‘It all began with a beat-up motorcycle and $7.50 in my pocket,’ says Roshan Khan

Managing Director of the RK’s Security Network, Roshan Khan.

THREE decades on and the man behind the name RK Security Services is still very grateful for the will that guided him to establish the business which has secured many a home and business in this country.

In a recent sit down with the Guyana Chronicle newspaper, Roshan Khan, owner and managing director of the well-established security firm, observed that the company celebrated 30 years last August 7 since he started operations with just a beat-up motorcycle and $7.50 in his pocket.

Recalling a story that is truly an inspiration to any upcoming entrepreneur in Guyana, Khan said prior to his decision to open his own security service, he was employed as an Inspector with another security firm, but circumstances caused him to leave.

He observed that this decision to leave the service was particularly distressing at that period in his life, and was of the magnitude that could have led to him making a choice that he would have regretted.

However, fate intervened, and Khan chose instead to follow his dreams and start his own business. He called that decision a defining moment in his life.

So at the young age of 24, and armed with his meagre savings and his only mode of transportation, Khan struck out on his own, doing the exact thing he was doing at his previous place of employment, that of inspecting Security Guards at various locations.

He recalled that his first contract was from a Chinese restaurateur in the La Penitence area, where he offered to check three or four times a night on the proprietor’s watchman/guard at the bargain cost of $10 a week.

Khan said from that moment onwards, due in no small part to his ability to work hard and long hours, his conscientiousness and work ethic, his business took off.

The Security entrepreneur also remembered that some time after his business gained popularity and he started receiving more and more contracts, he was able to employ his first set of workers.

With a seeming indifferent attitude, Khan stated that due to his rapidly rising success in the business, the owner of another security company tried to hire people to steal his “little” payroll and his motorcycle. That plan was however foiled when the contracted thief confessed to him what he was being employed to do.

Being in business for 30 years, he said, is a significant landmark in this country. Since its establishment, RK Security has gone into some very remote areas and provided security.

Today the company has offices and bases in New Amsterdam, Black Bush Polder, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Crab Wood Creek, Anna Regina, Charity, Linden, Kimbia, Matthew’s Ridge, and Kurupung, as well as other parts of Region 1,7,8,9 and 10, Khan told the Guyana Chronicle.

We have a very simple motto, “Our next address will be…wherever you want us”, he stated, adding that he feels his business has inspired a number of other security services to follow, expressing pleasure that he has been able to inspire others.

“I don’t look upon other businesses as competition, I look upon them as helping us to keep ourselves well balanced and on razor’s edge; they make us strive for higher standards and to do well…,” he said.

Khan proudly stated that he does not believe in incurring too much debt, and has, over the years, always invested and managed his money wisely; as a result, today he fully owns all of his buildings.

He stated that he received a lot of assistance and guidance from several businessmen in the country, notable among whom was Mr. Dennis Beepat of Beepat and Sons. Khan added that Beepat and other business people’s confidence in him soon after he struck out on his own was very instrumental in him being where he is today.

Meanwhile, to mark the anniversary, Khan spent that day in prayer and meditation as he does not believe in pomp and ceremony. However, the company will be conducting a series of programmes and projects, with special emphasis on helping the poor and needy.

The businessman noted his business will be providing meals at Joshua House and St. Ann’s orphanage, and will also be feeding the poor.

“One of the other important things we are going to do is give blood to the blood bank, so we will get our management teams and some of our loyal security personnel to be involved in this,” he said.

The Roshan Khan Security Service will also be venturing out into the city and assisting the Mayor and City Council with its efforts to keep the city clean.

“We are very grateful to God and to the successive governments we had in this country, and for all of the Commissioners of Police that always supported us.

“We are very grateful to our many customers, including the government locations…and we are very grateful to the guards, the workers, who form the backbone of the service; our workers are our pride and joy and we have about 95 per cent of absolutely loyal workers in our company,” he added.

The company’s future plans include, constructing a five storey office complex, not too far from its main location at Charlotte and Light Streets, in Georgetown. That building will house all the various sections of the business, he said.

Another business venture is in the works, but the Security boss said he is keeping that one close to the chest as he is still finalising details.

He stated however that when introduced, the project will be revolutionary as far as Guyana is concerned, and will provide more security to the Guyanese public at an affordable price.