Every founder has a moment that breaks the plan and forces a new one.

For Shivani Dhamija, that moment happened the week she arrived in Canada.

She came with a postgraduate degree and the belief that she would land a leadership role immediately. Instead, she found herself earning $10.40 an hour, caught between disappointment, culture shock, and the reality of starting over without a network, a roadmap, or certainty.

What happened next is the reason she leads one of the most recognized food brands in Atlantic Canada.

One meal she cooked for one person sparked what eventually became Shivani’s Kitchen, now stocked in Walmart, Costco Wholesale, Sobeys, Superstore, and restaurants across the country. Her story is built on resilience, grit, and the willingness to pivot long before success feels guaranteed.

On this episode, Christopher Sherrick sits down with Shivani to explore the turning points founders rarely talk about in public:

1. Recovering from setbacks and finding your footing again

2. Building financial understanding when money feels tight

3. Pivoting after failure without losing your identity or momentum

Shivani’s honesty and experience cut through the noise. She built a national brand from a moment of uncertainty, and her perspective will resonate with anyone who has had to rebuild, rethink, or restart.

If you are navigating your own pivot or learning to rise after a hit, this conversation will give you something real to hold onto.