When Pritipaul Singh Jr. founded Guyana Port Inc. in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wasn’t just launching a business—he was seizing an opportunity to build something extraordinary. With no formal technical background in marine repairs, he relied on grit, vision, and people skills to grow from zero revenue to one of the fastest-growing marine service companies in the region. But what truly accelerated that growth was the guidance he received from his business coach, Vishnu Doerga, through ActionCOACH Guyana.
From learning the fundamentals of leadership to implementing strategic business systems, Pritipaul’s journey exemplifies what’s possible when vision is paired with mentorship. His story is not just one of business success—it’s about personal transformation, people empowerment, and building a legacy.
From Seafood to Shipyards: Seizing the Opportunity
Pritipaul began his entrepreneurial journey working in his family’s seafood export business. Although he came from a successful background, he was determined to prove himself. In 2021, with a dry dock as his primary asset, he stepped into the world of vessel repair with a bold plan and a desire to earn his own stripes. Despite lacking direct technical experience, he knew how to recognize opportunities, assemble a team, and set the business in motion.
“I knew what the finished product needed to look like,” he said. “I surrounded myself with people who had the experience, and I worked closely with them.” Like many early-stage founders, Pritipaul wore every hat in the business—from operations and finance to marketing and payroll. His commitment to learning every aspect of the company laid the groundwork for future scalability.
Meeting His Coach: A Chance Encounter that Changed Everything
Pritipaul’s introduction to ActionCOACH was serendipitous. Vishnu Doerga reached out about docking a vessel, and during their conversation, curiosity sparked. “Tell me about this thing you actually do,” Pritipaul asked. Vishnu explained his coaching work and offered a two-hour consult. That meeting was a turning point.
“I literally told him, ‘Where were you the past five years of my life?’” Pritipaul recalled. The consultation shifted his understanding of what a business could be—and what his business could become. Concepts like building a company that works without the owner, leveraging emotional intelligence, and systematizing growth were revolutionary to him.
From that day forward, Vishnu became more than a coach—he became a catalyst. ActionCOACH’s frameworks helped Pritipaul reimagine his leadership, his team’s development, and his long-term goals.
(Pritipaul Singh JR, Far left, and Dr. Vishnu Doerga, third from the left)
Building on Vision, Grit, and Relationships
At the core of Pritipaul’s approach are three key drivers: vision, grit, and emotional intelligence. He credits his success to a crystal-clear vision of what he wants the business to become, a tireless determination to get there, and a commitment to building meaningful relationships with clients and staff.
“When I see my vision, I can literally picture the people, the buildings, the benefits we create—it’s like seeing the future in images,” he explained. That visualization fuels his resilience, especially during difficult periods like the pandemic.
Grit, he believes, is something that can be learned and developed. “It’s not something you’re born with—it’s something you challenge yourself to acquire.” And when it comes to relationships, he’s especially passionate about understanding emotional intelligence and empathy—not just sympathy—as a business tool.
Through coaching, Pritipaul embraced the idea that a leader’s job is to elevate others. “If we’re going to move someone from project manager to CEO, we need to do a capability analysis and help them grow. That’s how the business grows too.”
Systems Thinking and Rapid Growth
Starting in a container office with just a few people, Guyana Port Inc. grew quickly—thanks in large part to the strategic lens provided by his coach Vishnu. In just over a year, the company grew its administrative team from 3 to 26. Revenue skyrocketed, increasing by over 400% in 2022 alone.
Pritipaul learned to view every challenge as a systems opportunity. Whether improving team communication, clarifying job roles, or streamlining customer acquisition, he leaned on ActionCOACH tools to standardize and scale.
“Working with ActionCOACH helped me realize I don’t have to work in the business—I can work on it,” he said. That mindset shift has become central to his leadership style and company culture.
(Dr. Vishnu Doerga speaking at an ActionCOACH event)
Empowering People for the Long Term
Today, Guyana Port Inc. is more than a successful business—it’s a platform for developing leaders. Pritipaul sees the company as a space where people grow. From implementing career paths to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he is focused on creating a business that provides real opportunities.
“Success to me is creating a profitable enterprise that works without me. That means the business continues to grow because of the people, not in spite of them.”
Coaching reinforced this philosophy, providing the frameworks to help people rise. From technical team leads to future executives, Pritipaul is laying the groundwork for others to one day run the business.
Final Thoughts: Vision in Action
What makes Pritipaul’s journey so compelling is the clarity with which he speaks about vision. For him, vision is not a distant dream—it’s a blueprint. With Vishnu’s support, he’s actively building that future today.
His advice to other entrepreneurs? “Find something you love. Then build a vision so clear you can see it in your mind. Refine it constantly, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.”
The partnership between Guyana Port Inc. and ActionCOACH Guyana has created more than revenue—it has created a high-performance culture grounded in learning, systems, and belief. And for Pritipaul Singh Jr., the journey is just beginning.
Ready to scale your business like Pritipaul? Request a free discovery call with an ActionCOACH today. Get the support, structure, and strategy you need to grow a business that thrives with or without you. Let coaching help you unlock your full potential.