Having built an empire of optical shops across Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, it's easy to think that Sir Hakimi has got it made. But the ongoing plans to expand into Manitoba, he's not about to slow down just yet. And as a businessman with a social conscience, to him, it's not just about the bottom line, but how his prosperity can impact the lives of vulnerable people.

It's an overcast and grey Tuesday morning and I'm standing in the office of Sir Hakimi, waiting to conduct a much-anticipated interview with him. I've barely introduced myself and shaken his hand when he swiftly offers me a seat and something to drink. He then begins to apologize profusely, explaining that something's come up, which he must attend immediately, and that he'll be right back.

The interruption provides me with a welcome opportunity to marvel at all the grandeur in my midst. I am, after all, seated in the office of a somewhat legendary figure that embodies what some might call the Canadian dream. Having built an empire that enjoys widespread name-recognition in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the 120 Hakim Optical stores (including 99 one-hour factory outlets) that he owns have garnered a solid reputation for providing reliable customer service and irresistible offers. And for the last 30 years, repeat customers have comprised 75 per cent of the stores' clientele.

It's no doubt then, that Sir Hakimi's surroundings reflect the prestige he's attained. His marble-floored office is spacious and he can normally be found sitting with his back against a large window where today, a gleam of sunlight is fighting to shine through the gloomy clouds. In front of the windows are two of the most enormous desks I've ever seen; one that he sits in front of to conduct the majority of his work; and another that's adjacent to his main desk, where stacks of paper are piled up. What's most notably present on his desks, and in the office as a whole (perhaps unsurprisingly) are glasses. They're strewn all over the place; spilling out of boxes, resting on his filing cabinet, and decorating his coffee table. In fact, there are more than 10 pairs of glasses on his main desk alone, along with a cup of coffee and a partially smoked Cuban cigar that idles in a crystal ashtray.

What's more, his penchant for sailing is revealed by the bevy of portraits that adorn the walls, showing a proud-looking Sir Hakimi clad in a wetsuit and posing with a big smile and the day's catch. As a multi-millionaire, Sir Hakimi admits to revelling in the wealth he's amassed over the years, taking frequent trips and traversing Mexico on his yacht.

However, his humble formative years remain firmly etched in his memory. Born in Tehran, Iran, he lost his father at the tender age of five, and as a result, he began working at the age of 10 to support his mother and his siblings. Having toiled in blacksmith shop, he made magnifying glasses at one point and that's when his love for optics began to grow. As a result, it wasn't uncommon to see him peddling glasses outside local mosques following Friday prayers.

"To him, customers are his partners in success and he believes that he has to give his customers more than his competitors give."

As he grew up, he developed a passion for foreign languages. And today, in addition to English and his mother tongue, Farsi, he speaks fluent German, (learned from the time he spent grinding lenses in Germany and then camera lenses in Switzerland) and a little French and Spanish, and if that isn't enough, he boast that he can even sing in Arabic.

As a result of the adversity he encountered while growing up, his social conscience is strong, and he admits to feeling a personal obligation to share his prosperity with others. "The reason I've donated glasses to people living in third-world countries is because I experienced hardship in the past, and I firmly believe that money is only good if you can help needy people. After all, you can't take money to the grave."

This philosophy of not being able to take money to the grave manifests itself in more ways than one. It's not uncommon for Sir Hakimi to throw lavish balls, such as for holiday parties where he shells out $100,000 for four hours. "It's like I pay $25,000 for each hour to show my employees a good time," he chuckles. He also admits that he derives a sense of satisfaction knowing that he has 500 employees who enjoy comprehensive benefits packages and can support their families in a competitive job market.

Having dedicated 15 years of her life to Hakim Optical, Ilona Unger, Sir Hakimi's assistant, feels it's his philosophy on customer service that has contributed to the immense success of the company. "To him, customers are his partners in success and he believes that he has to give his customers more than his competitors give." (Hakim strives to do this with special promotions that are offered. For example, currently, you can get free lenses with the purchase of any frame or you can get a second pair of glasses for single vision, bifocal or invisible bifocal glasses for free.)

What more, Unger believes it's the hint of old-fashioned customer service that Sir Hakimi employs that sets him apart when dealing with a diverse group of customers that have a myriad of needs. "Sir's point of view is 'serve the customer as you would serve your own mother and father, with precision and sincerity'." "This is something Sir Hakimi strives for, and it 's not uncommon to see him labouring away for 10-12 hours at his office in order to ensure that his goals are met and that the company is run as effectively as possibly.

Yet of all the accolades he's received over the years that have lauded his achievements on the customer service front, the award he's most proud of celebrates his commitment to humanitarian efforts. This culminated in a knighting ceremony that took place at Queen's Park on June 24, 2005. "It was a significant occasion for me because it recognized the humanitarian efforts I've made by donating eyeglasses to people in third-world countries and my participation in a Ride for Sight that The Foundation Fighting Blindness put on. I was touched because it says something about me personally; I truly believe it's important to make a difference in the lives of others."