Web Desk
TORONTO: As many successful first-generation Indo-Canadian business people pass on the baton to their children, Brampton-based Rachita Gupta is one of the smartest new kids on the block.
At 25, she is already involved in decisions involving millions of dollars as she handles the fast-growing real estate portfolio at the Aarti Group of Companies, founded by her father Sandeep Gupta in 2006.
“She is wise beyond years and has a great head on her shoulders. I am very pleased to see how she is shaping up in her new role,” gushes her father.
Not even two years into her new role, Rachita, who toyed with the idea of becoming a doctor during her school days, is already handling more than that many seasoned executives at big corporates do.
The finality of her tone even at this initial stage of her business career shows that she will soon blossom into a topnotch businesswoman.
Her conversation is loaded with words `one hundred percent,’ indicating that the young entrepreneur will never believe in half measures.
With almost a dozen real estate projects in the pipeline for her, Rachita says right now she is solely focussed on their flagship project – Avalon Heights at 137 Steeles Avenue West – in Brampton.
Located at the gateway to Brampton near the corner of Hurontario and Steeles Avenue, this four-tower condo project on a five-acre lot opposite Shoppers World will change the face of the Flower City.
“Comprising four towers of about 50 storeys, Avalon Heights will have about 2,300 condo units with ultra modern facilities in and around it. The site plan work is in the process, and we will kick off its first phase early next year,” says Rachita.
Chips in her father, “The prime location of this project will turn this area into the Square One of Brampton. This is also the vision of our mayor Patrick Brown.”
Rachita says she cannot wait for the project to get off the ground.
“This project is my baby as I have been involved in it from day one – from land acquisition to site plan and what not…I know it inside out. I am really excited,” she gushes, explaining its minute details on her computer screen.
She says the project couldn’t be better located.
“This location is the gateway to Brampton, and the LRT (Light Rail Transit) Lineis is soon reaching its doorstep. The LRT station will be just a two-minute walk from our condos. The whole area around this project is going to become a very exciting place.”
Her ultimate goal, she says, is to create an unforgettable living experience for the residents.
“In real estate development, you always look at every component of your project – ensuring that it makes financial sense for the buyers, that living here will be an entirely new living experience, that you are creating top-class amenities, the commercial spaces, the daycare, accessible spaces and so on and so forth. We will provide all this and much more,” explains Rachita.
Calling Brampton an exciting marketplace, she says, “The unique thing about this city is its huge South Asian population. For them, we are creating townhouses in one of our projects to give them a unique opportunity to live with large families and also have the experience of condo living! They get all the benefits of condo living – plus the LRT nearby – without sacrificing anything.”
The crux of her business, she sums up, is all about creating balance.
“Real estate development is all about creating spaces that are financially viable and marketable and the places where people would want to live.”
She admits that it is a challenging business, particularly in these times. “The past one and a half years have been very difficult for the entire industry, so it was a little weird (time) to join this business.”
But she says she has learnt to persevere from her dad. “So when the market steadies, we will reap the rewards.”
Where does she see her business 10 years hence?
“Since we have many projects in the pipeline, they will start bearing fruit. We also want to increase our portfolio, but ensure that at least three to four projects are fully built out before we acquire new ones.”
Rachita also sees their real estate portfolio becoming a much bigger part of the Aarti Group of Companies.
“Since real estate development is a capital-intensive business with a long gestation period, we hope that in the next 10 years we would see lots of our returns start coming in.”
Moreover, she says, she would also like to see their mortgage business grow rapidly and become a separate independent entity at the Aarti Group.
“Since real estate development and mortgage go hand in hand, I am sure our expertise in both these businesses will make us strong players in the market.”
Since some of their projects are located in areas with large South Asian populations, Rachita says her Indo-Canadian background is an added asset for her in promoting their business.
“When South Asian buyers come in for discussion, they feel comfortable talking to me in Hindi. That’s a big plus.”
Rachita was only three when her family moved to Canada in 2002. “So I have grown up imbibing the best of both cultures. This will help me navigate the business world here.”
