36 GEORGIANVIEW SPRING 2022
BUSINESS
Living through the pandemic has been universally
challenging for young people trying to start their careers
amid all the uncertainty in nearly every aspect of daily life.
Despite closing many doors, the global disruption has
opened several others, in some cases shedding light on
personal priorities and prospective passions.
This was the case for Sachin Sharma (class of 2019).
After graduating from Georgian's Aviation Management
program, the job he had lined up at Air Canada fell
through due to the worldwide pandemic.
COVID-19 was the catalyst for Sachin to turn his culinary
passion into a thriving food truck business called
Foodiez. His success was fuelled by a talent for cooking
he discovered during his eight-month co-op in Iqaluit,
Nunavut.
"When I went to Iqaluit I learned a lot about cooking
because there weren't any restaurants and there were
only two grocery stores," he says. "We had to cook every
day at home and get creative with the groceries we could
buy. So, my passion started from there."
In August 2020, Sachin opened his food truck at 265 St.
Vincent St., accomplishing his goal to bring Indian fusion
street food to Barrie. Foodiez is open late, usually until 1
a.m., catering to the college crowd and city locals.
"It's close to the college and where the students live
because that's the area I wanted to focus on from the
beginning. That's where my market is," he says.
Sachin created an original menu, including favourites like
cheesy fried momos and a vegetarian noodle burger,
with a little guidance from his mother along the way. His
unique selections are popular and business is thriving.
"COVID helped us a lot because we're just a takeout
business," he says, explaining the truck's curbside
advantage throughout recurrent restaurant closures.
Along with incredible community support, Sachin
recognizes his experience with Georgian, particularly the
resources provided by the Segal International Centre, as a
contributor to his entrepreneurial success.
"If I hadn't gone into aviation I wouldn't be doing what I
am today. I just feel very proud to be part of the Georgian
College alumni family and to be a business owner," he
says.
Sachin's advice for other young entrepreneurs: "If you are
ready and sure about what you are doing, never give up
and be on it until it gets done," he says.
COVID-19
didn't crush this
entrepreneurial spirit
|
The pandemic was the catalyst for Sachin to turn his culinary passion into a thriving food truck business.
