- Can you explain briefly how your company came about (team, origins and project originality)?
My entrepreneurial experience started in January 2009. I was just handing in a dissertation on choosing and applying a strategy for start-up entrepreneurship. I applied that strategy in August 2009 when I set up a “traditional” removals company as a limited liability operation. Very quickly, beyond selling traditional removal services, my ambition was to find ways to stand out in a highly competitive and closed market. I had to innovate! Three years later the company had ex-tax revenue of more than €1 million and a staff of 16.
Then I realised that e-commerce had not yet arrived in the removals business. So how could we dust off the ageing and often negative image of movers? The answer was to offer consumers a service that is simple and transparent.
Based on the development of e-commerce platforms, online comparison websites and services like Uber and Airbnb, we were drawn to the idea of a removals comparison service.
In October 2015 we launched the first removals comparison website in France, a start-up financed and supported by the group that owns the Demeco brand. We have already conducted more than 500 removals across France. The network includes 121 partner agencies. As well as the online sale of removal services, we would like to develop a “collaborative” offer to make professional services accessible to anyone moving house.
-What is your assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?
That you can’t get everything right first time round! Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, but you learn from your mistakes and that helps you to improve your services. Of course you are full of energy and ideas, which you have to learn to channel and streamline. You also have lots of enthusiasm and encourage those around you who would like to get into entrepreneurship!
-Have you ever benefited from the network of EDHEC graduates?
Not yet, but some of my close friends are former students. We regularly discuss each other’s careers. We encourage and advise one another.
- What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Go for it, take the plunge! Don’t be afraid! With the right idea, the right concept, a good team and a solid project, you can limit the risks. Look for advice, talk to your family and friends. If you don’t go for it, you’ll regret it when the idea you came up with 3 years ago enjoys massive success! But above all be patient. Success takes time. Don’t expect Google to offer you millions for your company a week after its launch. Unless you really have a good idea!
- What’s next for you? Any new projects?
Almost a year after the launch, we have already conducted 500 removals. We are hoping to do 1,500 in 2017. We are going to increase the number of our partners to 140 or 150. The idea is to be able to offer a real comparison across France.
Other more confidential projects are ongoing, in particular involving national brands, as in the past with GMF and ENGIE. We will be expanding our services offer with the launch of a new online booking platform in the beginning of 2017.
-What are your expectations from the community of EDHEC graduates (fundraising, looking for staff, partners, advice, etc.)?
Good advice is invaluable if you want to get ahead. I would welcome any advice or feedback from graduates who are currently involved or have already had this kind of experience. Naturally, I can also offer advice to future entrepreneurs.
We are also interested in developing partnerships with companies that could suggest our comparison services, for example in the case of company transfers. So yes, we are also open to professional opportunities.
- More info: website, contact details, links to social networks...
https://www.facebook.com/Emoovz/
Office: 11 allée Nicéphore Niepce, 94300 Vincennes
Gaëtan Musschoot 06 99 37 24 68
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