Motorworld Group CEO ‘Rena’ Amjad: ‘Women increasingly breaking barriers’
When it comes to running her line of businesses, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Motorworld Group of Companies (Caribbean Auto, Audi St. Maarten and Dollar Thrifty Car Rental), Farina “Rena” Ayesha Amjad is a woman of grit and compassion.
A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, Rena exemplifies a strong female leader in the community.
As the world just celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, Rena says it’s no secret that women have historically faced greater barriers than men when it comes to fully participating in the business world. “However, in today’s world, women operate in every field of business and we are increasingly breaking down those barriers,” she told WEEKEnder.
“It is important that we are given the opportunity we rightfully deserve to demonstrate our skills and abilities because diversity in leadership breeds innovation. Just like the men, the women on my team are capable professionals who contribute to the overall strategy of my companies in a meaningful and impactful way. Their contributions are valuable and give me the benefit of many perspectives when making critical decisions.”
Rena was born in Guyana, in South America on July 10, 1957. She migrated to The Friendly Island of St. Maarten with her husband Imran McSood Amjad in 1982, when he came to the island to manage the then newly formed Nagico Insurances.
Rena is a hardworking and accomplished businesswoman. She started her journey in business in the car rental industry in 1986, with one car, with the formation of Paradise Car Rental. With drive and determination as her guide, she made it a success and it now boasts a fleet of cars and a large client base. That business is now run and operated by her brother.
Since then, Rena has acquired the double franchise of Dollar Thrifty Car Rental, which under her guidance and management, has become the number one car rental on the island. Her business ventures extended to the Motorworld Group, when she purchased the motor vehicle dealerships of Motorworld and Caribbean Auto. Combined, the dealerships have maintained the lead for many years as being the number one motor vehicle dealership on the island.
Rena’s love for the island and its development has driven her and her family to invest in the building of a new world class Motorworld Showroom in Cole Bay, as well as an Audi Showroom, also in Cole Bay, and the Dollar Thrifty Car Rental building.
With all this, Rena still finds time for her family, which, she stresses, is her number one priority. She is a great wife to her husband of 38 years and a loving mother to her two sons Reza and Tariq. She also loves her daughters-in-law and grandchildren immensely and enjoys spending time with them. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and cooking.
Rena is a very caring, giving and humble person. She enjoys giving back to the community and does so in the form of donations to sports, social events, education and the youth. She is a great motivator for success and is by far what many would describe as a “phenomenal woman.”
When it comes to running her businesses, Rena says she has an open-door policy so that anyone, from manager to receptionist, can visit her office for any issues. “The speed of the boss is the speed of the team, so I try my best to work as efficiently as possible to set the tone for my team,” she tells WEEKEnder. “Being a leader doesn’t always mean leading the team. Sometimes, you just have to be a team player in order to get the maximum benefit for the company.”
Asked what she thinks has contributed to her success in business, she responded, “Hard work, dedication, perseverance, a very good team of managers and staff and, most importantly, very loyal customers. Also, I have the undying support of my husband and two sons, who have stood by my side through all the good and bad days.”
As for what exemplifies her as a woman entrepreneur, she says, “I never ask a member of staff to do something that I won’t do myself. There is no such thing as ‘I don’t know’ because there is always a way to find out. I believe that everything that is worth doing should be done to the best of my ability. I don’t see gender in business. I see talent and skills. I see productivity and competence. My team isn’t a blend of males and females. It is a blend of competent people who are professionals in their respective fields.”
Rena has very specific future goals and there are many things she likes about being a business leader. “I like that I am my own boss and that I have the ability to shape the business with every decision that I make. I also enjoy working with people and I’ve built a very large community around me by being a business leader. My hope for the near future is to retire and have my sons take over the businesses while I travel the world with my husband. I’ve worked every day to build these businesses and now I want to enjoy.”
Over the years, Rena has received several recognitions including the Lifetime Achievement Queen Award from Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation in 2015, the Paul Harris Award from Rotary Sunrise in 2017 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Prominent Women Organisation in 2018. She shares some positive advice to women who dare to embark on owning their own businesses, particularly in industries traditionally dominated by men: “The most powerful force in the human psyche is how we describe ourselves to ourselves. Don’t let anyone give you a label. Only you have the power over your persona. The words that follow ‘I am’ follow you. So, if you say, ‘I am a leader,’ you already have the capacity to become a leader.”
Rena hopes all women enjoyed International Women’s Day and she wishes all women an enjoyable Women’s History Month.
