At just 21, Priya Patel is living her dream as the owner of SuperValue Whanganui, making her one of the youngest supermarket owners in New Zealand. But this success didn’t come overnight – it’s a story deeply rooted in family, hard work, and passion.

Priya grew up helping her parents run their dairy in Palmerston North. “I was just five years old, standing on a milk crate to serve customers,” she recalls with a laugh. “For me, playing with the checkout was my version of a PlayStation.”

Even as a high school student, she was fully immersed in the family business. “It became part of my routine – I’d come home from school, drop my bag, and head straight to work.”

A Dream Realized

Owning a supermarket has always been a family dream. Priya took over SuperValue Whanganui in November 2024 with the support of her parents and a bank loan. Later this year, the store will be rebranded as a FreshChoice supermarket.

“When the opportunity to buy the store came up, I knew I had to go for it,” she says.

It hasn’t been easy, though. Priya often works 16-hour days to keep everything running smoothly. “I’ve learned that if I want to sleep soundly, I need to get everything on my to-do list done – even if it’s 11 p.m. before I leave the store,” she says.

The Challenges of Being Young and Ambitious

Taking on such a huge responsibility at 21 is no small feat. While many of her peers are enjoying laid-back summer jobs, Priya is busy managing an entire supermarket.

“This is my life. Even when I’m home or sleeping, I’m still thinking about work,” she admits.

Despite the pressure, Priya loves what she does. “It energizes me. When you’re passionate about something, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.”

Her younger sister Khushi, 18, has been working alongside her this summer and couldn’t be prouder. “Seeing Priya come this far is incredible,” Khushi says. “We’ve worked together since we were kids, helping our parents behind the counter, and now she’s achieved this big dream.”

Building Relationships

For Priya, the best part of the job is connecting with the community. Growing up in her parents’ dairy taught her the value of building relationships with customers.

“Some of the customers become like family. It’s such a special connection,” she says.

Even now, many customers don’t realize she’s the owner. “When I tell them my age, they’re often shocked,” she says with a smile.

Words of Advice

To other young people dreaming of owning their own business, Priya says, “Just do it. If you don’t know how, figure it out. Never give up – the challenges are part of the journey, and they build your character.”

Her passion and determination are proof that with hard work and dedication, even the biggest dreams are within reach. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work – it feels like purpose.”