Who Dares, Wins!

Success – the world has different meanings to all of us. For some it involves money, for others accumulation of desired assets and yet others emotional fulfillment in their personal and business relationship, or perhaps all of the above. However, there is most definitely a universal common denominator, and that is, the all encumbering, passionately-focused, positive mindset that successful people invariably have. Successful people do have some amount of luck on their side but luck comes only with tremendous hard work and a vision for the future. You are what you think about and if you think big, you grow big. Raj Shetty, story proves the point more than adequately. Raj Shetty, as he is better known, has proved that belief in oneself, trust in one’s ability and uncompromising hard work in life is a recipe to achieve anything. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Far from it, in fact, born in the small town of Kundapur, located near Udupi in Karnataka, on Oct. 13, 1960, Raj Shetty lived with his family in Mumbai for the early part of his life. When he was 18, he moved to Dubai in search of a better life. It’s the time for other 13 years olds to think of nothing beyond school and friends and a fun-filled life. But it wasn’t so for this destiny’s child. His teenage mind thought of what would make his future better, what would bring about an easier life for his parents. The opportunity could only come out of the country. The boy grasped that what most grownups pondered over. Raj Shetty applied for a job through an agent, and secured his first overseas break in Saudi Arabia at Costian Oil Refinery. Life was not easy for the little man who was called on to handle the most boring or unwanted jobs. He kept his chin up and his dream alive: One day he was going to build an empire in the hospitality business. The hospitality industry lured him. Albert abelas was his second job and a stepping stone to the industry. It is an experience that he will never forget. Having joined as Captain and being promoted to the level of Restaurant manager would have left a lot of us content and bereft of any further ambition. But Raj Shetty did not stop, he took us part time jobs and while his friends and colleagues were busy enjoying life, Raj Shetty worked day and night to pave way for his dream venture.

He returned to India with his savings and started a juice bar, which was successful for a short while. But he ached for more and so packed his bags yet again and came back to the Middle East with an even greater determination. He took up jobs at various levels, this time the entrepreneur did not hesitate to serve as a waiter, and then went on to become a captain and then a restaurants manager. In the process he also made good contacts and built relationships that came to good use one day with the local authorities and governments. His people skills were inborn.

His first independent opportunity in the Middle East came when he was offered lease to the first hotel in Dubai, UAE, to the start of the Ramee Empire. This was at the age of 25 years, barely decade after he started earning his first salary, The second venture was Glass Suites and then there was no looking back.

Al Ras in Deira was his first hotel. He put extreme efforts day and night, created his own team and profitably ran the hotel which earned him more monetary reserves. From 1997 to 2006 the company under the flagship Ramee Group of Hotels, Resorts and Apartments, chaired by him, owns 25 plus hotels, apartments and resorts in India, Dubai, Bahrain and Muscat. Regent Palace is his flagship hotel which has earned him tremendous credibility and a great reputation in the local market.

Under his direct supervision, the company’s strength has been in running budget hotels in excellent locations with themed outlets. Some of his own created signature outlets like Rock Bottom Café, Rocky’s café, Far East seafood Market and Bollywood café are successfully running in his hotels.

The story of Ramee is the story of one man’s dream with his team, his spontaneous creativity, the ability and willingness to make decisions and the courage to take risks. Raj Shetty has been driven by the need to create something new, build something tangible – the sing of a true entrepreneur. For him the game of life has meant betting on himself, winning, attracting new opportunities and creating good luck and good fortune not only for himself but also for the hundreds of people working with him as well as their families.

The company’s vision is to operate and own as many as 200 hotels in a short span of time. The Group aims to come out with more budget hotels in the near future.