By Niall O’Gorman, interviewing Rory O’Connor Founder & CEO of @Scurri. an Irish startup founded in 2010 which specialises in delivery management for online merchants.
Rory is an entrepreneur who likes to create and build things that make a difference. With @Scurri he’s using technology to make eCommerce delivery awesome for everyone! He loves the outdoors, surfing, triathlon and hillwalking, and lives in Wexford, Ireland. Scurri’s platform is used by multi-channel merchants, such as Zara, ASOS, MissGuided to improve their customer delivery propositions via delivery partners like Royal Mail, UPS, Hermes, TNT, DHL, Yodel, DPD and more.
When was Scurri founded? How did you get the idea?
The business name is Scurri, it was founded at the end of 2010, I am a lone founder and the business idea emerged from a slightly different business model that wast the original idea for the company.
What does your business/startup do? Who is your typical customer?
Scurri removes the friction from managing deliveries for eCommerce Merchants, our typical customers are eCommerce merchants selling physical goods online who want to give their customers the best delivery experience possible.
Where is your startup located and how many people work there?
We are HQ’d in Wexford town in Ireland where we have 23 people employed today but entering an expansion phase now which is great.
How was your startup/business originally funded, how are you funded now and how does your startup/business make money?
I put up the initial capital to get us going, an ex-colleague soon joined me on the adventure and then we raised investment from a number of angels and a small amount of funding from enterprise Ireland. We then raised funds from VC’s as we got more traction.
Were you ever close to failure? How did you recover?
Yes many times, on a couple of occasions we had a few days cash in the bank. Persistence and flexibility with a bit of luck thrown in is key.
What’s the biggest challenge your startup/business faces today?
One of the key challenges is finding talent, particularly engineering talent.
What is your background? What brought you to a life in business/startups?
I originally worked in Waterford Crystal when I got a great grounding in business, marketing and sales. I also broadened my education there. I didn’t realise it for a while but I think I always destined to run my own business. I worked as a freelance consultant for a while but I really wanted to create something too.
What gets you up in the morning and keeps you up at night?
The excitement of what the day will bring gets me up and by the time the day is done (late at night) I sleep soundly.
What is your best and worst character trait?
My best trait is I am persistent and willing to put the miles in, my worst trait is I can be impatient and unreasonable (don’t take no for an answer)
Are you striking a work / life balance? If so, what’s your secret?
I don’t see the difference between work and life, I don’t see what I do as a job and I think that is the secret.
The latest Scurri marketing features Lego, so what’s your figure look like?
Why simple it’s ‘President Business’ of course!
When things are going crazy, how do you unwind?
Do a bit more, nothing like the feeling of completing something.
What’s the last book or movie you’ve read/seen?
The last book was Venture Deals and the last movie was the new Star wars.
What’s the most played song in your itunes / spotify
AC/DC Thunderstruck – my kids love it too!
We must be of a similar vintage, that’s one of my favourites also!
What’s your favourite gadget and why?
My iPhone, what can it not do?
What’s the one thing you wish you had known before you created your business/startup?
A lot more about finance, it’s so important.
What’s next for Scurri?
International expansion
Thank you for taking the time today Rory, congratulations on the progress and best of luck with the expansion plans in 2016 and beyond
Thank you Niall, it’s been my pleasure.
Interview by Niall O Gorman Co-Founder & CSO at ChannelSight
#FounderStories simply a series of conversations with founders that I meet on my travels, have worked with in the past or simply find what they do interesting. These posts do not represent the views of any employer or any business that I am affiliated with.
If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at Simon@IrishTechNews.net or on Twitter: @SimonCocking
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