She describes herself as “an Indian born to first-generation immigrant parents who worked very hard to gain the success that they have today. I love my Indian culture and am fluent in Hindi.”
Another big asset for their business, she says, is that they are a close-knit family, with their extended family members working with them and also staying not far from one another.
“Family is a big thing for me, and we try to spend as much time as possible together and even take trips together.”
She says her dad is the biggest influence on her life.
“He has taught me that hard work is the only key to success. I have also learnt from him the importance of balance – working really hard but also giving yourself some down time. He is also a very kind person who always gives back to society.”
Any flaws in him?
“(Laughs): He works almost too much – sometimes crazy 15 hours a day, and I think he is too critical of himself. But then it comes from his passion to always better himself.”
And her mom Puja?
Rachita pays the bestest compliment that any child can ever pay his/her mom when she says, “Whenever I have kids, they won’t get a mom like her because she gives too much. I am very blessed to have been raised by her.”
Always a career-focussed girl, Rachita says she dreamed of becoming a doctor during her school days.
“Helping people has always held fascination for me, so I wanted to become a doctor. But as I grew older, dad advised me to keep my options open and also learn other subjects that could support the family business.”
Heeding his advice, she says, took accounting and finance in grade 12 to see if she had an aptitude for these subjects.
“Actually, I liked both the subjects. So when I applied for pre-medical schools, I also applied to business schools. But we decided that I would join a business school and we found Schulich to be the best choice for my BBA.”
Since her father’s plan was to put her at the helm of their global textile business, Rachita specialized in operation management and international business as part of her BBA degree.
But then COVID hit.
“Dad decided to pivot to investing in real estate with some partners. Since it was my final year of BBA and classes went online, he asked me to work with his partners – Elite Developers – as a project manager. So I joined them in 2020 even as I studied online and completed my BBA.”
While working at Elite Developers, she also completed her masters degree in urban planning from Waterloo in 2023.
“When I had accumulated an experience of three years in real estate, dad asked me to join him to take care of our real estate portfolio. So here I am today – supported by some very experienced professionals to take care of our projects – mostly in southern Ontario.”
She says she is happy to have found her real calling as creating new buildings holds fascination for her.
“I cherish the idea of creating homes and love every moment of what I am doing every day. I love this business.”
Her father couldn’t be happier.
Father Sandeep Gupta on Rachita
I am very happy the way Rachita is learning the ropes of the real estate business. For her age, the way she is handling the portfolio is amazing. Her decision-making and clarity of thought are brilliant!
Though she is working under our senior team, she is showing great leadership qualities. Since I want separate heads for my businesses, Rachita is shaping up very well to take on that role.
Look, I started my business from scratch, and today we have reached a very decent level of success. With the kind of real estate projects we have in the pipeline, the sky is the limit for her.
If she stays focussed, she could be a billionaire in her 30s. She has that kind of potential. And I have no reason to believe that she won’t reach that level of success.
Since real estate is a male-dominated business, it is not easy for women to make their mark. But I am sure Rachita will break all barriers as she is very firm and cannot be pushed around. At the same time, she also knows that as an entrepreneur you cannot allow your ego to come in the way of your business. She is a great learner!
As a businessperson when you cross 50 and you want to pass on the baton to your children, you must first know that the next generation is ready. In that context, my wife Puja and I are very lucky to have Rachita and Hardik (who will also join us soon after finishing his degrees). Credit must go to Puja for grooming them so well.
Mother Puja on Rachita
Rachita has that kind of bond with me that I had with my mom. I cannot recall any moment in life when my daughter gave me trouble. She was never a difficult kid.
Even in her teens when children sometimes become rebellious and unruly, Rachita was very well behaved and always listened to me. She has always cared for me. She always wants to make me happy.
Even now whenever she makes plans with her friends, she always consults me so that we don’t miss out on our family time together.
Though she is not aggressive, she knows how to handle difficult situations.
As she is very hard working, I have no doubt she will be a great business leader. She is also learning Spanish to help with our textile business.
Rachita will be a happy person in life because she knows the balance between business life and family life.
