Founding Buytrendy: 3 Vital Lessons in Scalability, Hiring, and Trust

Many years ago, I embarked on the journey of founding a company called Buytrendy.

Buytrendy functioned as an influencer marketplace, where we showcased clothing that influencers no longer wanted and facilitated its sale.

From this venture, three pivotal learnings emerged, centering around scalability, hiring practices, and trust.

1. Scalability: One of the fundamental lessons was recognizing the importance of having a model that could be swiftly replicated in various markets. In our case, we operated out of an office in Barcelona, holding inventory of influencers' clothing. When contemplating expansion to another location, such as London, we grappled with questions regarding operational logistics. Should the headquarters remain in Barcelona, or should we establish a new office in London to cater specifically to local influencers?

2. Hiring Practices: As a startup, financial resources were limited, despite a couple of modest investment rounds. The significance of astute hiring decisions became evident, as inadequate staffing could rapidly deplete available funds without yielding favorable outcomes.

3. Trust in the Model: The third critical learning pertained to having confidence in our business model. In the initial stages, in an effort to attract more influencers, we charged a disproportionately low percentage on sales. Over time, however, it became evident that the value of our service warranted a higher commission. It highlighted the importance of maintaining faith in the service provided and the overall business model. So, if your initial calculations and strategy suggest a 40% commission on sales, resist the temptation to undercut yourself by offering, for instance, a 20% rate. Have confidence in the service you provide and the viability of your business model.