Immigrant Student To $8M AI Business Owner in Canada 🇨🇦 (Started In Hotel Basement)

In this episode of Kaumil Gajera, we sit down with Vishal Patel, an entrepreneur who started his business journey in Canada while studying computer science and working night shifts. What began as a small IT services business grew into a software development company serving businesses, eventually expanding into restaurant investments and a new AI-powered software product. If you're an Indian immigrant, international student, newcomer, or aspiring entrepreneur looking to start a business in Canada, this conversation offers practical lessons on building a business with limited capital, finding customers, choosing the right business model, and scaling beyond freelancing. IN THIS EPISODE: How to start a business in Canada as an international student Building a business while studying and working a job How to hire and manage a remote team in India How to scale a service-based business Business ideas in Canada with low initial investment Why service-based businesses can be a good starting point How AI is changing online search and business discovery How to start a side hustle based on your existing skills CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Trailer 03:08 — Starting an IT Services Company From Scratch 04:56 — Landing His First $4,000 Website Project 06:04 — Building a Team in India While Studying in Canada 13:35 — Buying His First Restaurant in Canada 17:45 — Restaurant Revenue, Profit and Operations 19:36 — How to Build a Million-Dollar Business From Zero 22:05 — Which Business Should You Start in Canada? 26:23 — The Biggest Mistake He Made in Business 30:16 — The Three Rules for Running a Successful Business 32:01 — How AI Is Changing Online Search 34:26 — Advice for Entrepreneurs Who Want to Scale 35:00 — How to Start a Business With No Investment Subscribe to Kaumil Gajera for more conversations with entrepreneurs on business, startups, entrepreneurship, and building companies from the ground up.