My logistics-tech startup story 📦 我的物流速遞創業故事 📦

michelleluilui (52)in #cn • 9 years ago

When I just turned 22, I came back from the world's best startup hub - Silicon Valley, United Staes. I was having a strong urge to bring the most advanced technology back to Hong Kong, for citizens here to experience the impact of tech startups in a city.

當時剛踏入22歲，剛從全球的創業基地—美國矽谷回來🇺🇸，內心難免有一股很大的力量，覺得一定要將創新科技帶到香港，讓大家可以感受科技的美好。

At the same time, I think the journey of running a startup, being an entrepreneur seemingly is a superb career! Everyday I get to explore and try out new things, like a scientist. I can experience the most advanced products daily, just like the outstanding entrepreneurs I met at University of California, Berkeley.

同時，我會覺得創業很好呀！每一天都可以嘗試新的東西，好想科學家一樣！👩‍🔬還可以接觸到最先進的東西！就好像我在加州柏克萊大學所認識的成功創業家一般！

And the best part is definitely the coworking spaces that entrepreneurs get to work at. Usually it is very stylish, very free and cosy. Co-founders get to work very closely without any hierarchy. I am just in love with the flat structure. Thus, in year 4 of my college, I joined the startup team and become one of the co-founders.

最棒最棒的就是有很舒適、富有創業設計的共創空間裡面工作。合夥人之間也可以打打鬧鬧的，沒有什麼老闆的架子。一切一切都很美好，於是我就選擇了在大四的時候，加入了一個創業團隊，成為合夥人之一。

The Wave, Kwun Tong (One of the best coworking spaces in Hong Kong)

在香港的一家共享空間 — The Wave

This is how I started growing my startup PICK-UP. At first, our team realize there is a very special thing about Hong Kong, Hong Kong citizens are just craving to shop online every single day. In one year, Hong Kong e-commerce figure reached US$3715 million. The weird thing comes, Hong Kong logistics solution for e-commerce clients and the delivery speed is exceptionally poor and slow. Just a tiny piece of clothe, it may take 2-3 business days before it arrives to the final destination, even if it is just few kilometers away.

我就是這樣開始發展PICK-UP的故事。我們團隊一開始發現香港有一樣很特別的事情，香港人超級喜歡在網上瘋狂購物。一年香港的網購就達到美金$3715 million。最古怪的事情就來了，可是香港的網購送貨速度可是稱得上異常的慢。。。一件小小的衣服，可是要2-3個工作天才會送到。這是小小的香港耶～

Why is that? Hong Kong is flooded with traditional delivery company, such as Morning Express, SF Express, DHL; all the goods are first sent to a warehouse before they are distributed to different regions. Despite the goods or the warehouse is very close to your home or office address, it may actually be sent to a warehouse very far. The goods will be sitting there for a few days before being redistributed.

為什麼呢？香港全部都是大大少少的傳統物流公司，Morning Express、SF Express、DHL，全部都用收集到倉庫，再派送到不同區的方式。這樣即便妳的貨，出貨的地方與你的家或公司有多麼的近，也絕對有可能被派到比較遠的倉庫，再靜候被派發。

The fact is, Hong Kong compared to countries like United States, China, there is a much more sophisticated and convenient transportation network. You can basically travel to any other districts with just half an hour with MTR and minibus. Another fun fact is that, each day when taking MTR, you will get to see a lot of students, retired healthy uncles and aunties, freelancers, casually striding around, without much to do. With all these, we have set up our business: a 4-hour, door-to-door delivery platform PICK-UP for merchants.

更可怕的是，香港比起超大的美國、中國，其實交通便利的多。地鐵、小巴，全部都能半個小時就從一個區迅速到達另一個區。更神奇的是，每一天搭地鐵的時候就會發現：很多學生、退休的健康叔叔呀姨、自由工作者四處休閒步行，也沒特別事做。於是就成立了商戶專用的4小時點對點速遞平台PICK-UP！

PICK-UP is a Uber model platform, we match merchants' delivery orders to people that have free time. We have created our own merchant portal and delivery dashboard. We allow merchants to preset their warehouse location and providing cash on delivery service. At the same time, we also created a delivery app. We have spent a lot of effort to enhance the delivery experience. We allow filtering of orders' weight and size in their mobile app.

PICK-UP！是一個用Uber模式運行的平台，將商戶的速遞訂單配對到閒置人手。簡單來說，我們研發了一個商戶專用的落單界面。我們可以讓商戶預設出貨地點，還提供貨到付款服務。同時，我們也研發一個手機應用程式，我們投放很多心思去提升我們速遞專員送貨的體驗。我們的手機應用程式可以篩選訂單的重量、大細。

When we first started to operate, we have to largely increase the amount of merchants and delivery agents on our platform. With few months of very tough work, we finally get to onboard some of the renowned e-commerce merchants in Hong Kong. We have the famous craft beer company Young Master 【Young Master】, the snacks e-commerce giant【Lingsik King】, the luggage on-demand rental company【Rent-A-Suitcase】, the biggest flower shop in Hong Kong【Gift Something】.

我們剛開始營運的時候就不斷的增加平台上商戶和速遞專員的數量。經過團隊銷售的努力，我們終於說服香港最大的幾間商戶用我們的服務！有手工啤酒【Young Master】、網購零食的【零食大王】、租用行李箱的【租遊列國】、最大的網購花店和禮品店【Gift Something】。

Below are some advertisement I filmed for PICK-UP and clients, let me show you the shots! Our merchants are very satisfied knowing we enable them to now deliver within 4 hours and it is door-to-door. This completely create a huge breakthrough to many industries.

以下是我一些拍攝PICK-UP和商戶廣告的花絮🎬，給大家看看！商戶超級滿意我們可以幫他們實現4小時的點對點服務，顛覆了酒類、零食行業的運送速遞。

4-hour Flower Delivery

4-hour Craft Beer Delivery

4-hour Snacks Delivery

4-hour Apparel Delivery

Other than finding merchants, it is crucial to find delivery agents. It is because our nature is not hiring them, but they are freelancers that pick jobs they desire to do. Such that they can earn a bit of pocket money before and after work. 💰 We find a lot of students to make our brand younger and more energetic! Did you recognize me from the above and below pictures?

除了招攬商戶，更重要的是招攬速遞人員。因為我們的性質不是要雇用他們，而是他們是自由工作者，自由在平台選擇自己覺得順路的單，可以上下班或有空的時候賺一點錢。💰 我們找了很多年輕的人去塑造一個有活力的感覺！有在以上的照片和以下的照片認出我嗎？

I think in the whole process, one of the challenging part is to design which are the destinations we provide delivery service, our coverage. We have been sketching the area on Google Map for a long period of time, we have to consider whether 4-hour delivery is feasible and whether it will harm our financial positioning if we expand too quickly.

而整個過程中我覺得最有挑戰性的就是設立送貨地點的覆蓋範圍，以下就是畫得好苦的範圍，我們在google map想了好久，因為要考慮到送貨速度能否做到4小時，還有就是會不會虧本。

Our team was most touched during our product showcase at the biggest retail exhibition in Hong Kong - The Hong Kong Retail Asia Expo. We have received overwhelming responses from Sasa, Dyson, Pandora. They all love our brand so much. We even design very eye-catchy red bags for PICK-UP!