How next gen followed her own path while still contributing to family firm

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This series explores how next-generation members of enterprising families are making a name for themselves.

When Amina and Aziz Bhaloo immigrated from Kenya, Amina started working as a preschool teacher.

This led to starting her own daycare centre, which eventually led to the Bhaloos founding Markham, Ont.-based investing firm The Foray Group, which operates and invests in businesses focused on childcare and education, as well as food and real estate sectors in Canada.

Their daughter, Ambreen Bhaloo, first worked in the business, and then, like some next-generation members of enterprising families, she struck out on her own. She founded a Greater Toronto Area-based  advisory firm with a website under her own name, as a family enterprise advisor, facilitator and certified coach.

Here she shares how she continues to contribute to the family business while running her own company and managing a work-life balance.

Please tell us about your family’s business.

“The Foray Group was founded in 1975 by my parents Amina and Aziz [Bhaloo], just a few years after we immigrated to Canada from Kenya.

We strive to seek out investments that enrich lives and deliver social benefits. We do this by challenging traditional investing models based on financial ROI and expand the return to include social impact and, thus, we could be considered an impact investing organization.

The Foray Group currently operates businesses and holds investments in the childcare and education, food services, and real estate sectors in Canada.

My brother, Azam [Bhaloo], is the CEO of Foray, my parents have retired, and I am no longer active in the management of the business.

As a family we do, however, provide ownership level governance over the organization.”

Tell us about your own work.

“I have now founded and operate my own coaching and advising practice. As a certified coach, I work with entrepreneurs and high achievers hungry for growth who are looking for clarity and want the confidence to pursue their life goals and dreams.

As an FEA (family enterprise advisor) I also work with families to develop their human capital and with family business next gens to find their own path forward.

When did you decide to carve out a path for yourself away from the family business?

“I joined the family business soon after completing my master’s degree in education, having previously worked outside the family business. After a few years and once married, I was challenged between the commitment of leadership and wanting greater work-life balance with a young family.

As a family we found a win-win solution – I took on a project management/internal consultant role, which allowed for flexibility yet allowed me to still contribute in a meaningful way to our various operating businesses.

This was a great fit and my relationships with my three children are proof. As my children got older, I was looking to re-engage in my career and valued flexibility, so I got certified as a coach and FEA and began my own coaching/family advisory practice.

You could call this intrapreneurship – I am an entrepreneur following my passions and still have the opportunity to contribute to the family business system in many ways.”

What challenges did you face in following your own path?

“Finding myself. It was important that I was leaning into my own passions to create my own fulfillment. I needed to really figure out who I was, what I loved most and then translate that into my career.

Figuring out how I would still be involved in the family business system in a meaningful way, if I wasn’t part of the management of the business – this is a scary thing, as family business is often the only path we know.

I now chair our family council and sit on our owner’s council outside of running my own coaching practice, so it’s absolutely possible.”

What lessons did you take with you from your family?

“Education is number one for my family – this can never be taken away from you and allows for independence and growth of the individual and therefore the family, as well.

Lifelong learning and continuous growth – if we aren’t growing, we are dying. I have always had a passion and curiosity for personal development. As a coach it’s such an honour to walk alongside others and to light the way on their journey.

Work hard and stay grounded – we are blessed with many privileges, which come with responsibility, as well. Modesty is something we value.

Stay true to yourself and your values – integrity is a key value for us”

How has your family been supportive of your journey?

“They have encouraged me to find my own path, to grow and be the best at what I do with continuous education and learning.

My parents have provided extensive support when needed in helping me raise my three children. It takes a village, and they are a critical part of ours.

There was also some tough love when needed. Isn’t this the role of parents – to push through the discomfort and stick with what was very difficult at times? And I am grateful for this tough love, as what is on the other side of discomfort is always growth.

My parents, my brother and I have also done a lot of work together to ensure harmony and unity in our family while respecting each other as individuals, in aligning on our vision and values as we built our family constitution and in walking the talk with our four teenage next-gens – my niece and my three kids.”

Can you offer any words of advice for other next-gens, whether they want to work in the family business or not?

“Get to know who you are – it may mean working with a coach and your mentors. Find your passions, know your core values and your purpose, and then choose the path that best suits you.

Don’t make big decisions from an emotional place. It’s best to be grounded and smart to seek out the wisdom of others, however, make your own decisions and know nothing is written in stone.

Find your edges and push beyond them – this takes courage and is a great way to build confidence and make our mark. There are endless ways to contribute and stay connected to the family business system, but you don’t have to work in the business to do so.

If you do choose to work in the business, do it for the right reasons with your full heart, as it’s only fair to the business, family and owners.

Know that, regardless of your choices, you are likely a steward of wealth (holistic wealth for the family, which goes beyond the financial). This requires the development of certain skills, both technical and human – privilege always comes with responsibility.

While we are ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’, as next-gens we also have tremendous value to offer. Know your value and believe in yourself, while staying open to the wisdom of your seniors.”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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