Virk-Patton, president of Okemos-based KAP Financial, Inc. and Capital Title Corp., has been named the 2006 outstanding financial services entrepreneur. She finds it ironic that she has made a name for herself in an industry long dominated by men.

In India, even though she eventually assumed control of the family farm’s budget, supervised the farmhands and even managed their payroll as a 12-year-old, Virk-Patton realized early on her opportunity for success would be severely handicapped in her homeland.

So after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, she came to the United States in 1987 to pursue the American dream. Virk-Patton began her professional career as a teller for Capitol National Bank in Lansing and soon after entered the world of residential mortgage lending as a loan officer for a local lending company.

“America was always attractive to me because everyone here has the chance to pursue their dreams, regardless of race, gender or social status,” Virk-Patton said. “It was challenging to learn the culture and the financial system, but I have never regretted moving here.”

Virk-Patton founded KAP Financial, a commercial and residential lending company, in 1998 and then started a title insurance and settlement company, called Capital Title Corp., several years later. Her lending and title insurance services businesses combined have 11 employees.

“Business is all about relationships. We focus on educating the consumer, because knowledge is power. If people have better financial knowledge they can eliminate debt faster and build wealth,” Virk-Patton said.

The casual attitude many Americans have about money amazes Virk-Patton. “Many people think if they live long enough they’ll pay everything off,” she said.

That type of conspicuous spending could lead to more professional services from Virk-Patton, including additional wealth management services.

“I want to teach people to conserve and make better financial decisions. We want to make loans, but at the same time so many people are so far in debt they need to change attitudes about how they care for money,” she added. “We respect our customers regardless of their economic position. We are all about equality because I have been so accepted by this community.”

Virk-Patton said she has always been a survivor and sees the adversity she endured during her childhood in India as a source of strength.

“India has changed a great deal. It’s a much more open society now and a totally different era than when I was a little girl. I didn’t stand a chance to be where I am today if I had stayed. I am living the American dream now,” she declared.