BY GARY THANDI
“If I was to give a message to anybody, it is that life is about living. We are taught from a young age to focus on becoming successful, and success is important. But what is success? An old expression says: rich people have money, but wealthy people have time. Time is what we need. Time is precious. It is imperative to build and maintain wealth, and it is essential to be successful, have aspiration, motivation, and desire. But we should not forget what all this is about, it’s about living,” says Harp Dhillon.
Harp was born and raised in Punjab and moved to Canada in 1990. After several years in Ontario, Harp moved to the Lower Mainland and has been here for over twenty-five years. He is the principal of the Harp Dhillon Group of RBC Dominion Securities, one of the top investment management teams in Canada. “We are a family office for wealthy clients,” he explains. “Our average client has over $10 million in net worth, with a minimum of five million dollars in investable assets. We provide guidance on how to preserve and grow their capital, fulfill their goals, and plan to financially enable their future generations. Our role not only requires investment management knowledge, but also taxation, insurance, business succession, legacy, and estate planning. All these components apply to the overall wealth of our clients.”
Harp cites support from his mother and his spouse as keys to his own success. “There are many accomplished people that I admire and respect, but these two women have had the biggest impact on my life. It is the choices you make that set you apart in one direction or the other,” he continues. “While education plays a prominent role in the road to success, what we learn from everyday experiences and the world in general are equally important in shaping the choices we make; your decisions are a result of the mentorship that you get and the people that you come across and are influenced by. I am passionate about reading and ongoing learning. For next-generation leaders, I would quote them a line by Mark Twain, ‘a person who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over a person who can’t read.’”
“If I look back, 5, 10, or 20 years ago as to what my views and priorities were, versus what they are now, I notice that they have been influenced. Certain values will never change, but the passage of time impacts you as you learn more, and this development will be apparent in your values at any given time in your life. Life is not about hoping, wishing, and expecting. It is about doing, being, and becoming.”
“Life is full of challenges and opportunities. There is so much excitement when you get on the right path of achieving your goals. My advice for anyone starting off in their careers would be to create and follow a written plan and to seek out a mentor. Many successful people are happy to share their time, so don’t hesitate to ask.”
Harp has given back to the community throughout his life and continues to do so in his current role as Board Chair of Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “Healthcare is important for us and our future generations. I am fortunate to be a member of this great team and community. I believe giving back is a principle everyone should strive for, whether that is in the form of money, knowledge, or experience.”
