It makes sense to have Plan B for use if the original method fails or proves to be impractical or seems unsuccessful. But sometimes going without a second line of defence could make you a big hit in business — perhaps as big, successful and satisfied as Mohammed Ameen, founder of the largest private fishing company in Oman.

His Plan A when he took off from the southern Indian state of Kerala to Oman a few decades ago was to grab somehow one of the jobs in a fishing company that he had seen in newspaper advertisement. However, within a short while after his arrival in Muscat the company closed down.

Going back to his hometown was no option for Ameen.

“There was never a Plan B for me,” Ameen recounts how bad luck turned his dream upside down, leaving him to look frantically for a new job.

“Now, when I look back, that was a hard battle with life. I never realised I will win the battle and reach where I’m today. It wasn’t easy,” the Managing Director of Sea Pride goes back in time.

Ameen has more than 30 years of experience in the sector.

Hailing from a little-known village in Kochi in Kerala, India, Ameen always grabbed the opportunity to learn new skills. “I was not good in academics. I sat Class 10 exams twice (then the Secondary School Leaving Certificate, popularly known as SSLC).

Never had anyone to mentor me. I was a self-learner but always had a fascination for learning new skills,” Ameen recalls.

In the 80s people from Asian countries, particularly India, moved to the Gulf countries hoping to make it big in quick time. Ameen was no exception. His family hardships forced him to take the flight to Oman.

“While looking for employment I saw a newspaper advertisement for jobs in a fisheries company in Muscat. Unfortunately, I lost that job as the company closed down in just one and a half months after my arrival,” he says.

He was not prepared to go back empty-handed. “I joined another private fishing company in 1990 and was in charge of their Sur operations. That was the turning point for me,” Ameen adds.

Ameen began developing contacts among local fishermen who “trusted me more than the company I worked for”. Over time he learnt the nuances of the business.

“What I have learnt over the years is that if you win the trust of Omanis they will give you their heart. Trust me, they are the most wonderful human beings on earth,” says Mohammed Ameen

In 1991, Ameen started his own business in Sur under the leadership of Sheikh Juma Mohd Said Al Farsi who has been Ameen’s pillar of strength over the last 30 years.

“I always wanted someone who understands the business… More than money it’s the support that was essential at that time. From then till today Sheikh Juma remains my biggest support,” he beams.

At the start of business, Ameen was multitasking. “I drove hundreds of kilometres with my children while at work. I was working for nearly 15 hours a day. I had only one goal: to successfully set up my business,” he recollects.

Today, Sea Pride boasts many fishing factories across the country, including those in Sur, Sharqiyah and in Duqm. “Many of those who are working with me have been with the company for the last 20 years. We are a family,” he notes.

Sea Pride’s factory in Sur is the state-of-the-art, largest of its kind in the country with modern equipment and cutting-edge technology.

Ameen has introduced international standards and production lines in his new factory with the objective of continuing to improve the quality of Sea Pride’s products. “Fish are handled with care from the time they land on the ship right up to the factory. We don’t throw out any waste; it’s converted into fish feed. Our factory is in fact a zero-waste operation,” he points out.

Having developed and contributed to the fisheries industry, Ameen is now looking to create more job opportunities for young Omanis. “This is the country that created an address for me. This is the country that made me what I am today. Now it’s time for me to give back,” he says.

His hunger for learning earned him a master’s degree in business administration. “HAL University gave me admission based on my experience and work and that is an achievement,” he adds.

Ameen is in the midst of building a fishing boat yard. “My aim is to completely modernise the fishing industry. I am always concerned about the fishing boats used by our fishermen. Most of them are using open boats which are not safe especially to store fishes. We have now designed boats that can stay longer times at sea and keep the fishes fresh. We are building such boats,” he says.

Ameen’s enthusiasm and perspective on life is what makes him successful. “If you’re honest and passionate about what you’re doing you will be successful. You have only one life. Be a good human being. That’s my mantra,” he smiles.

“All people fail at certain instances in their lives… the only thing that makes them different is how they manage to stand up every time they fail. Failure makes you humble to strive hard for success,” he adds.