Some believe him to be so lucky that they use his name to bring fortune to them — so much so that he is lovingly monikered "Mr. Lucky." He has an aura of positivity around him, simplicity, modesty and an earthy demeanour as his primary features. One of the most enterprising business names, such is his luck that leaders, politicians and business tycoons turn to him alike when in soup. In his bag of awards are honours by the Human Achievers Foundation with the Indian Council for the UN and Africa Indian Partnership Association, and a special Award for Business Achievements, Innovations and Skills. Not just in Africa, Satiija is also one of the richest Asians in the UK, listed in Forbes 2016. Not to forget, he is one of those self-made ones. However, is it just luck that has brought him here?
In 1967, before Punjab was divided, Rejesh was born to an Indian family — Mrs. Chand Rani Satiija, a school teacher, and the late Mr. Ram Swaroop Satiija, who served the government in telecommunications. The family, rather simple, principled, and God-abiding, had immigrated to India from Multan, Pakistan, during the heartbreaking Partition. Growing up in a rather austere environment, Rejesh never sat in the lap of luxuries. Studying in a government school of Sonepat, he graduated from Government Engineering College as an electrical engineer. He started his career as a government contractor and supplier, though it wasn't long before he started seeking something more. He soon received an employment offer from ImpEx, Africa, which he couldn't resist. Joining his job there, he began exploring trading from there.
“Big things come in small packages”— Rejesh Satiija
"God had sided with me"
With trading small goods, and God by his side, he soon established Sun & Sand Group of Co. in Ogun, Nigeria, a factory manufacturing ferrous and non-ferrous metal ingots. Taking a step at a time, with his knack to grow, he soon was the first person in Africa to trade with brands like Toyota, Rolls Royce, Nissan and Honda. He diversified into gold and copper soon, bringing himself a fortune from the world of metal industries across the entirety of Africa. Spreading his wings into Latin America, he also has a plant mining gold and other precious metals in Guyana. Having started small, he today has approximately 6,000 employees, working closely with the local communities. His is the only name from India and Africa to be listed on the London Metal Exchange.
His entrepreneurship skills have made him the President of Super Industries DMCC (Dubai), Samsung Overseas Limited (India), Mining plus Mineral Resource (UK), Aquasia Home Ltd. (India) and Satiija Stud Farms Pvt. Ltd. (India).
"Pleasure of pain, nothing distracts me"
Rejesh, clear and conscious of his fortune and its creation, says it has been his and his team's meticulous approach towards business, and friendly treatment of his people, that has helped them turn the luck around. Discipline is one virtue he abides by from day one till date. If ever the group faced a roadblock, Satiija was always the first one to stand by the team and buck them up, helping them find another way round it. In a world that believes the customer to be king, he has always put his employees first — not only listening to them, but treating them well and backing their ideas.
With his efforts and growing empire, he has been a key to bridging the socio-economic gaps between India and Africa, introducing more Indian business into Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Senegal, among others. As part of his dream to get into agri-business, he initiated "Gold to Golden Apples," for which he has purchased orchard land in Prince Edward, Canada, where he plans to create one of the largest apple-growing centres in the world to export to India. Next on his plans is a venture into real estate.
"Believe in the cosmos"
Rejesh's parents had nurtured him with deep faith in God; though as he grew up, several "whys" popped up in his mind, seeking answers — which led him to develop a faith in Reiki too. More than any one God, he now believes in the Supreme Power, humanity and the cosmos. He makes sure to meditate for around 2–3 hours every day, along with practising Reiki. Meditation, he says, helps him purify his mind and soul, connect him to the One, and gives him a deep concentration on his work. He believes it is meditation that reflects in his business, helping him grow and also bringing him luck.
“I believe everyone is good, circumstances change them. Youth needs to realise their good and stick to it, in every situation.”— Message to the Youth
"For the mankind"
His ambition is not limited just to himself and his group, but to the entire African community and improving the well-being of mankind. With his heart calling for it, he contributes towards the development of African and Indian society alike. Satiija also preaches shunning materialism, encouraging others to take a path towards spirituality to achieve success and contentment on their chosen paths — decrying making money merely to lock it away, and saying that if wealth is created for a higher purpose and society's betterment, the cosmos returns all the effort back with greater force.
Believing that education is the medium of empowerment, he lays special focus on quality education for underprivileged children in India and Africa. Since both countries greatly suffer when it comes to public health, he also makes great efforts to bring about change in the way healthcare is taken forward in both nations.
"Success is when you have time for family and self"
Rejesh has been walking the garden of life with his wife, Renu, since 1993 — she has not only stood by him, but also helped him in expansion by keeping a calm environment at home and in family. She partakes in all communal activities with him, fulfilling wherever Rejesh couldn't. Their daughter has pursued an undergraduate law programme in London and honed her culinary skills at Le Cordon Bleu; their son has pursued undergraduate study in the United States. The family remains devoted to their pet Lhasa Apsos.
Satiija likes to take life easy when not at work. Coming from India, his first love has always been agriculture, where he still invests a great deal of time. His love for horses has taken a concrete entrepreneurial shape with Satiija Stud Farms Pvt. Ltd. (India). With meditation comes a special favour for yoga, which he practises every day.
"What keeps you going?" the magazine asked. "A faith in the Supreme, who helps me have faith in me and my work. This faith leads to my achievements," he says.