That is not how it works.
Real success in Canada is usually quiet. It is built in ordinary days. It happens in small routines, hard seasons, and steady choices that stack up over time.
Few people understand this better than Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam, Co-Founder and COO of Fintex Inc. in Toronto. He immigrated to Canada as a child from Sri Lanka, grew up with financial instability, and built his career through persistence, learning, and community. His story shows what the dream looks like when you zoom in close.
The Dream Starts Before Anyone Applauds
Most success begins long before anyone notices.
It starts with a parent who refuses to give up. It starts with a kid learning a new school system. It starts with showing up when life feels uncertain.
When Kumaran arrived in Canada at nine years old, his family moved often and relied on welfare. That is not the part people post online. That is the part that builds grit.
Many Canadians share similar beginnings. Canada is one of the most immigrant-rich countries in the world. Immigrants make up about 23% of the population.
That means the dream is not rare. The struggle behind it is common.
The Real Work Happens in Small Rooms
People imagine success happening on big stages.
Most of it happens in small rooms.
A kitchen table with homework. A first job interview. A late-night conversation about rent. A founder solving a boring problem that still needs to be solved.
Canada’s economy is powered by everyday builders. About 98% of employer businesses in Canada are small businesses.
Small businesses are not glamorous. They are meetings, spreadsheets, customer calls, and steady execution.
That is where most Canadian success lives.
Progress Looks Like Routine, Not Drama
The dream is often sold as excitement.
Real progress is routine.
It is doing something useful again and again.
Kumaran has a simple habit that anchors his day: he walks every morning, no matter the weather. Even in freezing Toronto cold, he bundles up and goes. It is not a productivity trick. It is a reset button.
“Some of my best thinking happens before the day even starts,” Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam has said about those walks. “You don’t need noise. You need space.”
Try This Today
Pick one daily habit that makes you feel steady:
- A morning walk
- 20 minutes of reading
- Writing down your top task
Consistency beats intensity.
The Dream Is Built Through Learning
Success in Canada rewards people who keep learning.
Not once. Constantly.
Education was the priority in Kumaran’s household. Even during unstable years, school came first. That focus created options later.
Canada’s workforce changes fast. New technology, new roles, new industries. People who stay curious stay employable.
You do not need to master everything. You need to keep moving forward.
Simple Learning Plan
- Follow one industry newsletter
- Learn one skill each quarter
- Ask one smart question every week
Learning compounds quietly.
Opportunity Often Comes Through People
The dream is not just personal effort.
It is also connection.
Mentors matter. Communities matter. Someone opening a door matters.
Immigrants in Canada are also more likely to become entrepreneurs than Canadian-born residents.
That happens partly because newcomers rely on networks. They share advice. They help each other find work. They build together.
Kumaran has spent years mentoring immigrant youth and newcomers as they land their first jobs. That first opportunity changes everything.
“People remember the person who helped them get started,” he once shared. “That first job creates independence.”
Action Step
Send one message today:
- Thank a mentor
- Ask for guidance
- Offer help to someone starting out
The dream grows faster in community.
Success Has More SportsThan Spotlight
A funny truth: many leaders learn teamwork long before business.
Sports teach discipline. Sports teach resilience. Sports teach how to lose and come back tomorrow.
Kumaran loves basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, even baseball. He still plays whenever he can. He also spends time cheering on his kids at soccer and volleyball games.
That is the behind-the-scenes dream too.
Success is not just work. It is staying human while building.
Takeaway
Find one activity that keeps you grounded:
- Sports
- Music
- Walking
- Time with family
A balanced life lasts longer.
Giving Back Is Part of the Real Dream
The Canadian dream is often framed as getting ahead.
Many people find the deeper version includes giving back.
Kumaran organizes annual fundraising efforts with friends and family, raising close to $5,000 each year to support people facing hardship. He also helps ship clothing donations to communities around the world.
That is not a business strategy. It is a life choice.
The dream is not only about what you gain. It is also about what you pass forward.
Try This
Do one small act of service this month:
- Mentor someone
- Donate something useful
- Volunteer your skills
Impact creates meaning.
What No One Sees Behind the Dream
The real Canadian dream is not a highlight reel.
It is:
- A mother holding a family together
- A kid adapting to a new country
- A leader building habits, not hype
- A mentor helping someone get their first chance
- A steady walk on a cold morning
It is ordinary work done with long-term belief.
Canada rewards builders. It rewards consistency. It rewards people who keep going.
The Dream Isn’t a Moment — It’s the Mondays
Success is rarely loud.
It is quiet progress. It is routine. It is community. It is learning. It is giving back.
Start small. Stay steady. Keep showing up.
That is what the real Canadian dream looks like behind the scenes.
Peyman Khosravani is a seasoned expert in blockchain, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on innovation in finance, business, and marketing. With a robust background in blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), Peyman has successfully guided global organizations in refining digital strategies and optimizing data-driven decision-making. His work emphasizes leveraging technology for societal impact, focusing on fairness, justice, and transparency. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of digital tools, Peyman’s expertise spans across helping startups and established businesses navigate digital landscapes, drive growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. His insights into analytics and communication empower companies to effectively connect with customers and harness data to fuel their success in an ever-evolving digital world.
