Adil Popat’s Simba vision, from cars to 5-star hotels

Apart from engaging in motor vehicle distribution (Simba Colt Motors), Simba Corporation has today branched into the hospitality and real estate sectors. Adil is finally bringing on board his extensive experience in the hotel industry to develop new projects.

Of course there is their flagship five-star, 200-room Villa Rosa Kempinski that they manage together with the Mara camp under the same hotel chain.

They are currently developing a 94-room hotel at the Acacia Mall in Kisumu and plans are underway to start construction of a 168-room hotel along Mpaka Road in Nairobi’s Westlands area early next year. Adil says it’s going to be an “iconic and hip” hotel targeting young urban professionals.

They also plan to start a two-star hotel programme across the country to cater for local business travellers in small towns. The first construction which will be a property in Naivasha starts in 2015.

Adil was born and bred in Kenya, schooled in the US, worked for Deloitte and Hilton and ran hotels in Portugal for seven years. We meet for coffee at The Kempinski on a Saturday morning.

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What have you learnt about money?

The biggest problem with money is that it corrupts men. You can have it today but you may not have it tomorrow. So you have to be able to live without it.

Do you worry about money; that you might lose it?

We came from humble beginnings. My grandfather came here with one suitcase. If I leave this world with only one suitcase, it will be good enough. The thing is, we get spoilt with money; we want to fly First Class and drive expensive cars but when we die, we die with nothing. We go with nothing. If you are aware of this fact, you can survive without money.

What is your greatest possession?

My greatest asset are the experiences I have had. I have lived in the US and UK. I’ve done business in all parts of the world and met all sorts of interesting people. I value these experiences a lot.

Who has influenced you the most in your life?

In business, it has been my late father. He was a remarkable man, a renowned businessman. Then there is also my wife, who is Portuguese.

Did marrying someone from outside your race present some conflict?

She is Portuguese Asian. I think intermarriages are going to happen eventually. But the whole resistance to intermarriages is all about communities trying to protect themselves. I also don’t see anything wrong with anyone deciding to marry from a different community or race.

The big question is whether you can manage it because some cultures are not aligned while others are. It’s up to the two individuals concerned to make it work. I would definitely like my daughters to marry into our community but ultimately, it will be their choice and as long as they can sustain it, I’m okay.

What’s more challenging, fatherhood or running your businesses?

Fatherhood is more challenging. Business is manageable, fatherhood requires a connection that is stronger than business. Children also challenge you in many aspects. I have a daughter who works in New York, one who just finished business degree and a son about to go university and all have different personalities. I find that I need a lot of patience.

What is you limitation as father?

It is to understand their aspirations and visions. When I was young, my father said something and I obeyed, now it’s different. They ask questions. I want my kids to be close to me and for me to be able to understand them but there is a line between being a friend and an authority.

Do you think you are better at being a husband or a father?

(Laughs). I try to do both well but unfortunately relationships between children and their father is different between wives and their husbands.

Sometimes your wife might not understand what you do for them, in terms of giving them security and opening opportunities for a better life for the family, all which takes time. That may bring conflict and striking that balance is delicate.

What has been your greatest failure in life?

I started a business in Johannesburg way back in 1997. I invested in Ocean Basket, the restaurant chain, but it failed. The business environment in SA is so different, I learnt.

Their attitude is that when you come together in a partnership, you have to do it their way regardless of whether you are making losses or not. South Africans only want to win, even at your expense. It was a great lesson; you plant a seed and it might just not grow.

What are you struggling with right now in your life?

One of the things is keeping healthy. My wife is quite health conscious so she pushes me, I’m lucky in that regard. I’m also trying to handle stress, both at work and socially.

What is that one thing that has eluded you in your life?

Harmony in family has been elusive…in my extended family. That’s the one area that I wish was different. (Pause) I can’t blame one person for this situation…things happen and people get misunderstood.

What’s your greatest insecurity?

I think it’s making sure that my family is in a good place. The security problem in Kenya worries me a lot. I want to know that my family is well looked after.

Are you a fun guy? What do you do for fun?

I think I am. I play golf. I’m a 19 handicap but I was 13 at some stage. I travel a lot, I read, go to the movies once in a while, enjoy a glass of wine, a single malt and cigars occasionally.

Are you on Facebook?

(Chuckle) Yes, I am.

What do you do there, Like other people’s pictures?

I do nothing, I never post, other than look at what my son and daughters are up to. (Laughs).