Who is Natty Minhas, could you please introduce yourself?

Natty Minhas. I’m a mortgage agent working at CMFG under the leadership of a wonderful, strong woman. And now I’m also a licensed realtor and have joined AKARAT GROUP in Oakville.

What is your business and when did you start?

 I started as a mortgage agent in 2019 and now I’m a licensed realtor as well.

What inspired you to start your business?

To be honest, when I landed in Canada, 5 years back, I had absolutely no direction. I took whatever others were suggesting without thinking that this decision should be about me. Only when I started my Airbnb business, I started to realize that I have much more potential than I ever gave myself credit for. Getting the appreciation from my guests, being a super host for 3 years and connecting with people is where I got the inspiration. I was my OWN inspiration. From there on, after a lot of ups and downs, settling into a new country, trying to get my life on track, I decided to face my fears and complete my real estate course and here I am! Not looking back but moving forward.

What were the challenges in the initial stages of your business and how did you overcome them?

With so much going on in terms of social media marketing, I wasted a lot of time and money investing without thinking. And went into a financial crisis. Connecting with people has never been a problem for me! The problem was saying NO. I know, this sounds strange, why say no in business? Well, at times, that one word gives you the power to control your life and reach your goals. The moment I started saying no to what wouldn’t add growth and value to my life, I started making progress.

What motivates you about your business?

Real Estate, like one person I recently met, said to me is a cut throat business and you’re too good for this industry (words of an investor!). I believe my good intention of delivering valued advice to potential clients, helping Canadians own home, build equity, without breaking their backs and making an individualized personalized plan by understanding where they are in life and what their goals are, is my biggest motivation! Seeing people own a place to finally call home is my motivation. Especially for the FTHB and so many fellow Canadians who have been renting out for years, when they land a place, this is what brings me pleasure!

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

There is no failure in anything if you keep going. I failed so many times but one thing that kept me going was my courage. If you have the courage, if you are determined, if you’re ready to progress, you will come across a few barriers. Those barriers are what we take on as our learning for life, and there’s no defeat. Absolutely no defeat if there’s courage. You fail to learn, you fail to get better, you fail to improve and then you make your path through it all towards your goals, one after an other…

Interesting fact most of the people do not know about you?

I’m a mother to triplet girls! And I started college at the age of 43! Yes! 43… now I’m a graduate! Something I wanted to do for so long and finally have done it. Currently, I am training as a counsellor for addictions and mental illnesses.

The best business advice I ever received was…

Put yourself forward. Don’t let your fears dominate you. You must get out there and put yourself out there. Don’t worry about the ending, it’s the beginning that matters.

My definition of success is…

that it’s a state of mind. Success is like an individual entity. Wherever you are in life, whatever you’ve achieved, whatever help you’ve been to others, it’s all success. You determine your own success. It’s never ending.

If I could go back in time when I started my business, I would tell myself to…

Have more faith in my self. Instead of asking around for referrals, connections, just do it on my own… Finances are the most important. Not to go over board and burden myself, financially. Some discomfort is good. But there has to be a line drawn of how much burden you can put yourself in.

Three books I recommend for entrepreneurs are…

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle 

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill 

My personal tagline is…

Ask, believe, receive!