I hope you’re all having a fantastic start to 2018. I’m really excited for the year ahead, especially when it comes to Behind the Biz. Throughout 2017 I shared over 40 interviews with inspiring founders. I’m so proud to be able to support indie businesses here on Prettygreentea.
I want to kick-off the new year with a fresh series of Behind the Biz. I have some exciting interviews lined-up and you can also expect to find audio versions over on my new podcast.
Today I’m talking to serial entrepreneur Shelim Hussain the founder of Kukd.com – a place to discover and order from local take-aways and restaurants.
Where did the inspiration for Kukd come from?
Major online takeaway ordering companies were killing the British takeaway industry with hefty charges and large payment arrears. Because of this, it became my passion to create an alternative that helped support British takeaways by giving them back the freedom they deserve.
Kukd.com does not charge the types of fees that others do. Our fees are capped at just £75 per week. Additionally, our payment turnaround time is just 7 days, whereas historically others have taken up to 3 weeks. This saw takeaways and restaurants struggle to immediately order the produce they needed in order for the business to continue operations.
How did you decide upon the name of your business?
Kukd is a simple play on the word ‘cooked’.
What did you do before starting Kukd?
In addition to Kukd.com, I oversee a number of other ventures including Euro Foods, Masala Bazaar and Caterers Depot. Euro Foods was launched in 1993 and has been the basis of most of what I do since then.
Did you always plan to set up your own business?
Since I was 6 years old, I was selling food to my bigger family. When I was 17, I heard of a prawn supplier that had gone out of business. Spotting a gap in the market, I travelled to London with six boxes of prawns and sold them on to the local businesses. The business grew from there and within 10 years, Euro Foods Group had a turnover over £40 million.
What has been the biggest challenge in running your business so far?
The greatest challenge has been finding IT professionals that are able to deliver on their promises. It takes time to build a strong work force.
What has been the highlight of your business journey to date?
Giving freedom back to the takeaway industry has been a major highlight to date. Other companies in the online takeaway ordering industry have followed suit by reducing their payment turnaround times.
The whole purpose of Kukd.com was to give back to the takeaway industry, and if the work we do can help to change the online takeaway ordering industry as a whole, then that’s a victory in itself.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Whatever dreams you have pursue them. If you make plans, make backup plans. If you work hard, you will succeed.
Where do you hope to take your business in 2018?
9 out of 10 IT start-ups fail within the first 3 years. Kukd.com was launched in 2015 and in 2018 we will be a profitable company. That is the biggest milestone for the next year.
I loved finding out about Shelim’s inspiring business journey which started when he was just 6 years old. A true entrepreneur. I know I’ll be giving Kukd a try next time I order a takeaway.
I particularly like that the inspiration for Kukd was born to support and champion British takeaways. I think it’s very important to support indie businesses. Kukd has not only shown support and helped indie takeaways to grow but they’ve also set a trend within the industry to give takeaways a shorter payment turn-around time.
I hope you enjoy today’s interview, don’t forget to share it with your friends!
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