someone looking for a trusted financial advisor with the right person, or an up-and-coming leader with a Board opportunity that aligned with their values. While it was not car parts, providing people with the right resources and connections based on my community became my own way of honoring my grandfather and the family that molded me. 

And this taught me an important business lesson.

The connections we make and communities we build are rooted in values. So, as we look to develop networks of our own that can serve us professionally, we must first look to what matters to us:

Seek Out People You Get Along With

When you work with people whose company you enjoy, the rest simply falls into place. I make business connections the same way I used to make friends as a child: I find something in common with them, and the reason to connect with them again is instantly revealed. 

Do Not Make It About Business 

I built my business relationships by starting with a network of people who had similar cultural upbringings to my own. My approach was never to serve a business need I had, or even one GHJ had; and because of that, I made friends in the process. These friends later became referrals to business or even clients themselves.

Find Ways You Can Invest in Others

I genuinely enjoy helping those across my network address their challenges or take advantage of opportunities they have yet to pursue. With an investment in their organization and their success, it energizes me to support them. When you look to build business relationships, do not focus only on who could become a potential client. Instead, consider how you can help this person, with no strings attached.

Stay Curious

Maintain a sense of wonder; it is this openness and curiosity that keeps me asking questions to those within my network. These conversations start with my interest in people’s passions or careers and eventually open the door to business.

WHAT SERVICE TO OTHERS CONTINUES TO TEACH ME

While I was too young to remember much about my grandfather by the time he passed, I like to believe my tenacity toward community building is a gift from him. And his is not the only story that has shaped me. Over the next year, I plan to invite leaders, community members, mentors and others who have inspired me throughout my life to share the experiences and lessons that have shaped them — how they have built relationships, navigated challenges, created opportunities and made an impact on the people around them. I hope you will follow along as I share their stories and the lessons they continue to impart on me.