In a dynamic environment that involves using milk (a living entity which changes its properties every second), it is quite difficult to handle multitude of variables that crop up quite frequently while production. However, for them, it turned out to be a big business opportunity. She and her husband managed to create a successful empire by selling dairy product inputs to the Americans and Europeans. Besides producing cheese and dairy inputs, the wife and husband team also help other diaries (in the US and Europe) to produce the best of the cheeses and dairy products that these places can offer.

They have been doing this for more than two decades quite successfully. So, when 'Asian Women in Business', a not-for-profit membership organization, decided to present ‘The 2002 Asian Women Leadership Awards’, it could not ignore her. For Syama M. Reddy, the only Indian American who received that award this year, her commitment towards building successful businesses is once again being recognized. And applauded.

Syama Reddy immigrated to the US way back in 1972. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from the Iowa State University. Her husband, Dr. Mali Reddy Srinivasulu Reddy, is a doctor in veterinary medicine. He also studied in the Iowa State University. After graduation, he went to work with ‘Leprino Cheese Co’. Even as she started practicing as a dietician, she and her husband started a real estate investment company ‘Reddy Properties’ in 1975. In 1980, Syama and her husband started the American Dairy and Food Consulting Labs, Inc. (ADFAC). Syama is the Vice President, Secretary and the Treasurer for ADFAC.

Later in 1981, they started International Media and Cultures, Inc. (IMAC), as a small company of three employees in a tiny building. IMAC produces cultures, starter media and anti-caking products. These products are supplied to cheese, diary and food manufacturers worldwide. Due to committment to research and development, IMAC has managed to file up many a patent, year after year, in the US and internationally, in the diary industry arena. Currently, IMAC has more than 100 patents on diary and food products.

IMAC also produces biotechnology based homeopathic pharmaceuticals. These are ideal answers for many a human malady that the allopathic medicine is failing to provide a solution. IMAC’s strength does not stop at producing finer cheeses; the company helps others in maximizing their output. It does this by proferring consulting and technical services in the arena of cheese making, milk preparation / standardization, storage and pollution control techniques. IMAC also teaches starter courses on dairy fundamentals and techniques. IMAC has grown out to be a multinational operating eleven production and research facilities worldwide. In, 1992, Syama and her husband have started Accel Travels.

Today, the group’s turnover from Reddy Properties, ADFAC, IMAC and Accel Travels, is reckoned to be US$ 9 million. The group’s asset base is reckoned to be US $ 300 million.

Besides taking care of the group’s business activities, Syama is a Trustee of the American Telugu Association. She is also an Executive Committee Member of the Colorado India Association. Along with Women’s Forum in India, she is planning to build an orphanage. During 1998, she received ‘the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ from the American Telugu Association. The Delhi Academy has presented ‘the Entrepreneur of the World Award’ in 1999.

Syama Reddy