Last month, I was honoured to win the “Inspirational Leader of the Year” award at the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine‘s National Business Awards that was held in Toronto, Canada.
As someone who is relentlessly focused on execution, this award is an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far I have come. It’s also an important reminder that leadership does not happen in a vacuum. It really does boil down to people who have extended to you the privilege of their time, attention, and energy to be a part of what you are building. To that end, I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues at 369 Global and beyond who I hope know that my leadership journey serves to reflect their own.
While I was not able to attend the awards gala due to personal circumstances, it was only appropriate that my friend and business partner, Muraly Srinarayanathas, was there to accept the award on my behalf as he serves as my own inspiration in entrepreneurship.
Congratulations to my fellow award winners and to all nominees for this year’s honours, and for the tremendous work that SK Uddin and his team at CanadianSME are doing to highlight SMEs in our country.
SMEs make up over 99 percent of all businesses in Canada, create nearly two-thirds of the jobs in this country and contribute billions to the GDP. We are not just participants in the economy, we drive it. As SME leaders who have this incredible impact on the competitiveness, growth and prosperity of this country, now is the time to step up more and help build the One Canadian Economy. Let’s recognise the power of our everyday leadership in business, lean into it and lead with purpose – not just for profit, but to build lasting impact.
Special thanks to my office, led by the multifaceted Anowa Q., for penning my nomination for this award. 🙏🏾
