In the bustling town of San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, a young girl named Helen Ramoutarsingh was born into a family that would shape her destiny and the future of the region’s business landscape. Helen Bhagwansingh, the eldest of four siblings, displayed remarkable leadership qualities from a tender age. Her father, Daniel Ramoutarsingh, owned a successful hardware store, where Helen and her siblings, Jack, Rajpaul, and Betty, lent their hands after school hours.
Early Life and Family of Helen Bhagwansingh
Helen’s childhood was marked by responsibility and hard work. Living first on Union Road and then on Main Road, Marabella, the Ramoutarsingh family was closely knit and industrious.
At the age of eleven, Helen’s formal education at Grants Presbyterian School was cut short. Her father, recognizing her potential, entrusted her with the bicycle repair department of his business. This decision would lay the groundwork for Helen’s future successes, as she managed the department with an efficiency that belied her years.
Building a Family Dynasty
In 1959, Helen Bhagwansingh married Hubert Bhagwansingh, a skilled radio technician with International Air Radio at Piarco. The couple moved to Valsayn, starting their new life in a home near the Drive-In Cinema.
A decade later, Helen seized the opportunity to purchase the cinema when McEnearney & Co. Ltd. put it up for sale. Running the cinema successfully for eight years demonstrated Helen’s business acumen and set the stage for her next venture.
When her father needed her to manage a small branch store at Sea Lots, Helen rose to the challenge. The store, a modest 20×20 foot galvanized iron shed surrounded by a mangrove swamp and the infamous “La Basse” dump, was not an ideal location. Yet, with her husband’s support, Helen transformed it into a thriving outlet, signaling the beginning of Bhagwansingh’s Hardware.
Expansion and Growth
Under Helen’s leadership, the business flourished. She expanded the product range to include cement, steel, and lumber, and acquired adjacent land to further grow the hardware store.
The Chaguanas store opened in 1988, followed by Marabella in 1995. In the late 1990s, Helen’s strategic foresight led her to acquire Dansteel and Centrin, companies in financial distress. Through her adept management, both companies returned to profitability, reinforcing Helen’s reputation as a formidable business leader.
Helen Bhagwansingh: A Visionary Leader
Helen’s success is rooted in her exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills. Her ability to make sound decisions and assess risks accurately has been pivotal in her journey. Named “Woman of the Millennium” by the Energy Chamber in 2000, Helen’s contributions to the business world have been widely recognized.
Commitment to Community and Family
Beyond her business achievements, Helen Bhagwansingh is known for her deep spirituality and philanthropy. As a devout Presbyterian, she believes in giving back to the community. She established a trust for Diabetes Education, Research, and Prevention with a significant donation, addressing the growing diabetes epidemic in Trinidad and Tobago.
Helen Bhagwansingh’s passion for her family is equally remarkable. She ensures that her businesses operate with integrity and sound commercial principles, while also emphasizing corporate social responsibility. Her four children, Suzanne, Wendy, Trevor, and Terry, have all been involved in the family business from a young age, continuing the legacy of hard work and dedication.
A Loving Matriarch and Business Pioneer
Helen’s relationship with her husband Hubert is a testament to mutual support and love. Married for over five decades, they have built a partnership that is both personal and professional. Hubert, content to let Helen take center stage, has been her steadfast confidant and supporter.
During the holiday season, Helen Bhagwansingh’s home becomes a beacon of joy and festivity. The elaborate Christmas decorations, featuring Santa and his reindeer, light up the neighborhood and bring smiles to all who see them. This annual tradition reflects Helen’s generous spirit and her desire to spread happiness.
Induction into the Business Hall of Fame
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the business community and her exemplary leadership, Helen Bhagwansingh was inducted into the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Business Hall of Fame in 2010. This honor acknowledges her as a trailblazer who has significantly impacted the nation’s economic landscape.
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