Life as an ICT enterpreneur- Reishi Parikh, CEO Yaris Institute of Information and Business Studies studies.
1. Tell us about yourself .
I am an easy going person by nature and I love the nature. I was born in Kakamega, grew up in Kisii, Eldoret, Kiambu and finally Mombasa. That makes me a Total Kenyan Muhindi! My Father - Dr. Arun Shantilal Parikh, was the Government appointed Provincial Doctor / Surgeon in the mid 1970's and was transferred to all major Provinces at the time. My Mother - Yashumati is an ICU Trained Nursing Officer. I am married to Dr. Komal,That makes me a half Doctor! We have one son called Mst. Sanidhya. I schooled in Mombasa at Alibhai Panju and Aga Khan High, studied BSC I.T at multimedia University . Started ACCA studies- still pending completion, studied Insurance and finally am becoming a Publisher soon. I will pursue my Master's once things settle down...which they never do! Visit www.facebook.com/Reishi.Parikh.Yaris for more on me and be my Friend!
2. What is your business all about?
I have been managing Yaris Institute of Information and Business Studies since 1991 when it started as Aries Data Systems located at Shiva Towers - on Meru Road, Mombasa. We are now located at K. T. Plaza on Haile Selassie Avenue. I also manage Madafu Publications which publish the yet to be launched MaDaFu Classifieds at the Coast.
3. When did you start and how?
I worked at Aries Data Systems in 1991 after completing my ACP Advanced Diploma in Computer Science and stood 1st overall in the World in one of the papers. I lectured and managed the Centre. I became a partner in 1999 and took over the company and renamed it Yaris Data Systems in 2004. in 2011 YDS became YIIBS due to expansion of its courses as well as strategic plan changes. We have two centre's now in Mombasa. One in K. T. Plaza and the other in Nyali in M. K. Plaza..
4. What keeps you going?
Name! I like to make and maintain my name and that of the companies I am associated with. I have trained thousands of Mombasians in my 22 years. I have also connected many Yaris past Students to Jobs in different companies in the coast region thanks to our connections to all major companies in Mombasa. It makes my day when I meet a former Yaris Student who says he is now flying high in a big company because of his training in Yaris! We have many more Students abroad who are doing well internationally due to the training and certification received at Yaris.