Success in the Modern World: How to Redefine Personal and Professional Success
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
by Jyot Thakkar, Owner, The Secret Kitchen, Canada
As a woman and an entrepreneur, I deeply understand the meaning of success in the modern world. I always knew I aspired for both personal and professional success. But the real task lies in managing both symbiotically. Today, I am a business leader and a mother of two but the path to get here was full of lessons. Here are some that I acquired along the way:
1. Success isn’t a linear process:
I discovered my passion for food as a teenager, through my father's successful catering business in India. But I soon began studying computer engineering in Canada. My father’s dream of launching a restaurant stayed with me but education was key. Only after my master’s and gaining some work experience, I decided to venture into entrepreneurship. Along with a close friend, I began running a few quick-service restaurants. Our venture The Secret Kitchen came much later because we saw the need for high-end modern Indian cuisine. Without any restaurant experience in Canada, I wouldn’t have been the right person to launch such a venture. So, success in the modern world, much like any other era, requires experience, patience, and consistency.
2. You define your own success:
While focus is an integral skill to have, in today’s multi-passionate world, it’s possible to have several interests. I knew I wanted to embrace motherhood as much as I wanted to become an entrepreneur. I didn’t let either stand in the way of the other. That was my definition of success. Today, I manage my business along with my role as a mother. My mornings are reserved for my children and from pre-lunch to closing, I am at the restaurant. This phase is as exciting as it’s exhausting but I know I am doing it on my own terms. This holistic approach allows me to thrive both personally and professionally. Start with your definition of success instead of blindly following what appears to be someone else’s.
3. Don’t hesitate to ask for help:
Women, especially, are expected to have it all but that’s impossible. I am privileged to have the support of my family, who are a pillar of strength and generously help with taking care of my children when I need them to. This allows me to don the multiple hats I need to as an entrepreneur, manager, problem-solver, mother, and wife. On the business side of things, I teamed up with celebrity chef and restaurateur Aanal Kotak to learn from her expertise in this industry. Whether it’s your team or family members, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It makes you human and allows you to have your version of professional and personal success.
4. Ace the skill of people management:
No matter what you do – having the ability to work harmoniously with people can solve even the most complex problems. At my restaurant, I initially struggled with multitasking, learning new skills, managing a staff, and training them. Only when I started working with my team members regularly, I began to see their different strengths and weaknesses, styles of working, and what motivates them. This has offered great learning opportunities as an entrepreneur and for my personal life.
Final thoughts:
The definition of success is malleable in the modern world and that’s the best part about it. My journey began as an engineer and today, I am an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry. This only became possible because I didn’t let traditional templates define or obstruct my journey. To achieve success in the modern world, you must prepare yourself for the dynamic path that awaits you, have a clear definition of what success feels like for you, ask for the necessary support when you need to, and become adept at working with people.
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