Everyone has something brilliant to offer to the world. Tilak K.C. is the first Nepali businessman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who believes in the endless power to change people’s lives by helping them through philanthropy or other acts of kindness. Born and raised in Pyuthan, Nepal, in 1967, in a middle-class family, Tilak is a successful educator, freedom fighter, politician, and businessman.
Tilak completed his school education in his hometown and then moved to Pokhara for further study. He received his intermediate studies in science at Prithvi Narayan Campus and BS at Amrit Science Campus, Kathmandu, in 1986. After receiving his MS from Tribhuvan University (TU) in 1995, he worked as an assistant professor at Prithvi Narayan Campus from 1995 to 2002. While at TU, he established the Association of Contract and Temporary Professors, an advocating body for contracts for temporary professors at the university.
At an early age, Tilak realized politics’ ability to guide and shape the face of society. In 1993, he was elected secretary of the Free Student Union at Tribhuvan University. Furthermore, he joined human and social rights movements for seven years and fought for the people’s freedom of expression and democratic rights. In 2002, he moved to Concordia University, Milwaukee, United States, to pursue a Ph.D. Though he wasn’t able to complete his Ph.D. for personal reasons, he went on to start a business in 2006. He was disappointed about being unable to contribute to Nepalese politics during the early 2000s because he moved to the United States.
Further, being one of the rare Nepali faces in Milwaukee, it wasn’t easy for him to succeed in his businesses. However, his constant hard work and positivity led him to unprecedented heights. As of now, he is the owner of multiple gas stations, convenience stores, car wash centers, and pieces of real estate.
As time passed, Tilak realized it was possible to help his motherland without being involved in its politics. He started a business in Nepal, wrote many books on business mathematics and business arithmetic for colleges, and published numerous articles in various journals there. When he came to the United States, he concluded that Nepali culture should be preserved and transferred to the new generation living in the US. He also believes Nepali immigrants should be involved in mainstream politics in the United States. As a Nepali, he always tried to help Nepal under the motto, “Help Nepal.” In 2010, he started a Nepali language school for Nepalese children; in 2012, he founded the Milwaukee Nepali Pariwar; and in 2015, he collected $75,000 for Nepal’s earthquake victims. Currently, he is the senior advisor of Milwaukee Nepali Pariwar, senior vice president of the Association of Nepali in Midwest America (ANMA), and co-chair of NRNNCCUSA, which promotes Nepali entrepreneurship in the US. Living with his wife, a daughter, and a son in Milwaukee, he looks forward to contributing more to society and encouraging his family and friends to do the same.