What does your company do?
We have developed the most innovative ePOS System for the hospitality and food industry. Traditional ePOS systems only help to make orders and create bills whereas our system does everything you need to efficiently run your business. With the current trends and technologies such as online and mobile ordering ePOS Hybrid allows you to keep up to date and provide a better dining and ordering experience which can help increase customer satisfaction.
What do you do there/what is your role?
I am the founder of the business and also the CEO so I am responsible for all aspects of the business.
What is your background?
I am a Computer Science graduate and have worked in IT consulting for 14 years. I work with small and medium sized enterprises to provide advice on bespoke software applications, web applications, CRM Tools and Internal business software tools. I also have 15 years experience within business management.
What was the aha moment that led to the company founding?
In 2012 my cousin who is also my best friend opened a sports pub in Wales. With it being a new company a lot of family and friends helped him out in the beginning by working with him. When it was busy I would help out by cleaning tables, pouring pints, picking up glasses, things you do when working in a pub. However, he picked up an old ePOS system and was having to keep information on different software such as excel. It wasn’t up to standard and made it difficult to store the information needed to run a business. I thought to myself that I could create something that was easier to use and kept all the information together. In 2016 I decided to start developing this idea and decided to start the company.
Where did you get assistance when you started?
I have a business partner who is a bachelor of Computer Application and has 15 years IT and software experience. Her extensive experience helped a lot as we planned the architect of the company. I also have a few friends who run businesses within the hospitality sector so I spoke to them to understand what they believe are the main problems and what trends really matter to them and their business. This helped me a lot in the designing of the company as it helped me to understand the major problems
Give us a brief history of the growth of the company
Since we began the corporation in May 2016 and developing the app, it took a little longer than expected, however, we launched in January 2019 and we already have 10 clients who have provided great feedback and some have even provided client testimonials about why they love the product so much. We also have 2 clients out with the UK with 1 in Australia and 1 in India which is a huge growth as it shows we are compatible in all markets.
Have you taken any external funding?
No, because it was an idea that I believed in, I invested everything myself, and used all my savings because I really believe this idea has a great future. Yes, I could have gone to investors, however, it is hard to exercise only an idea to someone, at least when you have a business it is easier for investors to see and understand your idea fully to decide if they want to invest or not.
What does it look like now with regard to staff and turnover?
Because we have just launched there isn’t really a turn over. We have hired 3 new non-executive directors and began to form the corporate board. Currently recruiting a sales marketing team, technical support team as well as more sales teams.
What’s the difference between when you started and now in your marketplace?
Trends. Trends change every day, Instagram wasn’t as popular as it is today a couple years ago. We just have to be open-minded and adapt to new trends and technologies, which we love!
What are the USPs that make ePOS Hybrid different from other offerings in the marketplace?
ePOS Hybrid isn’t just for walk in customers. It automates your whole business through a mobile app, web ordering and the other features available all under one system. It is also extremely trendy. Our Digital Menu and Smart Table are the only ones in the UK and it helps to improve customers dining experiences, reduce waiting times and helps improve the business overall
What is your target market – who is buying your product/service
Our main target market is the hospitality sector. Food business in particular, such as restaurants, bars and pubs, coffee shops, takeaways, bakeries, pizza houses, food courts and buffet restaurants.
What are your goals for your business?
In June 2019 will be starting a crowd funding campaign. I want to continue to expand our team here in Scotland and build a great company with talented employees. The plan by 2020 is to hopefully expand to America and India as I believe this is a great opportunity and there is space in the market for us to make a great impact. Finally, 2023 we hope to be a listed company in alternative markets and have customers around the world.
What are your biggest current challenges?
Currently our biggest challenge is to build the brand name. Because we have just launched we need to get word out there to businesses about the excellent product we have created and make sure the market is aware of the benefits of ePOS Hybrid. Nonetheless, we welcome the challenges and have began to create digital marketing and social media campaigns in the hopes of getting our name out there.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
At the beginning everything was a challenge. However, R&D (Research and Development) challenged us every day. Because it is a cloud based application with many features and different devices doing separate things it was difficult to try and get them all connected making sure all information was in the same place with data being on time.
Another challenge was making sure the cloud data was secure and all GDPR was regulated. We overcame this through using encryption technologies that makes sure all sensitive data is safely secured.
Finally, because of software is cloud based we had to find out a way in which the system would still work if there was no internet. We managed to overcome this by using ‘NASERVER’ which is local server technology. This means that is the businesses Wi-Fi has gone down or has been down for a week our ePOS system will still work to its full potential.
What do you do outside of work?
So I am a pilot. I love to fly aircrafts and whenever I have time I like to go for a little fly. I also enjoy spending time with my family.
What do you know now that you wished you had known earlier?
I wish I had thought about the idea back in 2004 when I began my career so I could have had more time to develop and get this great idea into the market sooner
What’s the secret to good leadership?
There is no secret. Good leaders always inspire their team or people with great ideas. I just try to explain my ambition and my vision to the team. I’m always open about the direction I want to go and try to explain to my team so they understand why I wish to go in that direction
Where do you see the company in five years?
I hope that in five years time we are settled in the market. With multiple clients within US, Canada, Australia, India and of course the UK. We want to be listed in the stock market
How can the Scottish startup/entrepreneur landscape be improved to help more business start up and grow?
More mentors to help guide new start ups or people who want to start a new business. Most people want to start a new company but don’t know where to begin so more advice and guidance to help them flourish could potentially help alot
Can you give us some numbers? Turnover, growth rate, etc
Our aim is to have 500 new paying clients and around 2000 free subscription clients by March 2020
