An upstart of a start-up!

Image credit: Max Harlynking on Unsplash.

By Ram Awasthi

This little story that I am sharing is from back when start-ups weren’t so ubiquitous. Before information technology became almost child’s play with even young kids developing apps and many of them making tons of money off them, most employment was of the formal, nine-to-five kind.

Of course, there were people who launched their own businesses, but they were generally referred to as just that – a new business started by an entrepreneur.

The term start-ups wasn’t common at the time.

So one day, when my neighbour Andy announced that his son Joel was working for a start-up, I thought he was misusing upstart. Which, obviously, has negative connotations.

An upstart is described as a person who has risen suddenly to wealth or high position, especially one who behaves arrogantly. The boss must be a rude, insensitive person, I thought, for Andy to talk of him like this.

“That’s too bad, I know how Joel was looking forward to starting the new job,” I commiserated.

“He was! The growth opportunity is tremendous in a start-up,” responded Andy enthusiastically, before stopping mid-sentence. “But why do you say it’s too bad? Do you know something about these guys that we don’t?”

I only knew what he’d just told me, I said, that Joel’s boss was an upstart.

“Not upstart, Ram, start-up!” Andy explained, with a hearty laugh.

“A new company that a group of young people have started. Joel is very excited to be part of the team and I am happy to reassure you that none of them are upstarts!”

This happened, as I said, a long time ago. How times have changed!

What’s your story? Every newcomer, no matter how savvy or where he or she comes from, has a story to share about their early days in Canada. Do you want to share your story? E-mail it to us at canadaboundimmigrant@rogers.com.