Tention Free: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your background, education, your passion etc. ??
I am Amila Gamage, a Civil Engineering graduate and I have experience of more than 17 years in construction industry as a Civil Engineer and as a Quantity Surveyor.
I am a Sri Lankan and currently residing in Singapore.
After working in full time employment, I decided to launch Sihela Consultants to offer my services for construction companies. As a result Sihela Consultants was founded in 2017.
Further I also conduct workshops and training courses related to contract administration.
Tention Free: Can you please let us know more about Sihela Consultants?
Sihela Consultants is a Singapore based business which we offer Quantity takeoff and contract administration services for construction companies. We offer our services for both small scale and large scale construction projects. Quantity Takeoff services are offered to companies worldwide.
Be it a tendering project or ongoing project,construction companies can contact us for these services.
At Sihela Consultants we also offer consultancy services related to contract administration. This service is more helpful for subcontractors and small construction companies which they don’t have full time staff.
Other than above we also offer training courses relevant to construction contract administration and quantity surveying.
Tention Free: What has been one of the most exciting achievements of your career so far ?
My career as a civil engineer was always exciting. In each project I gained lot of experiences on how to manage a project.As you asked me about the most exciting achievement of my career, I would say it is the launch of Sihela Consultants.
When I started working in my first job I never thought of having my own consultancy firm.However with the experience gained by working in different projects I wanted to have my own business than working as an employee.
Finally it became a reality.
Helping other construction companies to solve their issues in contract administration and cost management is one of the achievements in my career than serving one company as a full time employee.
Tention Free: What’s your goal in life you want to achieve next as the Founder of Sihela Consultants?
I am looking for ways to expand Sihela Consultant’s services to reach more clients. I want to see Sihela Consultants as a company that people likes to talk about. This can be reached only by delivering services with professionalism and trustworthiness.
Tention Free: What motivates you to do your best work as a Trainer?
I am always happy when the participants say the delivered course is helpful for them. When they learn something new it makes me happy and motivates me to make the next training session more engaging and useful.
As a trainer I deliver workshops and courses related to construction contract administration.Most of the participants are adults and industry professionals. When I conduct training sessions I also have a good chance to learn from them.These active learning sessions are always interesting.
Tention Free: Why do you think Sihela Consultants is best for construction companies ?
Well, in Sihela Consultants we offer quantity surveying services for construction companies worldwide. Therefore any construction company around the world can get our services.
Further, small companies who do not employ full time quantity surveyors can benefit from our services. With a team of well experienced professionals, companies can request the necessary services without hiring a Quantity Surveyor full time. This is a cost effective way for such companies.
And don’t forget, we are capable of working independently without supervision. Contractors do not have the burden of training their QS staff or answering all the doubts they might have when they outsource the services.
Tention Free: Any tips for other female entrepreneurs?
If you want to be an entrepreneur, don’t waste time thinking. Start planning for it.Create a proper business plan and achieve your goals.
It is also important to network.Know what you are offering and learn the new skills.
Don’t be afraid of the challenges in front of you.Be courageous and start achieving your goals.
You will be successful as a female entrepreneur!
Tention Free: Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?
I love reading if I am at home. Otherwise traveling is one of the things I love during the holidays.
Tention Free: How can people find you and follow you online?
Anyone can check our services by visiting the website www.sihelaconsultants.com
You can also connect with me in LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/amilawickramarachchi
