54 BCBusiness OctOber 2014 Mark van Manen/vancOuver Sun (tOp left & bOttOM right); cbc, 2014 (dragOnS' den)
Bishop says, "You need vision and the
guts to take the risk and do this," and it's
that vision—and Vij's legendary charm—
that caught the attention of Dragons' Den
executive producer Tracie Tighe, who
asked Vij to try out for the show after
working with him on a Dragons' Den spin-
off show, The Big Decision, in the spring
of 2013. "I think some people will be sur-
prised when they watch the show," says
Tighe. "Some of the dragons are straight-
up dollars-and-cents guys, but Vikram's
business style is more personality-driven.
He goes on instinct and hunch. Some of
the other dragons don't think about what
appeals to them. It's just all about what
makes a good business deal, but Vikram
goes with his heart."
But is it possible for a business with
annual revenues of almost $6 million
to be all instinct? Jamie Maw doesn't
think so, recalling one afternoon at Vij's
where he saw the proprietor meet the
produce van and carefully inspect every
single item personally. "To be a success-
ful restaurateur, you have to be a sound
business person," he says. "You're mov-
ing perishable items and dealing with
fickle customers six nights a week.
"Vikram has a huge heart, but he's
a canny guy and that is the reason for
his success," continues Maw. "Well, that
and his ability to make people feel com-
fortable, like they've had a special eve-
ning—and, of course, those remarkable
eyes you generally only see on black vel-
vet oil paintings!"
Still, Vij himself would be the first
to admit that any bank looking over his
business model would not call him a
financial success. "They would say, 'No,
you are wrong,'" he says. "'There are
too many giveaways, you need to tone
it down.'" Declaring that the only thing
that's flashy about him is his beloved
jewelry (all silver pendants, beaded
bracelets and ornate jewelled rings),
Vij chooses to drive a 2004 Prius ("My
car is a disaster, I live out of it—it's full of
clothes, flowers, coffee cups and carda-
mom") and lives "humbly and simply"
in a home near 14th and Cambie (around
the corner from the new restaurant),
with any splurging going on trips with
family and friends. "Am I the most
profitable business? No," he says. "Most
efficient? No. I have extra fat—not only
on my body but my organization. But
I'm OK with it because at the end of the
day I'm really happy. It's an extremely
"Vikram's business
style is more person-
ality-driven. He goes
on instinct and hunch.
Some of the other drag-
ons don't think about
what appeals to them.
It's just all about what
makes a good business
deal, but Vikram goes
with his heart"
—Tracie Tighe, Dragons' Den
producer
