Climbing The Worldly Ladders (The Last Smile: A Father's Love Story by Jeevan Zutshi-8)

In 1987 I took my first real plunge into owning my own business and creating a secure future here. I decided to open a gas station. Many engineers I knew advised me to purchase one, as they had done. So while I was still working as an engineer, I purchased one. Although I cannot really say I enjoyed it, I nevertheless was stimulated by the novelty of learning the business of operating a gas station. However, I soon discovered that this work was not as lucrative as I thought, considering how much time I needed to invest in it. I thought about selling it, but I would have been selling at a loss, so in an effort to make the enterprise work, I purchased another station with a mini-food market in 1989. 

In the late 1980's a little food shop attached to a gas station was not as common as it is today. Between managing my regular engineering job and my home life, I spent many hours managing the stations to make them profitable. Usha poured herself into managing the employees and helped run the business. The results of her diligent efforts paid off quickly. By 1991 we were able to sell both stations at a reasonable profit. By the time we made the sale, I had started to devote all my time in the field of real estate. Of course, I still maintained my license to sell insurance as well, as I knew the two worked together. Soon we were able to purchase some rental property. In 1991, the real estate market was in a state of dramatic change. Prices were dropping and interest rates were going up. These times were quite stressful for everyone. 

However, we were fortunate to pull through and survive the early 1990's. In the mid-1990's, the markets turned and my real estate efforts proved more fruitful. This trend has continued for me to the time of this writing. I had struggled throughout my entire adult life, from my first job in Kashmir to building a life here in the United States, striving to get to the place where my family could enjoy a degree of financial freedom. And it is meaningful for me that I saw a life beyond the every day stresses created by the simple desire to survive. I was enjoying the fruits of my success and able to turn my attention to my community, where I could help better the lives of others. I should also mention that the family continued to grow, as during this time, Surender and Ruchi were blessed with another daughter, Vanie, who was born on September 19, 1987.