When Money Singh, an Indian American entrepreneur, moved from Punjab to San Francisco at 19, he faced isolation and uncertainty. Far from home, he battled depression and financial hardship, unaware that his determination would later turn him into a self-made millionaire in the United States.
Singh’s first few years were challenging — he dropped out of college after discovering his credits from India wouldn’t transfer and took up small jobs to survive. Eventually, he joined his uncle’s cab business, starting out as a dispatcher earning $6 per hour. Over the next 12 years, he built his own five-car taxi fleet, founded a dispatch company, and launched Driver’s Network, a marketing platform for independent drivers. These ventures laid the foundation for his future success.
In 2019, seeking a new challenge, Singh partnered with Joypreet to open Dandies Barbershop & Beard Stylist in Mountain View, California. Drawing inspiration from his mother, who owned salons in India and Northern California, Singh invested $75,000 from his taxi savings. But before he could enjoy success, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, forcing him to shut down operations for nearly a year.
Determined to survive, Singh secured two PPP loans worth $68,000 and $18,000, borrowed $20,000 from friends, withdrew $30,000 from life insurance, and accumulated $80,000 in credit card debt. To make ends meet, he cut back on expenses — sometimes eating $1 meals — to keep his dream alive. During the closure, Singh enrolled in barber school to prepare for a fresh start once restrictions were lifted.
His perseverance paid off. Dandies reopened in 2021 and quickly flourished, serving a diverse clientele, including men, women, and the LGBTQ community. Today, the business has three locations and 25 employees, including 15 barbers. In 2024, Dandies generated $1.07 million in sales, while his other venture, ATCS Platform Solutions, brought in $1.18 million in revenue.
Now debt-free and thriving, Singh plans to launch Barber’s Network, an app connecting barbers and clients nationwide. Despite his success, the Indian American entrepreneur says he has no plans to slow down: “I don’t think I’ll ever retire — working hard is just who I am.”
