November 20, 2008

Dubai :  A Gem in the Arabian Gulf - James Mendonca 

by Walter Nandalike / Dayan D'Souza

 
Mangalorean catholic community has produced several  entrepreneurs as well as community  leaders. But very few of them have excelled  both in entrepreneurship as well as social  leadership. If James Mendonca, 56-year-old, evergreen, ever smiling, and a dynamic  personality is featured in this column, it is just because of his exceptional talent in  taking forward the entrepreneurship as well as community leadership simultaneously, far from home, in the Arabian Gulf.

The current, younger generation has lot to learn from this achiever, easily fitting as  a perfect  role model. His time management, commitment, dedication and honesty has  brought him his  success.  The  low profiled , publicity shy personality  finally agreed to speak to daijiworld about his journey from Vamanjoor Padav to city of black  Gold - Dubai.

Born to the  late Paul Albert and Marceline Mendonca of Vamanjur Padav, James is the seventh among  eight children to his parents. 

"My father was a local businessman in Mangalore.  Perhaps that could be the reason today  many of our family members are successful  entrepreneurs" says James.

James did his primary education in St Ann’s School Kelarai, , high school in Padavu and PUC and  Degree in BSC  at St Aloysius Mangalore. 

A civil Engineer by profession James had no intention to go for engineering, but it was  his family members who guided and forced him to do it and today he owes a lot to the  family for his success.

"My father died when I was seven. Thereafter  my brothers and sisters supported me a lot" says  James, who secured  6th rank in  Civil Engineering at  the Malnad College of Engineering , Hassan.

Before beginning his journey to UAE, he had only six months work experience in KIOCL , Kudremukh.  With the help of his family members he reached the shores of UAE in 1978. He  first joined an UK based multinational company 'Bernands Sunley & Sons.  Later he also worked for Dutco and Arenco  based in Fujairah and Dubai.

Once again with the support from his family members he could start  his own company 'Reliable  Fabricators'  in 1988 which even today is a very well known company around UAE for fabrication  and projects works.

James  never looked back after that . Today he manages six other companies  along with Reliable Fabricators 

James Mendonca - the Community Leader:

Though James had no much opportunities in his childhood or younger days to lead clubs or  organizations, he always had the quality of leading the team. During his  days at the engineering college  he had a few opportunities to lead teams, but not in big ways.

Today, James is an  undisputed community leader.  His contribution to the entire society is  sizable.  Mangalore Konkans Dubai, which is at the threshold  of completing 20 years of existence in  November,  is  under the leadership of James Mendonca.

Perhaps, James is the only leader who took the helm of affairs of Mangalore Konkans for  a consecutive  fifth year. As our readers know, Mangalore Konkans has a reputation of being a model  organization.  Its achievements  in the  field of social service and Konkani language, culture and tradition is laudable.
 

A Businessman and  A Leader :

It is not easy for anyone to manage  multiple  business units with more than 800 staff and a community organization at the same time.  "I am very time conscious. Despite  the  traffic problems in Dubai I never  like to give traffic delay as an excuse. If you manage your time well, half of the responsibility is  done!" says a  confident James who is even ready to spend sleepless nights  just to keep up his  commitments.

"In the Gulf it is extremely difficult for one to keep the commitments on time, but it  is not impossible. Though you need to depend on various factors to fulfil your promises, your  positive  attitude and thoughts will take you towards  success" says James.

"Everyone has priorities  in their lives. Hence prioritize your work and be  honest in whatever you do. That  will be the  formula for your success.”

James Mendonca is also a great lover and supporter of his mother tongue Konkani. He  never said a  'NO' to anyone  who has approached him for help in this cause.  "I am  proud to be Mangalorean, proud to be Konkani speaking. I never hesitate to speak Konkani whenever and wherever required. “

Though his intention is  to support the Konkani speaking as well as all other  Mangaloreans to help find  Jobs, he is disheartened  by the attitude of his own.  “ I feel that our own people have ditched us” he laments. “ Many of our youngsters who I tried to help are not committed to their work “ He hopes and  aspires that  the youngsters  be faithful and hardworking  in whatever  work they are involved in.

James Mendonca and Family:
 
Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And Shobha Mendoca , his wife is no exception. An enterprising  lady, a champion sports person and a successful woman entrepreneur is indeed a great support  behind the success  of James Mendonca.

Though she became a business person with the  support from James, she manages  a few companies  independently. 

Shobha Mendonca is a champion Tennis player  and has  won several laurels to the  UAE team. A display of trophies at her house is a witness of her achievements in the sports arena.

Besides sports. she too possesses  great  leadership qualities. She led  the  Agnesian Alumni team in UAE for a two-year term.  Currently  she is one of the lead members  of KEL (Karntaka Entrepenuers Ltd) formed by successful business persons in the UAE.

"Shobha gives first priority to the family, specially her children, and then her concentration goes out to business and other matters.  “ That is  how we were  able to bring up our children in the  right direction" says James

The couple have two children Samantha (20) and Shawn (23)

"I must compliment Shobha. She has always been an inspiration to me. Whenever I was  held up  with business or other  meetings, she  managed the  house well. That was  the reason I could give more time to social activities" he says.
 
James Mendonca's Message to Youth:

Youngsters, if you have capabilities, be an entrepreneur.  You just need to have  self confident, be  ready to face failures and willing to start fresh again!  Accept failure gracefully. Business is like a train. If you miss one, you can catch  another !  Be positive in your thinking always.
 

Shobha's message to women to take-up business:

A woman is no less than a man. It is basically all about confidence and  an open mind. Every day  is a learning experience. Accept everything as a challenge and face it. In this male dominated  industrial world,  if you are smart, capitalize on your talent and take advantage of it.! If there  is a will, there is surely a way, and you can do it!

To end, the secret of success of this role model couple is,  "We support and appreciate  each other, we do not feel insecure, we support each other whenever each of us  excels..."