Neil and Surekha Singh admit they come from modest beginnings. They hail from Guyana, the third smallest country in South America, sitting between Brazil and Venezuela, smaller than Idaho with only 2.44% arable land. A Dutch colony in the 17th century, Guyana became a British possession in 1815. It wasn’t until 1966 that it achieved independence from the UK. Made up largely of Black settlers who were freed with the abolition of slavery and former indentured servants from India (imported to work the sugar plantations), Guyana has a rich ethnic and cultural heritage. It also historically has had a turbulent political arena, ruled by Socialist governments until the early 1990’s. The 1960’s were a challenging time in Guyana- with the political unrest, attempts to get out from under British rule, circumstances were exacerbated by excessive mortality rates (now known to be due to Aids), high infant mortality rates, need to import most items and poor infrastructure. Progressive families were hard pressed to find avenues of success for their children. For that reason, the 1960’s saw many Guyanese families “exporting” their children to be educated and achieve success elsewhere. Among these families were the Singhs. In 1968 Neil immigrated to the United States, became a US citizen and earned a degree in Economics from SUNY Stony Brook. He was followed shortly thereafter by Surekha who also became a US Citizen.
While the need to immigrate from their homeland was tragic, from there, the story turns happy and reads like a model for success. The Singhs learned the ropes of fast food franchises in the US, working their way through school. In 1991, they realized the first of their American Dreams by buying a Subway franchise. Along the way they acquired two more Subway franchises and became known as such successful operators that the Subway franchise named Mr. Singh the development agent for Nassau County in 2001. In addition to being successful entrepreneurs, another goal of the Singhs was always to own real estate in the US. Those who owned land in Guyana, their native land, were the most prosperous and revered citizens. In 2004, the Singhs finally realized this ultimate American dream- they purchased and renovated a building for a fourth Subway Franchise- in Westbury, NY! This project will enable them to employ local residents and build equity in the business and real estate. Both Singhs are actively involved in running the operations. It’s a hard business - 7 days/week, long hours, complexities due to dealing with a cash business, security and employee issues. But the Singhs are fully equipped and committed to making their Subway restaurants models for the industry. In addition, they are committed to the neighborhoods in which they are located, participating in community events, sponsoring sports teams and in other ways being good corporate citizens. As Neil Singh says, “ America has been good to our family. We want to give something back. These successful restaurants enable us to help our communities.”
The Singh’s latest enterprise was made possible in part by a creative financing package provided by Citibank and the Long Island Development Corporation. Recognizing the growth of Subway franchises in the US and the entrepreneurial skills of the Singhs, LIDC and Citibank provided 90% financing enabling them to purchase and improve the building in Westbury, while preserving their working capital for maintenance of the operations and future growth. Neil and Surekha Singh credit Doug Asofsky of Citibank and Carmine Fabio of LIDC for giving them this chance to realize the American dream of real estate ownership by recognizing the potential of the Subways Franchise as well as the Singhs’ history of hard work and success in the industry. So, while the Singhs hail from modest beginnings, they and their children now enjoy the fruits of hard labor and success in their adopted nation-proof that the American entrepreneurial dream can come true!