BIV is recognizing Sasha Ramnarine, business lawyer at Remedios and Company, and 39 other exceptional business leaders as part of the 2023 Forty Under 40 Awards cohort.
Longer Q&As with each recipient are included in BIV's annual Forty Under 40 Magazine (out in print Dec. 11). Award winners will be celebrated at an awards gala Feb. 7, 2024.
This profile may have been edited for length and clarity.
What career highlight are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of the transformative journey of my legal practice. Starting as a fledgling lawyer with limited funds and prospects, I mirrored the entrepreneurial spirit I now advocate for. From those modest beginnings, I've built a thriving legal career, supporting our province’s vibrant community of small businesses and startups. My proudest moments come from empowering these entrepreneurs, navigating them through complex legal landscapes and watching them flourish locally and internationally. Similarly, this journey enriches my role as an educator in the post-secondary business courses that I teach, allowing me to impart my insights on our future community leaders.
What was your toughest business or professional decision?
Facing financial challenges while launching my legal practice, I was unexpectedly offered opportunities for a steady-paying job. These roles promised immediate relief from my fiscal woes but at the cost of forfeiting my entrepreneurial aspirations. Memories of the joy and fulfillment from expanding my father's Trinidadian restaurant, Roti Bistro in Kitsilano, stirred within me. That joy, ingrained since childhood, anchored my decision. It was this entrepreneurial spirit, nurtured from those early days, that guided me to decline the offer and persist with my practice. I chose the profound fulfillment of creating my legacy over the allure of immediate financial ease.
How do you lead?
Leadership is the art of nurturing potential, and fostering an environment where integrity, vision, and empathy is paramount. It’s about setting a course that others are inspired to follow, empowering diverse teams to unite towards common goals. True leadership doesn't just seek to mandate but to listen, learn and adapt, facilitating innovation and resilience within any organization. To me, leading means being a catalyst for change, a proponent of growth and an anchor in times of challenge, all while keeping the community's interests at the core of every decision.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned in business?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in business is the power of adaptability. In my role as a business lawyer, I’ve encountered diverse clients with unique challenges. Navigating the complexities of corporate law has taught me that to be effective, one must be flexible and responsive to the ever-changing business landscape. Whether it's through expanding our team to better meet client needs or embracing cultural diversity to connect on a deeper level with our clientele. Adaptability has been key. It’s about listening, learning and evolving strategies to not just meet, but exceed expectations.
Best piece of advice ever received?
“Balance ambition with mindfulness." This principle guides my approach to life. Yoga and transcendental meditation are more than practices, they are my anchors. Enhancing my clarity and equanimity, vital in navigating the intricacies of business law. Time treasured with my wife, family and community fortifies me, instilling resilience and joy. These personal disciplines shape my professional endeavours, allowing me to lead with focus and empathy in the bustling legal and business arenas.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Embrace your Caribbean roots; they are your steadfast foundation. Engage in mindfulness, meditation and yoga early on – these practices will be pillars of strength, bolstering your resilience, sparking creativity and energizing your spirit. Dedicate yourself to continuous learning and seek out diverse experiences to broaden your horizons. Don’t fret over the future; rather, seize the learning opportunities that today presents. Every experience is a thread in the rich tapestry of your life. Believe in the path you’re on.
What's left to accomplish?
With the insight from my ICD.D journey, I am eager to use my expertise to support our local and national businesses. Serving on boards of organizations such as ISSofBC, the New West Police Department and the Surrey Board of Trade, while practising business law at Remedios and Company, has honed my perspective. I aim to leverage this experience on multinational boards and continue to enrich our community. I hope to be an ambassador for our region and nation, and through ongoing teaching, to inspire our future leaders to forge paths of innovation, success and compassion.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge?
I'm deeply grateful to my parents, humble immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago, for the opportunities they've given me in Canada. Working throughout my childhood at my father's Trinidadian restaurant, Roti Bistro in Kitsilano, where my father taught me entrepreneurship. My mother exemplifying hard work and strength. My older brother providing steadfast support during our parents' busy days. My wife, Jennifer, has been an unwavering pillar as I built my legal practice. I'm also thankful to Anthony Remedios for the chance to grow professionally at Remedios and Company.
Read Q&As with all 40 award recipients here. Tickets to the 2023 Forty Under 40 Awards gala on Feb. 7 are now available.
