Pritipaul Singh grew up in his father's seafood export business in Guyana. Today he is CEO of Guyana Ports, a ship repair company with a 30-year vision to become a regional leader in maritime services for the Caribbean. He had no technical background in ship repair when he started. What he did have was determination, a clear vision and strong relationships – and a business coach.
Learning the trade on the docks
For more than ten years Pritipaul worked in seafood export, learning quality control, logistics and how to negotiate a deal. It taught him the value of hard work. But he saw a bigger opportunity in ship repair.
“I wanted to earn my stripes and saw a distinct opportunity in ship repair.”
— Pritipaul Singh, CEO, Guyana Ports
Winning the first client
His toughest challenge was the very first customer: no experience, no track record. "I called a potential client and promised to start repairs the next day. We figured it out as we went along." That first job led to the next, and Guyana Ports built a reputation for reliability.
Three things that drive the business
- Determination. "You have to stick to commitments and get things done within tight deadlines."
- Vision. "When I started my business, all I had a vision for was one year. Now I have a 30-year vision of what my company should look like."
- Relationships. With employees, ship captains, suppliers and stakeholders. "Building relationships with employees, clients, and stakeholders is vital."
Working on the business, not just in it
Pritipaul worked with ActionCOACH business coach Dr. Vishnu Doerga in Guyana. Together they built the strategies and systems for sustainable growth.
“Working with ActionCOACH and Coach Vishnu taught me the value of working on the business, not just in it.”
— Pritipaul Singh, CEO, Guyana Ports
Lesson for Caribbean business owners
You don't need every answer before you start. You need a clear direction, the discipline to keep your promises and someone who holds you accountable while you grow.