“He saved me.”

The words hit me with bit of a surprise, and have stayed with me even as I write this article several days later.

They were spoken by Rafael, the personal assistant to Gurbaksh Chahal as he walked me to the elevator after departing the Chahal residence in San Francisco. I had remarked to Rafael — whom I find a very sharp, observant protector and aide to his boss — that G (Gurbaksh is known as “G”), was really nice and I liked talking to him. Rafael briefly alluded to how much G had helped him in his life, and then just as the elevator doors were closing he said “He saved me.”

There was such a look in his eyes when he said it — one of gratitude mixed with a kind of respect and awe — that everything I had simply surmised before, I then immediately knew to be true. Which is that G Chahal is truly a good person.

People will want to hate him. He’s young (25 years old), athletic, sexy, smart, fun-loving, famous (with a book and a major TV show coming out this fall), and has a little bit of money in the bank (his net worth has been estimated at over $200 million.) I mean, what’s not to hate?

But the truth of the matter is that he’s one of the most likable people I’ve ever met, and after talking to him about his life and his various projects, I had a completely different view of him than I had from simply seeing him in various TV interviews.

Here are some excerpts from our conversation.

(Note: The photos are behind-the-scenes shots taken at a recent photo shoot for “San Francisco” magazine. Look for him in the June issue, as well as an upcoming issue of “SF is” and a few national magazines.)

D: First of all, when did you start going by G?

G: I guess you can say I don’t have the easiest first names to pronounce (Gurbaksh). So, I’ve had a variety of names throughout my life! G – took a life of its own. I got used to it as a nickname first and then slowly it dwarfed to what everyone calls me.

D: I have to say, your new condo at The Infinity is amazing!

G: Thank you. When, I first walked into this place – I remember pinching myself to see if I was living a dream. Not a day goes by when I realize how fortunate I am in making this dream come true.

D: Do you prefer San Francisco to where you were at before?

G: I came to San Jose when I was a month shy of 4 years and since then have lived there for 21 years. I’m very close to my family so that’s one of my main attachments to San Jose. They are the world to me. But, I also knew I was ready for a bigger city. San Francisco became the best choice for me since it gave me the best of both worlds, a bigger city and making me only an hour away from my family. So, I think I’ll be here for the next few years.

D: What will be the next city?

G: Don’t know yet. Let’s see where life takes me next. I’m a stickler for weather so it’ll have to be somewhere warm! But again the heartbreaking decision would be – if I’d be ready to be further away from my family…

D: Do you like the Miami lifestyle?

G: Miami is definitely one of my favorite places. Great vibe, energy and people. And definitely has the weather. New York is also a great place but the weather would throw me off there…

D: You’re not going to go out and, like, shovel snow?

G: Well, I love the snow. But, not that much.

D: But when your new TV show takes off in Jan 2009, you might have to spend more time in LA.

G: That might be the case. I’ve been working on a few projects in LA – so I normally go there and come back right home. There is something about home – that you just can’t get anywhere else.

D: And is your book coming out at the same time as the TV show?

G: My book, “The Dream”, is also scheduled to be released on January 2009. Total coincidence though. My publisher is Palgrave MacMillan and they’ve purchased global rights for it. I’m hoping that it’s a truly an inspiration for others to find their magic.

D: And at the same time you’re also doing GWallet (”Reinventing the Way you Shop.”)

G: Yep, that’s Startup #3.

D: So you’re founding a company, becoming a TV personality and a published author all at the same time.

G: Yep, that’s the only way to keep me busy. Otherwise, an idle mind could be a devil’s playground.

D: How do you schedule all that stuff? What is your daily life like?

G: I love challenging myself. And, when I commit to something – I make sure it’s not only done but is the best I can deliver it to be. So, you can say I’m having fun while also check marking a list of all the things I’ve always wanted to do in my life. I can’t stay idle – so the best thing for me is to stay challenged and stay on path.

D: In your book do you have advice, like how to replicate what you did, for somebody who is interested in starting a big company, or is it more inspirational?

G: It’ll have a little blend for everyone. It’ll have advice, lessons, but also an inspiring story of my entire life experiences. I’ve had an extraordinary journey in the last 9 years – I’m hoping this book inspires folks to find the hidden magic that exists in all of us. I’ve enjoyed every minute of putting it together with my ghostwriter, and I’m hoping that it motivates individuals to let go of their fears and realize everyone’s potential.

Gurbaksh Chahal in his late teens, wearing the traditional turban.

D: When you were writing this book and thinking back, do you remember your childhood in Tarn Taran, or were you too young?

G: To be honest, I came to America when I was a month shy of 4 years of age. I don’t remember much of those years. However, I did go back to India twice in my life so I’ve stayed close with my roots and keeping my culture close to me. Nevertheless, my first language was English and my first schooling was in America. Therefore, I consider myself as much as an American as I am Indian.

My parents, however, are very religious and very cultural and they also brought that with them. For the first 17 years of my life I actually wore a traditional turban. That’s a major part of my book in terms of defining myself when you’re the odd one for the first 17 years of your life; coming from poverty with an immigrant family, and of course the constant struggle to survive. So I am hoping the book touches all sorts of people: the adolescent who’s different, the immigrant family that struggles, and of course every one of us that wants to deliver ultimate success.

At the end of the day, life’s an open canvas. So, go on – make your dream a reality.

Postscript

The first time I met G was two weeks ago at a gala fundraiser for The Raphael House, an organization that is very close to my heart. He was there with his sister, Nirmal, visiting from Utah. A friend of mine mentioned that evening that G had donated a five-figure sum to the charity, which provides housing and other services to homeless families in San Francisco.

G with his sister, Nirmal

Thank you, Gurbaksh Chahal, for stepping up to support those who are in need, and proving that “living well in San Francisco” means doing well for others, a luxury that anyone can afford.

- by Damion Matthews

• Further Information: Gurbaksh Chahal [chahal.com]
• Further Information: GWallet [gwallet.com]
• Further Information: Raphael House [raphaelhouse.org]