20.74°C Vancouver

Apr 17, 2026 7:39 PM - Pervez Sandhu - Connect Newsroom

How to build a successful business? Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas

Share On
how-to-build-a-successful-business-exclusive-with-dragons-den-star-manjit-minhas
Manjit Minhas at the Surrey and White Rock women in business awards in Surrey. (Photo credits: A Master Media)

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.

Manjit Minhas
Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)



How to make start-ups successful?

In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many people have ideas, but only a few people put energy into bringing these ideas to life. She said that an idea is of no use until its implementation and execution. She added, it is not necessary that the business succeeds at the first opportunity, sometimes the direction or strategy also has to be changed, but she said that the beginning is important. Manjit stressed that it is difficult for an outsider to even guess how much time they personally invest in their business today. She said that it is very important to stay engaged and work hard. She said that for start-ups, appearing for an audition on Dragons Den can also be a good option.

Right time for investment or business?

When Manjit Minhas was asked about whether the current financial situation is good or bad for investment, considering the current global, national and regional factors, she said that when the financial conditions are not favorable, sometimes such a time can prove to be better for investment. Manjit said, there's hardly any time that can be considered easy to start a business, and she added, how long can one wait for the easy times. She said that one should move forward and look for opportunities in difficulties.

Canada - Land of Opportunities for Immigrants?

Manjit Minhas says that she was born and brought up in Canada but her parents and her in-laws came here as immigrants. She said that many people think that there were no difficulties in starting a business in the 60s or 70s, but this is not the case. Manjit said that it is necessary to understand that every time has its challenges. She said that no time is easy, but if someone has a good idea and focuses on making a work successful with their hard work, then that's the right step on the way to be successful.

Manjit Minhas at the Surrey and White Rock women in business awards. (Photo - A Master Media)



Punjabi woman in brewery business, has there ever been a question on business choice?

Manjit Minhas says, she was also asked questions about getting into the brewery business by some people, where it was considered inappropriate for a woman to run this kind of a business, but she said that her family always supported her. Manjit said that it was always clear from her family that whatever business she wants to go into or whatever work she wants to do, it is her choice and the family has always supported. She said that the support has continued from her in-laws too.

How was the experience of Dragons' Den?

Manjit Minhas says that this year she is completing 12 years in Dragons' Den. She said that the entire experience of this show has been amazing. She said that when she started, she did not even think that this journey would be so long and beautiful.

Winners of Surrey and White Rock women in business awards in Surrey. (Photo - A Master Media)



Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards

A total of 7 winners were selected at Thursday's event. Raman Dhaliwal from WR Mattress won in the Small Business category. Maxime Spakowski from Ferro Building Systems won the Large Business category. Similarly, Paula Bude from Love This Therapy won the Professional category, Meghan Neufeld from Baby-Go-Round won the Not for Profit Leader category, and Hermina Khara from Odgers won the Corporate Leader category. Nicole Heidari, SWR Drain Service Ltd. won the Emerging Leader Category, and Andie van der Eerden, Running on Faith Project won the Social Trailblazer Category.

Video link of the exclusive interview with Manjit Minhas:

Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas; How to build a successful business?
Connect Media Network (@connect.medianetwork) | TikTok
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BbHuNu29c/


Latest news

BCJul 08, 2026

RCMP marine unit rescues 11 people after canoe overturns in Burrard Inlet

Eleven people, including several youths, were rescued from the waters of Burrard Inlet after a large canoe overturned near Ambleside Beach on Saturday afternoon, according to the BC RCMP. Police said officers with the RCMP Tactical Marine Operations Group (TMOG), who were conducting patrols in Burrard Inlet, received a distress call over Marine VHF Channel at about 3:30 p.m. on July 5 reporting an overturned canoe off Ambleside Beach. Four TMOG vessels were dispatched to the scene. According to the RCMP, officers arriving at the location found all 11 occupants clinging to the overturned canoe.
AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Report says Alberta has widest gender pay gap in Canada

Women in Alberta continue to earn less than men than in any other province, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). The report found that women in Alberta earn 64 cents for every dollar earned annually by men, compared with a national average of 72 cents. Looking at weekly earnings, women in the province earn 71 cents for every dollar earned by men, while the national average is 80 cents, according to the report. Katherine Scott, a senior researcher with the CCPA, said Alberta has ranked at or near the bottom nationally for years. She said the provinc
family-distracted-store-staff-while-children-swiped-jewelry-calgary-police
AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Family distracted store staff while children swiped jewelry: Calgary police

Police say six family members, including children, worked as a team to pull off a jewelry store heist in Calgary. They say the family went into the store at CF Market Mall last month. Police allege that while adult family members spoke with staff, an eight-year-old and a 16-year-old swiped nearly $4,000 worth of jewelry. An employee called police and officers located the family members, some of whom were in a stolen truck, and stolen items were found. Police say two boys, ages 8 and 9, were returned to their father, who isn't involved in the case. Four others face several theft charges
u-s-tourist-in-critical-condition-after-cyclist-strikes-couple-in-downtown-vancouver-crosswalk
BCJul 08, 2026

U.S. tourist dies after cyclist collision at downtown Vancouver crosswalk

A 72-year-old man from the United States has died after being struck by a cyclist while crossing a downtown Vancouver street, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the collision happened on June 29 at the intersection of West Cordova and Richards streets. Investigators said the man and his wife were crossing in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way when they were hit by a cyclist. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery following the crash. Police confirmed he died in hospital on Sunday. His wife suffered minor injuries and
CanadaJul 08, 2026

WSO welcomes Operation Hard Ball arrests, says questions remain about alleged role of Indian authorities

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has welcomed Operation Hard Ball, a joint law enforcement initiative by authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi network and other India-based organized crime groups. In a statement, WSO President Danish Singh said the arrests made through the operation represent an important step but argued that questions remain about how Lawrence Bishnoi was allegedly able to operate an international criminal network while in custody in India. Singh also called for scrutiny of whether any Indian officials played a role in f

Related News