Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Multi-millionaire father and son duo, Paul and Jay Phoenix Singh, following Warren Buffett's path

The father and son, both successful entrepreneurs, made the pilgrimage together to the US city of Omaha to bask in the wisdom of billionaire Warren Buffett, whose simple approach to investing -- and whose mistrust of Wall Street -- they share.

Both Paul Singh, who is 68, and son Jay Phoenix Singh, 32, built successful businesses that they were then able to sell for premium prices, making both men multi-millionaires.


Despite their difference in age, the Singhs -- one a Baby Boomer, the other a millennial, both from Fairfax, Virginia -- share a long-time devotion to the words of Warren Buffett, 88, owner of the third-largest fortune in the world.

"Warren Buffett is the quintessential American dream of coming from very little and being able to really make a name for yourself," said Jay Phoenix, standing before the relatively modest home of the American billionaire, just a few minutes from the center of Omaha in the heartland state of Nebraska.

They were drawn here by the annual shareholders meeting of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway holding company, which gives them, and others like them, a chance to soak up the market-moving wisdom of the "Oracle of Omaha."

The Singhs are big admirers of Buffett's taste for discretion and his simple but shrewd approach to investment.

"You buy only things that are useful," said Paul. "Money doesn't mean that you have to show off and buy cars with a big torque (or) houses that you don't need."

Paul follows that advice in his own life: he sports no bling or other showy external signs of wealth.

"I am still driving my 2004 Honda... and I live with my parents," said Jay Phoenix, before adding, "but as Warren says, what matters is your long-term vision, your long-term plan."

- $50 in his pocket -

Paul Singh arrived in the United States at the age of 20 to pursue his graduate studies with "50 dollars" in his pocket.

Coming from a poor family in northern India near New Delhi, he managed to gain acceptance to Harvard, where he earned an MBA degree in 1982.

Riding the wave of telecoms deregulation, he founded three successive companies, of which the latest -- Primus Telecommunications -- achieved turnover of $1 billion just six years after its creation.

In the 2000s, this father of two -- married to a British woman -- created the Rezon8 fund, investing in American startups specializing in software and information technology.

While Paul has been a mentor to his son, he did not give him the capital for his own startup: "I didn't want my father to give me money," said Jay Phoenix. "I have some savings (and)... was able to count on it."

With doctorates in psychiatry and psychology, Jay Phoenix has been one of the youngest lecturers at some of the most prestigious US and British universities (Princeton, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge).

He established the Violence Research Center, dedicated to the study and prevention of interpersonal violence.

After selling it in 2017, he created TheModelMan.com, a matchmaking site for businessmen with no time to play conventional dating games.

Neither father nor son invests in stocks, preferring the ETFs (exchange-traded funds) that are less speculative but still provide attractive returns.

"I really tried to become (financially) literate the last couple of years... about different kinds of securities, like stocks and bonds etc. -- and the living legend of this is Warren Buffett," said Jay Phoenix.

Among the lessons the Singhs have learned from closely studying Buffett's now famous letters to investors: invest for the long term, and don't be afraid to make a mistake.

"Those lessons are good lessons... not being scared by things," said Paul Singh. "Sometimes the market goes down and other times it goes up."

"It's very refreshing. You don't see or hear that on Wall Street."

More For You

Priyanka Chopra becomes India's highest-paid actress with S S Rajamouli film

Priyanka Chopra

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra becomes India's highest-paid actress with S S Rajamouli film

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to star in SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film, SSMB29, alongside Mahesh Babu, following the monumental success of RRR. Rajamouli’s next project, with a budget exceeding Rs. 1000 crore, is expected to be a massive cinematic experience, and fans are eagerly awaiting the fresh pairing of Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra.

While excitement builds around the film's grand scale, another major talking point is Priyanka Chopra's reported remuneration for the project. The actress, known for her global appeal, is said to be charging a hefty Rs. 30 crore for SSMB29, making her the highest-paid actress in the Indian film industry. This has reportedly pushed Deepika Padukone, who was previously the highest-paid with a salary of Rs. 15 to 20 crore per film, into second place. Priyanka’s fee has surpassed Deepika’s by a significant margin.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comedian Shalaka Kurup joins The Ladies of Laughter

Shalaka Kurup

Comedian Shalaka Kurup joins The Ladies of Laughter

Eastern Eye

INDIAN stand-up comedian Shalaka Kurup has made a significant impact on the UK scene, earning multiple awards along the way.

Her unique brand of observational humour has connected with audiences from diverse backgrounds, establishing her as a rising star who is set to shine even brighter in the years ahead.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nirmala-Sitharaman-Getty

India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the budget speech on Saturday. (Photo: Getty Images)

What to expect from India's budget

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's government will present the annual budget on 1 February, with a focus on economic growth, job creation, and trade policies amid global uncertainties.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the budget speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
"I didn't know what sexy meant": Jennifer Love Hewitt reflects on being sexualized as a teenager

Jennifer Love Hewitt reflects on her early experiences of being sexualized in Hollywood as a teenager

Getty Images

"I didn't know what sexy meant": Jennifer Love Hewitt reflects on being sexualized as a teenager

Jennifer Love Hewitt recently reflected on her early years in Hollywood, revealing how she was sexualised as a teenager without fully understanding it at the time. In a candid conversation on Mayim Bialik’s 'Breakdown' podcast, the 45-year-old actress shared that at just 16, she was subjected to inappropriate comments from grown men about her body, particularly her breasts. These remarks were often made openly in interviews, which Hewitt now finds disturbing, given the context of her age.

Hewitt, who became famous after starring in I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1997, recalled how the attention on her physical appearance increased after she appeared on the cover of 'Maxim' in 1999. Men would approach her, mentioning how they took her magazine on trips, but at the time, she didn’t fully grasp the sexual undertones of these comments. “I didn’t know what that meant,” she admitted, adding that it felt strange to be labelled a sex symbol before even knowing what being "sexy" meant.

Keep ReadingShow less
Football with Faris: Arsenal see red after shocking dismissal

The Gunners have now been awarded the most red cards this season, and those decisions were fairly debatable as to whether they should’ve stood. (Photo: Getty Images)

Football with Faris: Arsenal see red after shocking dismissal

Faris Gohir

With the Premier League producing yet another controversial refereeing decision, it is about time the PGMOL are held accountable.

Bizarre red card dished out at Molineux

Keep ReadingShow less