Big ideas don’t always get attention or applause. They often arise silently through experience, discipline and persistence.
This is how Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam approaches his career. As co-founder and COO of Fintex Inc. in Toronto, he is known for turning complex ideas into working systems. His leadership style is practical, consistent and based on lived experience. It’s a style that was coined long before his professional career began.
Early life and a defining family influence
Thirukumaran’s early years were marked by loss and responsibility. His father died when he was young, leaving his mother to raise four children alone. The family faced significant challenges, but his mother remained focused on one priority.
“She never let us lose sight of what was important,” he says. “Education was non-negotiable.”
Seeing his mother hold the family together left a lasting impression. It shaped how he thinks about leadership today. Responsibility meant showing up every day, even when conditions weren’t ideal.
“She didn’t wait for things to get easier,” he says. “She worked with what she had.”
Immigration, Adaptation and the Value of Education
At the age of nine, Thirukumaran emigrated to Canada with his family. The transition was difficult. They moved frequently and relied on social assistance to rebuild their lives. Stability came slowly.
“We started from scratch,” he says. “It all felt temporary for a while.”
He attended several schools across Toronto, including Milliken Mills Junior School, John Buchan Middle School, Don Valley Middle School, Georges Vanier Secondary School and Woburn Collegiate Institute. Every movement required an adjustment.
“You quickly learn to read a room,” he says. “You learn to adapt without complaining.”
Education remained the constant. His mother’s belief that learning was a way forward became his own. This attitude stayed with him as he grew up.
Lessons for starting a career: Ideas need to be pursued
When Thirukumaran entered professional life, he was interested in how ideas become results. He noted that many plans failed not because they were bad, but because implementation was unclear.
“Good ideas don’t survive without structure,” he says. “Someone has to make them come true.”
He preferred roles that required organization, responsibility and problem solving. Over time, he developed a reputation for being reliable and detail-oriented. He learned how systems either support people or slow them down.
This thought laid the foundation for what came next.
Building Fintex Inc. from the ground up
Today, Thirukumaran is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Fintex Inc. His role focuses on operations and execution. He ensures that ideas are supported by clear processes and realistic timelines.
“My focus is simple,” he explains. “Eliminate friction so teams can get their work done.”
Instead of striving for visibility, he focuses on building reliable systems. This includes defining roles, improving work processes and aligning teams towards common goals.
“When the operation works, people don’t notice,” he says. “You just see progress.”
This approach has helped Fintex grow in a controlled and sustainable manner, turning concepts into repeatable results.
A leadership style based on consistency
Thirukumaran describes leadership as a long-term commitment. He believes people perform best when expectations are clear and leaders are predictable.
“Consistency builds trust,” he says. “Not intensity.”
His leadership style reflects what he learned early in life. Calm decision making. Shared responsibility. A focus on what can be controlled.
“Panic doesn’t solve problems,” he says. “Planning already.”
He applies this way of thinking when evaluating new ideas. Innovation is important, but only if it can be supported by strong implementation.
Mentoring, giving back and practical impact
Mentorship plays a central role in Thirukumaran’s life. He has helped many newcomers to Canada land their first job by guiding them through resumes, interviews and early career decisions.
“That first job changes the way you see yourself,” he says. “It opens doors.”
He also organizes annual fundraisers with family and friends, raising nearly $5,000 each year to support individuals and families in need. For over a decade, he has helped collect and ship clothing to communities lacking basic necessities. He also volunteers as a judge for youth leadership programs in technology-oriented categories.
“When you give back, you keep track of things,” he says.
Discipline outside the office
Outside of work, Thirukumaran stays active by playing sports like basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton and baseball. He enjoys watching games and supporting his children in their sporting events. Every morning starts with a walk, regardless of the weather.
“It clears my head,” he says. “So I reset.”
Make a career out of ideas
Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam’s career reflects a simple truth. Big ideas only matter if they are implemented. From early adversity to operational leadership, his journey shows how discipline, consistency and structure can transform vision into lasting results.
“Nothing happens overnight,” he says. “You build it up step by step.”
This philosophy still guides his work today.
