Couva business woman pushing ahead

Couva business woman Bissoondaye Ramsingh, 72, is not easily brought into the spotlight. Instead, she prefers to lead and not follow.

In fact, this has been her credo throughout her business life and which has been working for her over the years. Ramsingh is one of the driving forces behind Ramsingh’s Plaza on the Southern Main Road, Couva, an entity that is emblematic of business in this central community. When Ramsingh’s Plaza opened its doors to the public, it was amid much buzz and anticipation.

“We felt this concept was very exciting,” she said. The plaza has been enormously successful and set the stage for other business units. Corporations are under continued pressure to improve their bottom lines, and the plaza was no different.

With a knack for spotting the right deals and taking chances that pay off, Ramsingh can roll punches with the best of them.

She has directed, with the pruned and supervised a busines empire that would be the envy of even the most seasoned of CEOs.

She is responsible for Ramsingh’s Sports World, Savi’s Jewellery, an electronic store and a clothing shop, all of which are right in the heart of Couva.

From all appearances, the businesses are thriving.

“We will continue to grow and expand,” she said in an interview, noting that the objective was to create a concept where by the company would be able to provide customers with a growing array of goods and services.

She said with prices that are affordable and unbeatable customer service, consumers from all over the country make the trip to her store.

The mother of five — Nal, Nehru, Vashti, Narad and Valmiki who has since died — has business in her blood. She is the daughter of the late Jang Bahadoorsingh, who owned four businesses in Port-of-Spain and who at one time was the man behind New Yorker shirts which was once a brand name among men’s garments in the country.

Ramsingh attended Nelson Street Girls’ Roman Catholic School and Duke Street Anglican, after which she sought and successfully gained entry to Bishop Anstey High School.

A few years later, she was married to Arjoon Ramsingh of Southern Main Road, California, and settled down in Couva to help run a family business.

No sooner had the business begun to take off, than her husband died.

“This was a big blow,” she said. It was even suggested that she should leave Couva and return to Port-of-Spain but that never happened.

She said she persisted, noting that she wanted to stay in the sugar belt to make a contribution.

Back then, she was regarded as a dynamic entrepreneur and one who was willing to take risks.

From those early days, she charted her course for the company, mapping out new plans that have stood the test of time. Already, she said she is looking at the hundreds of new homes that are going to be built in the immediate environs as a result of Government’s restructuring of the sugar industry.

Bissoondaye, who has been an honorary member of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce for her contribution over the years, wears many hats: vice-president of the Couva Scouts Council, a member of the Police Youths Club, Lions and Scouts Group; a member of the school board of Preysal High School and an awardee for Total Quality Life from the Women of the Caucus Group.

Bissoondaye said that her company was always prepared to give something back to the community where they have been operating for years.

She pointed out that while she received her early training from Christian schools, there is goodness and beauty in all religions.

She said God plays a big part in her life and guides her business. She said that she was brought up in a home where family was of paramount importance. “We are all our brother’s keeper,” said the businesswoman.

She said she is undaunted by what lies ahead. “I’m ready for anything,” she said.