Ramjee Iyer’s Journey from Blue-Collar Worker to Multi-Millionaire Entrepreneur
Starting his career at the age of 17, Ramjee Iyer, now a UAE-based Multi-Millionaire and founder of a successful company, recalls the humble beginnings that shaped his journey. He started in heavy construction fabrication for cement and oil plants and later worked as a laborer on India’s thermal power plants. Despite his current wealth, one memory stands out for Iyer: losing his first salary as a white-collar worker to a pickpocket in an Indian theatre.
Speaking about the incident, Multi-Millionaire Iyer, now 52 and residing in Palm Jumeirah, said, “This incident happened around 1995. I had my first decent job and received my first salary of Rs1,200 (approx Dh55 now) instead of daily pay. I decided to treat myself to a movie, something I hadn’t done in over a decade. For that matter, I hadn’t done anything for myself in years – I had only focused on working. So, one Sunday, with my first salary in my pocket, I stood in line at the theatre.”
Unfortunately, his wallet was stolen, leaving him devastated. “After toiling for so many years to earn a proper salary, losing it in less than 24 hours was heartbreaking. The amount of money I lost might seem insignificant compared to what people earn today. Even if I lose a million dirhams now, it wouldn’t compare to the despair I felt that day,” he added.
Overcoming Early Challenges
Multi-Millionaire Iyer’s life wasn’t always this prosperous. His father, once a successful businessman in Chennai, faced financial difficulties and health issues, leading to the loss of their wealth. By the time his father passed away, Iyer’s family was nearly destitute. With no money to finish school or attend college, Iyer began working at a young age. His first job was as a laborer in Gulbarga, South India, earning just Rs900 in 1993 (approx Dh40), working 11-hour days.
Iyer’s perseverance paid off as he gained experience working on various power plants and dam construction projects across India. “I was a laborer in constructing India’s thermal power plants and nuclear facilities. However, due to my performance, I started receiving better opportunities. I have held nearly every position within a medium-sized construction company, including roles such as helper, fitter, welder, supervisor, project in charge, contract manager, and VP contracts. Additionally, I have experience in the purchasing department and briefly worked in sales as well,” Iyer said.
Success in Dubai
His hard work and dedication led him to Dubai, where he was appointed Country Head of Operations for an Indian company. At 28, Iyer moved to the UAE, eventually establishing his own company focused on offshore oil and gas construction projects. The venture grew, and Iyer acquired a fleet of vessels for marine and construction support, leading to significant financial success.
Despite his wealth, including luxury assets like a 66-foot yacht, a Ferrari, a Porsche, and a collection of premium watches, Iyer emphasizes the importance of staying grounded. “The experience of dealing with people in various posts – from being on the sidelines of meetings to becoming the centre of the place has been a journey in itself. You learn how to deal with people, and you learn to see and understand different kinds of people, and that’s one of the foundations of what I can achieve today.”
A Commitment to Ethical Business
Iyer eventually sold his business, Oceanking, after managing numerous global projects and around 300 engineers. Following eight years of world travel, he returned to the business world as a developer, driven by a desire to remain active and continue contributing to society.
“To become successful, you don’t need to be born into a rich family or acquire a lot of degrees; needless to say, education is important. But what one requires is intelligent hard work, remain ethical and do your job smartly. Then you’ll come up in life,” Iyer stated.
Iyer also praised the UAE’s supportive environment for business and entrepreneurship. “The UAE teaches people to do business cleanly and professionally, requiring thoroughness and ethical practices. To succeed here, you must understand your product, target audience, and delivery methods. Professionalism and ethics are crucial for executing business effectively in the UAE,” said Iyer, who has lived in the country for nearly 24 years.
