Key Point
- Cassowary Coast Council awarded Mr Satkirat the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Australia Day Awards.
- Satkirat, who studied science in Sydney, strayed from orthodontics and started working on e-commerce.
- Through her unconventional career choice, she overcame cultural biases regarding personal values.
In an interview with SBS Punjabi, Satkirat talked about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
From growing up on a farm to living in Sydney
Satkirat studied for a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie University in Sydney and completed a Masters in Orthoptology before changing gears and starting an e-commerce business in Cairns.
Looking back on her journey thus far, she said, “My career goal was always to be an orthoptist.”
But she said she doesn’t see herself working as an ophthalmologist.
Plan A didn’t give her the satisfaction she was looking for, so she took the “unconventional route.”
“I’ve always loved leadership, design (and) teamwork, so I pivoted to starting my own business,” Satkirat said.
Satkirat Kaur graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University in Sydney and changed course to start an e-commerce business. credit: Satkirat Kaur
Choose an unconventional route
Satkirat spoke candidly about her expectations for choosing a widely accepted career path and described her family’s reaction to her career change.
“They reacted just like any Punjabi parent would,” Satkirat said.
“In our community, we have prejudices because of what our mothers and fathers or older generations have seen, and their experiences, so of course it doesn’t make sense to them. Our (next generation) challenges are very different.”
However, Satkirat said she believes her parents were cautious in changing her career path so that she felt confident and focused on her decision.
“If you keep doing that, if that’s what you want, you will be living in harmony and your parents will understand that,” Satkirat said.
Satkirat Kaur has won Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Cassowary Coast Council’s Australia Day Awards. credit: Satkirat Kaur
young entrepreneur of the year
Jill’s Stationery Innisfail owner and manager Sam Corica nominated Satkirat for the Cassowary Coast Council Australia Day Award.
Corica explained the reasons behind the appointment in a written statement.
“Satkirat is a young man who is passionate about achieving goals and growing and evolving his business to fit the current market,” Corica wrote.
“Satkirat is growing an idea and building a business model, and by securing a meaningful product that aligns with business values, we are well positioned to be an excellent candidate for the 2024 Australia Day Awards – Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. It is located in.”
message to others
In her message to the community, Satkirat shared her wisdom with other young people who may be struggling to choose a career goal.
“First of all, you have to start with yourself. Think deeper and ask yourself what you want to start doing,” Satkirat said.
In this podcast, hear Satkirat’s journey from growing up on a farm to launching an e-commerce business.
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