Doing the right thing the right way
Principled and unassuming, easygoing yet efficient, Uvendra Balgobin is anything but an ordinary electrician having wired homes and structures on two continents, among them the National Cultural Centre and the National Stadium at Providence. He says when people become aware that he has done wiring work on such notable structures, they are amazed because he is no “big company”. But the quality of his work and his integrity guarantee his success. In little more than half a day on one work site, he, with his crew of two, had put in several exterior security lights; installed several ceiling fans and quite outside the scope of his duties,
secured with screws two wobbly shelves before demonstrating the electrical controls.
The much-travelled Anna Regina resident noted that in any business the most important thing is the way you treat your customers, because without customers, you have no business.
His credo: “Stand by your word – if you tell someone tomorrow you’ll come, stand by your word.
“Do work the right way – don’t try a shortcut because in the long run, it will cost you.
“And give people positive advice – if you know it’s not good, don’t tell people to buy it, because you want the work. Tell people the right thing.”
Born into a family of electricians, Balgobin learnt his trade and principles from his now deceased father, as he was “foot and foot behind him” before formal certification. The baby of the family, the 26-year-old, aside from his own contracts – including work for his home region of Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), assists his older brothers as needed.
Questioned why he felt the need to own his own business when he simply could have taken the easy path and gone to work for his brothers, he pointed out that would have required him moving or migrating thus giving up his father’s house and his independence. However, he had a different vision for his future: he wanted to build on what he inherited, for the family and grandchildren he one day hoped to have.
In the midst of all his electrician work, the young entrepreneur still finds time to pursue his other two passions – cricket and music. An avid cricketer who has represented his county at the youth level, the Essequibian with a quiet enthusiasm and persistent smile described his current participation for North Essequibo in the Busta cricket competition (they are through to the semi-finals). Like Balgobin’s cricketing, there is no doubt that exploring his musical passion in the form of owning a music system that provides entertainment at events brings him much enjoyment. More than most, he seems to have found a balance to his life that works. The fact that his DJ and a teammate were the members of his closely-knit work crew as well as his wholehearted highlighting of their talents was evidence of that, and his generosity.
Asked what inspires him to keep going, Balgobin said forthrightly “the public, my fans… The way people look out for you; the way they encourage you”.
He urged persons who are thinking of setting up their own businesses to “go out and try”.
“Don’t think negative.”
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