From Teller to Trailblazer
The City of Surrey, British Columbia is rapidly emerging as one of Canada’s top cities for entrepreneurship -particularly for those in the professional services sector. With a growing population, competitive operating costs, access to skilled talent, and a business-friendly environment, Surrey offers a strong foundation for ambitious founders looking to build scalable, impact-driven companies. It’s here that entrepreneur Kirandeep Khairah chose to establish and grow destinationone Consulting —an innovative consulting firm that would become the cornerstone of a much larger ecosystem of purpose-led ventures.
A Strategic Launch Point
When Khairah immigrated to Canada in 2012, he made a conscious decision to take his time before jumping into business ownership. Starting out as a teller at TD Bank, he used that early experience to gain critical insight into Canada’s financial systems, consumer behaviour, and day-to-day business operations.
By 2013, he had launched destinationone, a recruitment, executive search, and HR company focused on people, innovation, and purpose.
Building a Portfolio of Purpose-Led Companies
Over the following years, Khairah founded and scaled several businesses, including LMON, HighlightLabs, PeopleOne, CanMar, and Bloo—along with five additional destinationone sub-brands. Three of these ventures have been successfully exited, a testament to his ability to create value and execute strategic growth plans.
Throughout this journey, Khairah kept his operations rooted in Surrey. The city’s cost advantages, growing commercial base, and diverse, highly educated workforce made it an ideal location to launch and scale across sectors.
A National Environment for Success
Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape also played a key role. Khairah points to government programs like the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) funding, and the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit as crucial tools for early-stage growth. International trade agreements, such as the USMCA and CPTPP, have also supported global expansion.
Equally important is Canada’s skilled immigration system, which fuels a diverse and adaptable workforce—especially in cities like Surrey, where cultural perspectives add unique value to innovation-driven industries.
Funding Smart, Scaling Right
Khairah advocates for a “revenue-first” model, encouraging founders to validate their products before seeking outside investment. This approach not only builds operational discipline but also increases negotiating power when it comes time to raise capital.
He also advises founders to think beyond venture capital. Government grants, angel investors, crowdfunding, and revenue-based financing can all play a role—especially when the business model is scalable, and the vision clearly communicated
The Right Investor Matters More than the First Investor – Capital isn’t just money—it’s a strategic partnership. The right investor provides mentorship, industry connections, and expertise beyond the funds. Choose investors aligned with your long-term vision.
Why Surrey Works
Khairah sees Surrey not just as a place to do business, but as a platform for innovation and growth. The city’s proximity to Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley provides access to both customers and supply chains. Institutions like Simon Fraser University, KPU, UBC, and BCIT contribute a steady flow of tech and innovation talent, while Surrey’s cultural diversity fosters inclusive, globally minded thinking.
As a consulting firm, destinationone is especially well-positioned in Surrey. With thousands of new residents and businesses arriving each year, the demand for HR services and workforce development continues to grow. Surrey’s affordability compared to downtown Vancouver also allows Khairah to reinvest in people, processes, and technology.
Reinventing Recruitment with destinationoneRAASS™
Always looking ahead, Khairah developed destinationoneRAASS™ —Recruitment-as-a-Subscription-Service—as a solution to the inefficiencies of traditional hiring models. The RAASS platform gives businesses predictable pricing, faster hiring timelines, and better talent matches. It’s an approach that’s resonating across Canada and has the potential to scale globally.
Now in development as a full recruitment technology platform, RAASS also supports remote work by enabling recruiters from around the world to serve Canadian companies—further expanding Surrey’s reach as a business and employment hub.
Leading with Purpose
From his first job in Canada to building a portfolio of successful ventures, Khairah exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and scale with vision. His work is helping businesses grow, create meaningful jobs, and deliver value across industries—all while staying deeply rooted in the Surrey community. If you’re looking to connect with destinationone, you can book a meeting at https://destinationone.ca/book-a-call/ or visit their website here: https://destinationone.ca
As Surrey continues to attract visionaries and builders across industries, stories like Khairah’s underscore the city’s strength as a place to Invest, Innovate, and Thrive. If you’re looking to grow your professional services business in Surrey, British Columbia, our team is here to help, reach out https://investsurrey.ca/.