The Life Story of the Beautiful and Successful Renda Abdo
By freelance author, Farook Aman, Ottawa, Canada
Family Background
Karim was an intelligent young man whose educational achievements earned him a scholarship in England. Mary was his bride in waiting, though neither of them knew it at the time. They met through Mary’s sister, fell in love, and eventually got married.
Upon graduation, Karim and Mary moved to the then British Aden Colony, where Karim secured a top position in a healthcare facility. Soon, they decided to start a family. Mary gave birth to two daughters and a son—Reema, the eldest, followed by Rami, and then Renda.
Canada
This story focuses on Renda and her remarkable success.
Renda was a toddler when her parents decided to emigrate to Canada, settling in Kingston, Ontario. Karim found a good job at one of Kingston’s hospitals, and the family provided their children with strong values of independence and hard work.
Reema pursued a career in the Ontario Provincial Police, while Rami found his path in healthcare. Renda, however, had a different vision. She felt a strong and persistent urge to move to the big city of Toronto to carve out a life for herself.
Her parents and siblings were deeply concerned about her decision. They feared for her safety and stability, believing it was too risky for her to move alone to such a large city. Despite their concerns and attempts to dissuade her, Renda remained determined.
Her father, somewhat sarcastically, told her to go if she truly wanted to—but he was certain she would return home soon. However, Renda defied all expectations. She did not return home for nearly 16 years, except for occasional visits. She remained focused on her dream of making it big in Toronto.
Toronto Bound
Renda moved to Toronto, determined to succeed. She took her first job as a waitress in a downtown restaurant, where her captivating smile and humorous personality quickly won over customers.
She was not like other young people—she did not indulge in nightlife, waste time aimlessly, or spend money carelessly. Instead, she saved diligently, with a clear goal in mind: to build a successful future.
Renda’s perseverance was unshakable. She worked tirelessly, sacrificing sleep and leisure, until she had saved enough money to take her next big step—owning a restaurant.
Renda, the Business Owner
Confident in her abilities and experience, Renda and a friend decided to buy the restaurant where they worked, becoming co-owners. Their choice of location was strategic—the restaurant was surrounded by movie theaters, attracting large crowds of diners after each show. In fact, more than 80% of the restaurant’s revenue came from moviegoers.
With her warm smile and commitment to serving fresh, high-quality food, Renda quickly built a loyal customer base.
The Popular Restaurant and Renda as Sole Owner
As the business thrived, Renda decided to buy out her partner’s share, making her the sole owner. She made an irresistible offer, which her co-owner accepted.
Taking her vision even further, Renda purchased the three-story building housing the restaurant and renovated it to make it the most competitive eatery in the area.
When faced with signing a five-year lease, she hesitated. Sensing her uncertainty, her father reassured her that he would provide financial support if needed. Encouraged by his words, Renda moved forward with confidence.
Her father, now retired, became her pillar of support. He frequently traveled to Toronto, staying with her for up to four days a week to help with accounting and administrative tasks. This not only strengthened their father-daughter bond but also allowed Renda to focus on entrepreneurship, food stocks, and sales.
Word about the restaurant quickly spread. Business leaders, VIPs, and their families became regular customers, bringing even more visibility. Soon, politicians also began frequenting the restaurant, seeing it as a prime venue for socializing and public engagement.
Renda’s commitment to hard work and employee incentives helped her team thrive. Customers lined up day and night, drawn by an expanded menu, improved service, and modernized kitchen equipment.
She even introduced a bold policy: “If your freshly cooked meal isn’t served within 10 minutes, it’s free!” This created excitement and increased customer satisfaction.
Renda made her restaurant a welcoming place for all—children received small gifts, and the atmosphere was always warm and inviting.
Opening Three More Restaurants
With her business booming, Renda seized an even bigger opportunity—opening three additional restaurants within a decade.
By maintaining similar menus across locations, she negotiated better deals with suppliers, allowing her to buy fresh ingredients in bulk at competitive prices. Initially, suppliers were hesitant to offer discounts, but as her business grew, she gained their trust and secured cost-saving advantages.
This allowed her to provide high-quality food at better prices, further increasing her customer base.
Expanding into the Hospitality Industry – A High-End Motel
Always the visionary entrepreneur, Renda sought to diversify her business. She set her sights on the luxury hospitality industry.
To finance this new venture, she sold two of her restaurants, using the proceeds along with support from financial institutions.
Her next acquisition: a high-end motel in Prince Edward County, just two hours east of Toronto.
Unlike standard roadside motels, Lakeside Motel was designed for an elite clientele, offering luxury accommodations and premium service.
With the exception of the three winter months, when the motel closed, Lakeside Motel operated at near full capacity year-round.
Word quickly spread, attracting high-profile guests who, in turn, brought their friends and colleagues.
Renda’s Business Ethics and Leadership
A true professional, Renda believes in strict adherence to laws and ethical business practices. She has zero tolerance for associates who fail to uphold these standards.
She ensures all taxes, salaries, employee benefits, and incentives are handled responsibly.
Despite her immense responsibilities, stress never takes a visible toll on her. She remains youthful, her smile lighting up every room she enters. Her warm personality and sincerity make her a natural leader.
Renda also engages in quiet philanthropy. She donates generously to worthy causes but never seeks recognition, believing that true charity should be done in secrecy to earn divine blessings.
Married to Her Business
When asked about marriage, Renda’s response is always:
“Yes, I am married—to my business!”
Her work is her passion, and she enjoys every moment of it.
Her journey is a testament to hard work, determination, and resilience, proving that success is possible with the right mindset and dedication.
For comments: farook_aman@rogers.com
