Laban Roomes Bio
Laban Roomes is a highly acclaimed entrepreneur, visionary business leader, and founder of the international luxury gold gifts and customization company Goldgenie.
Laban is a pioneer in leveraging emerging technologies to revolutionize industries.
Born 1969 and raised in East London to parents of Jamaican descent, Laban was single-handedly raised by his mother. From a young age, he demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial drive and an unwavering commitment to success. By the age of nine, he had already started his own business ventures, offering car cleaning services, cutting hedges, and taking on any opportunity to generate income. His sharp business acumen and resourcefulness were evident early on, as he sought to provide financial support for his mother while also fuelling his own aspirations of wealth creation.
By the age of twelve, Laban was earning more from his entrepreneurial pursuits than his mother did in her full-time job. At nineteen, he achieved the remarkable milestone of paying off the mortgage on his family’s home and had established an international business exporting Russian Lada Rivas to Jamaica.
Laban’s journey was not without challenges. While running his car export business in Jamaica, unexpected family circumstances led to liquidation of his enterprise. Returning to the UK with only £80 and no immediate business prospects, he faced one of the most defining periods of his life.
These challenging times refined his resilience, strategic thinking, and business instincts. Determined to rebuild, Laban worked tirelessly on an entrepreneurial vision that had struck him during his experiences abroad.
In 1995, he founded Goldgenie, an enterprise that would redefine the luxury customization industry.
Goldgenie – The First Company to Customize Mobile Phones
Laban designed and developed an innovative gold-plating process that remains at the core of Goldgenie’s work today. Goldgenie made history as the first company in the world to customize mobile phones, starting with the Nokia 8800 and later the iconic Apple iPhone, which Laban himself was the first to customize using his revolutionary GPRO 900 gold plating system. This groundbreaking innovation established Goldgenie as a pioneer in luxury technology customization.
His breakthrough attracted high-profile clients, including Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Honda, Toyota, and Lexus, all of whom adopted Goldgenie as their go-to provider for luxury vehicle customization of car emblems, and interior aesthetic enhancements, in 24k Gold.
As Goldgenie’s reputation grew, so did its reach. Laban expanded its scope to include telecommunications, jewellery, sports equipment, and high-end home hardware. His pioneering techniques not only saved suppliers significant costs but also ensured superior quality, solidifying Goldgenie’s reputation in the luxury market. His innovative approach caught the attention of Hollywood, leading to Goldgenie’s products being featured at the 2005 Emmy Awards. He also secured exclusive rights to gold-plate Hindu artifacts for a prominent London temple, further enhancing his business’s prestige.
Dragons’ Den – James Caan’s First Televised Investment
In October 2007, Laban pitched Goldgenie’s gold-plating technology and market success live on the BBC’s renowned investment program, Dragons’ Den. His compelling presentation secured investment from James Caan, marking Caan’s first-ever televised investment on the show.
James Caan, the founder of Alexander Mann, Humana International, and Hamilton Bradshaw, provided not only financial backing but also invaluable mentorship. However, in 2012, Laban made a bold move to regain full control of Goldgenie by buying back all of Caan’s shares, once again becoming the sole owner of the business.
Celebrities & Charity Work
Goldgenie quickly became the gold customization brand of choice for celebrities and high-profile clients. Laban personally supplied luxury gifts at the Oscars and created bespoke iPods and 24k gold luxury iPhones for an elite clientele, including David and Victoria Beckham, Floyd Mayweather, Usain Bolt, Mark Wahlberg, Clint Eastwood, and Will Smith, among many others.
Beyond business, Laban has been dedicated to philanthropy, launching initiatives to support charitable organizations such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), the Teenage Cancer Trust, and SOS Children’s Villages. Through Goldgenie, a percentage of luxury gift sales has been donated to these causes, reinforcing his commitment to social impact.
Marigold Projects Jamaica
A Lucrative Investment
Laban was also a co-founder of Marigold Projects Jamaica, a pioneering medical marijuana enterprise. The company gained significant traction and later sold 49% of its shares to the publicly traded Canadian company, Aphria, for an estimated US $80 million. Laban received an undisclosed amount from the proceeds, marking yet another successful venture in his investment portfolio.
XRP Healthcare
From $0 to $194 Million in 3 Months
Expanding his entrepreneurial vision beyond luxury, Laban co-founded XRP Healthcare alongside his son, Kain Roomes. XRP Healthcare is the first pharmaceutical and healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger, designed to revolutionize the industry through blockchain and AI-driven solutions. Remarkably, within just three months of its launch, XRP Healthcare achieved a staggering valuation of $194 million.
Incorporated in Dubai, UAE, XRP Healthcare is at the forefront of merging digital innovation with healthcare accessibility. As Chief Operating Officer (COO), Laban leads the company’s strategic initiatives, overseeing the acquisition of pharmacies and healthcare centres in Uganda, Africa. The enterprise aims to enhance healthcare delivery by integrating cutting-edge financial engineering, AI-based analytics, and decentralized payment systems to streamline operations and improve patient access to quality medical services.
Laban’s expertise in international business expansion, coupled with his track record of scaling disruptive ventures, has positioned XRP Healthcare as a trailblazer in the healthcare sector. By leveraging blockchain technology, XRP Healthcare is fostering a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive healthcare ecosystem across Africa.
God, Mentors & Comic Book Heroes
Laban attributes much of his success to faith, perseverance, and the invaluable mentorship he has received throughout his life. He credits his mother with instilling in him the belief that anything is possible with intention and purpose. Laban has always sought mentors—both real and fictional—to inspire and guide him. Among his childhood inspirations is the Marvel comic book hero, the Silver Surfer, a character renowned for his unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of his mission.
Laban firmly believes that mentorship is key to unlocking one’s full potential, stating, “Not everyone has the willpower to consistently inspire themselves. Everyone needs at least one person who believes in them—someone who can help them realize their true capabilities.”
A Legacy of Innovation & Impact
Today, Laban Roomes divides his time between Jamaica, Miami, Dubai, and Africa, managing his diverse business interests. With Goldgenie and XRP Healthcare both headquartered in Dubai, Laban continues to drive innovation across multiple sectors. Goldgenie, now managed by his Dubai based team, remains the gold standard in luxury customization, while XRP Healthcare is transforming the healthcare landscape in Africa and beyond.
Laban’s journey from humble beginnings to international success serves as a testament to resilience, innovation, the power of a clear vision and to manifest it—qualities that continue to drive him as he builds innovative businesses, and inspires the next generation of business leaders.