Friday, September 12, 2014

Errand boy: "it's not easy to be an entrepreneur, but the effort has compensated"

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On top of a yellow WaSP, a man walks through the streets of Lisbon. Now stop at the pharmacy, now goes to the supermarket. It can also be seen walking dogs and less occasionally driving cars. The description may seem of any inhabitant of Lisbon and of their daily chores. But think again-if this is the errand boy.

Luís Campos is the mentor of the errand boy, project launched at the end of 2012. Louis, of 34 years, graduated in Marketing and advertising in 2002. In the last decade almost always worked as freelancer. In a situation of unemployment has decided to implement a project that was on paper since 2007: create a professional courier service and delivery.

The idea for the business was born of simple actions. "As had some free time, my friends and family sometimes asked me to run errands. They didn't have time and I don't like to be stopped, gave a hand ". The idea was born.

In addition to transporting small orders from one end to another of Lisbon, the busboy comes to every small business you need, whether walking pets, take the animals to the vet, go shopping, go to the pharmacy, take the car to the inspection. All this while the customer is on your job, which makes the accomplishment of these tasks.

A boy and a girl selling time

After almost two years of the launch of the business, the errand boy grew. If at the beginning the service was only provided in the municipalities of Lisbon, now covers the municipalities bordering the capital, as well as the Setúbal peninsula. But the bulk of the service remains in the Centre of Lisbon. And there is no longer just an errand boy, but a boy and a girl, because Luis now has the help of a collaborator, Ana Regional, who joined the project in February this year. And I don't work at home, but in a space.

Luís Campos account that the balance is very positive. "Never in my life felt so accomplished. Have been difficult times because a business requires a lot of dedication. It's not easy to be an entrepreneur, but the effort has paid off, "says the errand boy. "One of my dreams was able to stay in my country and somehow contribute with something. At this point we are already two people on active duty to escape unemployment statistics and performed for doing something they like. "

The growth also has been sustained. "In addition to the regulars, we have an average of 20 new clients emerge every month", reveals Louis. But be errand boy also has its drawbacks. "We have a big barrier is cultural. We're not used to delegate something to people we don't know. Gradually we're getting through this. We bet a lot on creativity to be able to catch people's attention and bring them to trial, "he explains.

Pastéis de Belém delivered to door

In addition to the messages and courier service, the errand boy now has several partnerships. One of them is with Pastéis de Belém. So, if you live in Lisbon may have the mythical pasties delivered to the door whenever you want without having to travel to Bethlehem and wait in queues. But the busboy also with other partners, such as with the bakery do Restelo "the Bald", which allows delivery of croissants and palmiers. Or even with Mr. António, master of works; with iClínica, for repair of smartphones, tablets, and other multimedia devices; with the workshop Creative sewing, sewing services and with Lili Cherry, a flower designer.

"All the US services partnerships are chosen judiciously by the analysis of certain standards. We're recommending and whether clients trust us, will also rely on our partners, "explains Luis.

The errand boy is definitely a project to continue, as stated by his mentor. Future objectives of Louis and Ana will go through the establishment of new partnerships but also the release of errand boy Oeiras. However, the main objective is to take the delivery boy to the port by the end of 2014.



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