It’s been nearly two decades since “The Great Flood” that impacted more than a quarter of a million Guyanese changed the life of Tarchan Ramgulam. And now, it’s his first-hand account of the disaster and his passion for customer service that has led to him opening an American Dream in the Sunshine State next week. Ramgulam will unlock the doors on his Brightway, The Tarchan Agency insurance office in Oakland Park this Monday.
“Back during the flood, rising waters left most Guyanese in our hometown surviving for nearly a month,” Ramgulam recalled of the 2004 flood. “You could get through many of the homes using a small boat. With flood waters rising into the second story of our home, we did what we had to in order to survive the ordeal.” The natural disaster did more than half of a billion dollars in damage to the South American region.
Moving from their home along the Berbice River in South America to stay with family in the Southeastern U.S. in 2007, the international financial policy analyst and advisor first made a name for himself in helping establish financial agreements on not only a one-on-one basis, but an international stage, as well.
“I was a government negotiator for the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, helping eliminate trade barriers among nations in the Americas,” said the former Guyanese Government Director of Industrial Development.
“So much good came of that agreement. Years later, being able to open my own business in the U.S. has now provided me with so many opportunities for myself. When you are from a third-world nation, you see America as an opportunity, you see greener pastures.”
After watching his parents labor their lives away in the sugar cane fields of Guyana, Ramgulam knew that after they passed in 1994 that he would find another way to carry on their legacy. “I knew from a young age that I never wanted to work those 15-hour days in the fields,” Ramgulam said. “However, I do feel their spirt of hard work and dedication is something I have instilled in me and that will show in my business.” The West Oakland Park Boulevard business has been a vision of this Guyanese national since he and his family first stepped ashore in the States more than 15 years ago.
Spending his first 15 years in the U.S. working in customer service and call center management, Ramgulam is proud to be able to bring that experience to people in the insurance market. “Handling customer service by phone is about as tough as that side of the business gets,” Ramgulam said. “However, it translates well into being able to work with people one-on-one when it comes to protecting what matters most to them. Helping them with what they care about truly takes a level of service and compassion that must be genuine.”
Holding a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Guyana, Ramgulam and his wife, Vida, currently reside in North Lauderdale.
Brightway, The Tarchan Agency offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, Commercial and Life insurance policies from numerous insurance companies. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Visit them at their office at 2424 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 117, in Oakland Park, online at BrightwayTarchan.com or call 954-246-4447.
Brightway’s corporate office staff provides expertise and support in areas including customer service, technology, accounting, marketing, distribution and business analytics. In addition, Brightway handles carrier relations and appointments, as well as support with personnel hiring, licensing, onboarding, training and retention. The company’s signature after-the-sale service empowers Agency Owners, like Tarchan, to focus on new business sales and provide customers with the personalized service they deserve.
About Brightway Insurance
Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 350 agencies in 35 states and more than $1 billion in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.
Brightway produces winning outcomes for agency owners and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.
