He's billed as a self-made Canadian business success story. Bob Dhillon worked out of his car selling homes at the age of nineteen and by 22 had become a millionaire! In Belize he is said to own real estate on San Pedro, worth millions of dollars.
But today, he was selling a book he co-authored: called "Business and Retirement Guide to Belize."
And the invited guests for this morning's official launch held at the Image Factory was a veritable who's-who of Belize's rich and famous!
7news was in the poor and famous section and here's what we found out:..
Jim McFadzean reporting
The book is an introduction to living, working and retiring in Belize, as well as owning property here. Dhillon introduces the reader to the country, its beauty and friendly people as well as to its economic attractions.
Bob Dhillon, author
"I've combine this with a retirement guide then what happens when you come here. What does a condo cost in San Pedro? What are the opportunities in businesses? A retirement guide is one or two chapters but there are also other chapters; what's the next step; what's the fourth stem. It's like every aspect of Belizean investment is in this book."
It was unlike most other book launches. This one was held in a somewhat casual setting with an informal and healthy exchange between author and audience.
Rosalie Staines, Trade & Investment Promotion
"How can Belize turn ourselves around, not talking about politics but as Belizean entrepreneurs, how can we do this in the view of the fact that the whole world is going through this economic crisis."
Bob Dhillon, author
"First of all some of the advantages Belize has - we have a small economy base on worldwide scenario, we have a population of 300,000 people. To move the GDP is not going to take a lot, so let's forget about the United States and let's have a narrow focus on Canada. Canadians are rich, they speak English, they are commonwealth and most of all we live in Siberia 9 months of the year."
A seasoned international traveller, Belize as seen through the author's lens, is the World's last virgin!
Bob Dhillon, author
"I travelled the world on a monthly basis because of my business and I come back to Belize and I say "this is the last virgin.""
And to prove Dhillon has first- hand experience of that wholesome virginity, he shares his own anecdotal travel experience with some good lighthearted humor.
Bob Dhillon, author
"I was fortunate enough to be guest of Mr. Mariott two days ago in Cayo, I sat down on his balcony watching the sunrise with no pollution and the toucans were flying in miles of rainforest and I say to this "where in the world you have this?" nowhere."
Retirement aside, the Canadian millionaire had this for those who aspire to make millions. Legitimately!
Yasser Musa
"What is your view in terms of the young Belizean student age 18,19 who is in a business program. What should they be learning about their own country in terms of how they develop this hunger that you had?"
Bob Dhillon, author
"I don't want to talk full credit for my hunger, one; I was in Canada, my roots are from India and how does an Indian immigrant come to Belize and become successful like Mr. Hotchandani, how does he do it? So maybe it's a genetic makeup (laughing) but I think one; as a society, as a government, let's talk about the business community, I think they need to mentor young business people, like everybody should mentor all these guys who want to be an entrepreneur. I think the government got to create a program. But the most important thing and Americans got it and Canada to a certain extend doesn't have it, as a Canadian I can tell you that is profit isn't a bad word, making a dollar is a good thing, it's not a bad thing, don't shone, that's going to create the prosperity."
The book is available in various outlets across Belize. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Art Society of Belize. Dhillon co-authored the book along with Canadian television reporter, Fred Langan.
Email
Print