Priyesh Vekaria is a second generation retailer and owner of One Stop – Carlton Convenience. Winner of the ‘Rising Star’ award and dedicated to helping his community, we were able to learn a little bit more about him, his journey and his personal life.
“My story starts with my Mum and Dad. They came to the UK wanting a better life for us. Through various different difficulties and dilemmas, they’ve had to make some changes. I’ve followed in their footsteps and learnt from what they did. They came to the UK in the early 90s, you see. They wanted us to move into professional roles and to bring up our own families that way.
“I went to University and qualified in Law and Criminal Justice; I moved on and worked in various industries. I was a police officer for ten years across three different counties. After ten years with the police force and other roles, I realised that my mum and dad’s business was the way forward for me, I could pick up and excel in it.”
Priyesh then speaks on the happenings of Carlton Convenience, nothing that it was a building he was passing on his way to his usual job role. “On my way to work one day, I passed by a site and saw the opportunity to develop that site and take it to a new level. I decided to take the plunge and decided to resign from my current roles, which then led me to operating a retail business.
“Moving on from that point, a lot of my ethics involved living a good life and giving back to the community. That’s where my passion for the police force came from. It was never about getting big money, it was all about giving back to the community and being involved in the community, becoming a pillar for the community. I think it really shone through throughout Covid because we reached out to members of the community who couldn’t get out to help them. We had fun days outside of our store, hosted engagement events. We worked with the local community to ensure that we were able to reach out to the younger football teams so that we could provide opportunities within the community.” Priyesh notes that right now, they currently sponsor an under 7’s football team, as well as an under fifteens team.
“We’ve changed from different franchises and they have always helped me develop on my business, as well as my entrepreneurial-ship and expertise. Right now, I’m a proud partner of One Stop. “
Priyesh carries on, “In terms of our journey, any award we receive is for my team. It’s not about me. My family have instilled these values in me; it is all the team.”
When asked about obstacles or happenings within his personal life, Priyesh notes that many things have proved difficult, but it’s always important to know how to manage them. Priyesh’s father’s passing was exceptionally difficult for him and his family, but they have since tried to move forward in his honour.
“For me, a coping mechanism is to keep pressing on. Keep moving forward. My father struggled; we don’t need to. For a better life, we need to focus, we need to keep going. Something which is bittersweet is that unfortunately, my father died seven days before my daughter was born. As bittersweet as that is, she is that shining light that helps us to keep focused.”
Priyesh talks about his daughter fondly, “She is that memory of, how would he have wanted us to keep pushing forward? How can we carry on moving forward with his legacy in mind? Everything he did for us, was for our futures. Ultimately, what’s the world without family?”
He then notes that the whole point of sharing this insight is that unfortunately, many retailers and people within our industry often suffer in silence. “They feel like they can’t talk. It’s okay to be silent; it can be an opportunity to reflect, to take things one at a time. But don’t suffer alone. Speak to the people around you. The ones around you who don’t need to give an opinion, but are just there to listen.
Priyesh brings us back to the start of his retailing journey, and what he vowed at the very beginning, “I’ve said it openly to my Dad before that I never wanted to be a shopkeeper. But then I realised that I shouldn’t fight it, I should embrace it. Embracing it has allowed me to excel in it fully.
“Many retailers I’ve met within the industry are like extensions of my family to me now. In many, many ways, there have been conversations I’ve had with them that my family don’t even know about. Not in a bad way, but it helps to tell somebody that is removed from the situation.” In many ways, Priyesh notes that it can be beneficial, and it’s easier to talk to other people about certain topics.
“I do my best to support as many people as I can, through different walks in life. My father’s passing was difficult, unexpected. It was hard. Since his passing, we know we’re still showered in blessings; he is definitely watching over us. Not even from a financial perspective, but from an ethics and morals perspective.” Very well said, Priyesh. All of the best to you, your family and the wonderful staff over at Carlton Convenience.
Responses