Raymond Karam – Super-Community-Man
NAME: Raymond Karam
AGE: 42 LOCATION: Ballina, Australia Business Owner Nourish Bulk, Belle General and Belle Central, father and family man I have always loved my name ever since I was very little. I remember being really proud to say my own name to people. I would say my name and look at their faces and when they repeated my name back it always brought a smile to my face. From young I loved that people remembered my name and I could see that people also loved when I remembered theirs. This is something I always try and do, remember people’s names, and when I see them I can see how it touches them just like it touches me.
When I was growing up I remember telling my parents that I wanted to meet everyone in the world. At first this was just our street, then it was school, then the town we lived and now, well it is pretty much everyone, everywhere I go.
When I go around town I’m always looking at people and I’m always amazed at how many people I actually don’t know, my children feel the opposite and turn to me with smiles and say “Dad you know everyone”. I love how they think and I see there is always more people to know and I really enjoy meeting people and finding out more about them.
This is not for me or for business this is because I genuinely care about everyone I meet. Yes that’s right everyone one I meet and further everyone I see I care about. Why you may ask? Because this is how I’m built, I was like this from young and now I am living my childhood dream of knowing and caring about the many people and many lives I come in contact with.
Most may say this isn’t possible, but like with anything there needs to be a balance, so equally this would have to be possible and I guess you will have to stay tuned to see which it will be. But I will say I am dedicated, strong, determined and at only 42 years young have already made a great start.
When I was younger a lot of my dreams were around helping and saving people, like a super hero. Whatever was wrong I would be there always to make it right. At times the dreams were about actually saving people but sometimes it was just about being with them, beside them.
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Little did I know that these younger qualities and dreams would translate to a part of how I am today. No I don’t mean wearing tights or capes, but qualities that support and give me an ability to seem like ‘I’m always there’. These weren’t given to me by someone nor were they shaped by a peer group or family, these were there from very young and are a part of how I was made. You could say these are part of the qualities I am here to bring to others.
So how does all this look as the man I am today?
You can’t pin me to a group or part of the community as I enjoy and know people all over a wide-ranging area.
I own and work in 4 growing, dynamic and very successful local businesses that service the community and interact with the public constantly in different areas. I am the Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce and have regular meetings in the community. I have 5 young children ranging in ages from 12 to 5 years and work upwards of 60 hours every week as well as working in several volunteer roles. I am currently 42 years old and attend the gym regularly and am described by many of my long -term friends as being in the best shape they have ever seen me, which is consistent to how I feel.
To many people I am a valued friend and whenever I am needed I support them with a deep care. By choice I don’t drink alcohol or caffeine and instead rely upon a solid daily routine with a balance of sleep, a supportive diet and great relationships.
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The more I work the better it is but it’s not work for money or security, it’s work for people, in and around them and from there I grow, we all grow, together.