The True Meaning of Fortune: Dr. Steve Gupta Reflects on an Extraordinary Journey That Began with $108 in His Pocket in New Memoir, From Floor to Fortune
Written in tribute to his late wife Rashmi, the deeply personal memoir traces an extraordinary journey from immigrating to Canada and sleeping on the floor of a Toronto apartment to building a successful business enterprise and a life defined by family, purpose, and giving back
TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- Entrepreneur, real estate developer and philanthropist Dr. Steve Gupta, who is recognized as the Founder and Chairman of The Gupta Group, today announced the publication of his book, From Floor to Fortune, to be released by Sutherland House on October 20, 2026.
More than five decades ago, Dr. Gupta arrived in Canada from India with just $108 in his pocket, faith in his heart and a determination to build a better life. When he and his wife, Rashmi, began their life together in Toronto, they spent their first week sleeping on the floor of an empty apartment while waiting for their bed to arrive. From those humble beginnings, they would go on to build a family, a business and a life beyond anything they could have imagined.
Written from memory and guided by heart, From Floor to Fortune traces that remarkable journey through moments of ambition and achievement, but also love, sacrifice, faith and profound loss. Part memoir and part reflection on leadership, entrepreneurship and legacy, the book looks beyond conventional measures of success to what Dr. Gupta has come to regard as his true fortune: family, integrity, the relationships built along the way, the opportunity to lift others and the responsibility to give back. It is ultimately a story about where we begin, how we rise and the people and values that give life its meaning.
At its heart, From Floor to Fortune is a tribute to Dr. Gupta's beloved wife of more than 53 years, Rashmi, who believed in him from the very beginning and stood beside him through every challenge and milestone. Their story runs throughout the book as a reminder that behind every enduring achievement are often the people who believed in us, sacrificed alongside us and helped make that journey possible.
Written in Rashmi's honour, From Floor to Fortune also carries that spirit of generosity forward. All proceeds from book sales will be donated to The Gupta Family Foundation, extending the book's message of stewardship and giving back through the Foundation's ongoing charitable work.
"People often ask how I built the business, but the truth is, I never built it alone. Every milestone in my life reflects the generosity, guidance and belief of people who stood beside me along the way. Above all, there was my wife, Rashmi, whose love, strength and faith in our shared vision made so much of this journey possible.
My children, Reema, Reetu, Shelley and Suraj, are my strength and inspiration, and each of them has contributed in their own way to the life and legacy Rashmi and I built together. Reetu, Ambassadress and CEO of The Gupta Group, has worked alongside me for the past two decades, bringing her passion, leadership and commitment to our family business. Suraj, Chief Strategy Officer of The Gupta Group, brings his expertise in banking, finance and investments and plays an important role in helping shape our strategy for the future.
From Floor to Fortune is not really a story about buildings or balance sheets. To me, fortune has never been defined by business success alone. It is found in family, in the relationships we build, the integrity we carry, the opportunities we create for others and the good we are able to give back. This book is my way of honouring those people and values, with my family, and especially Rashmi at the heart of it all.
I hope it reminds readers that the greatest measure of success is not simply what we achieve, but how we live, who we lift along the way and what we leave behind for others." - Dr. Steve Gupta, Founder and Chairman, The Gupta Group and Easton's Group
While deeply personal, From Floor to Fortune was written with a purpose beyond preserving Dr. Gupta's own story. At this stage in his life, he hopes to share what more than five decades of experience have taught him with the next generation of dreamers, builders and leaders. Through the successes, setbacks and defining moments that shaped his path, he offers a reminder that beginnings do not determine outcomes, that adversity can become a teacher, and that lasting progress is often built through courage, discipline, perseverance and a willingness to keep moving forward when the path is uncertain.
Featuring an introduction and contributions by acclaimed Canadian journalist, author and broadcaster Steve Paikin, along with personal photographs, From Floor to Fortune brings Dr. Gupta's memories and reflections to life through the people, places and experiences that shaped his journey. Written by Dr. Gupta from his own memories and experiences, the book benefited from Paikin's editorial guidance and review, as well as interviews he conducted with Dr. Gupta's family members and friends. Paikin also contributed two chapters to the book.
Reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of Dr. Gupta's experience, Paikin writes: "Through the highest highs and lowest lows, he has learned a lot of important and useful lessons about what constitutes living a good and meaningful life."
Through a life marked by improbable beginnings, bold ambition, profound loss, and remarkable resilience, From Floor to Fortune offers a distinctly Canadian story of immigration, entrepreneurship, family and legacy, and an invitation to consider what it truly means to build a successful life.
Dr. Gupta will celebrate the publication of From Floor to Fortune through a series of media appearances, speaking engagements, and book events this fall. For more information, visit fromfloortofortune.com and follow @fromfloortofortune. The book is currently available for presale at Amazon and participating independent booksellers.
About the Author:
Dr. Steve Gupta is Founder and Chairman of The Gupta Group, a multi-faceted development company based in Toronto. The Gupta Group has one of the largest and most diverse real estate portfolios in Ontario with 21 hotels in its portfolio, along with 5 million sq. ft. of residential and commercial properties under development across Canada.
Alongside his business activities, Dr. Gupta has maintained a longstanding commitment to philanthropy through the Gupta Family Foundation, supporting healthcare, education and community initiatives in Canada and beyond.
Dr. Steve Gupta was named Businessman of the Year by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and has received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service, the Markham Board of Trade Award of Excellence in Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Ontario in the Real Estate and Hotels category. He was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2022. For more information, visit www.stevegupta.com.
Book Details:
Title: From Floor to Fortune
Author: Dr. Steve Gupta
Publisher: Sutherland House
Format: Hardcover, Ebook
Publication Date: October 20, 2026
Prices: Hardcover: $39.95 CAD / $34.95 USD; Ebook: $34.95 CAD / $29.95 USD
SOURCE The Gupta Group
Media Contact: Cecilia Lai, NKPR, [email protected]
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