Logistics consultancy company caters to small-scale businesses

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing the logistic needs of small-scale businesses which may have been overlooked by large firms, a woman entrepreneur took the risk of putting up a logistics consultancy company and has been raking in profits in the first few months of operations.

Flory May Plaza-Bollozos, 34, noted that although logistics seem to be a booming industry, new entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses lack support in terms of evaluating and understanding their requirements for the movement of their goods and services.

“These businesses need someone who will guide them all throughout their transactions and at the same time help them connect to various service providers,” she said.

There she founded Kargadoor Logistics Consultancy Services which aims to cater to the transporting needs of small companies and economic zones not being attended by large service providers.

Sticking to the original concept of being a “kargador” which means a porter or baggage carrier in vernacular, Kargadoor was derived from the creative fusion of words “karga” which means to carry and “door” to mean door-to-door shipment.

Bollozos believed that Kargadoor is the first logistic consultancy firm in the country.

The company provides external consultancy or fourth party logistics solutions and free consultancy services to all scale clients in their selection of a  third party logistics provider on furniture, accessories, dangerous goods, fast-moving cargoes, surplus, semi-conductors, and electronics among others.

Its service types range from international and domestic shipment via air and sea, brokerage, trucking, warehousing and messengerial.

Kargadoor intends to be flexible in meeting client expectations by providing customized and hassle-free service along with constant monitoring of shipments, daily feedback to customers on the status of their shipments, and proactive resolution of issues when problems strike.

Bollozos cited that her company provides analyses and recommendations to the clients until the latter declares it to be official.

“As an exclusive client of Kargadoor, we make sure that rates submitted in response to the request of quotations from our clients are properly laid out and presented in such a manner that they will be able to choose among various service providers,” she explained.

While admitting that the logistics industry is a lucrative business given there is a shipment happening every day, she said that a consultancy firm may not have high yields but one could take advantage to penetrate the huge market.

She added that since the initial investment for a service firm is minimal, the company has easily achieved its return of investment.

Bollozos was previously employed in Airfreight 2100, Inc., a logistics company that is a global service partner and sole licensee of Federal Express (FedEx) Corporation in the Philippines.

Although she doesn’t have any background in the industry when she started, she strived to do self-study backed up with the mentorship and support from Alberto Lina, the chairman of the Lina Group of Companies.

“Learning with him had always been so easy.  Whenever he has a chance to visit Cebu, I would always find myself learning new things in the industry.  He inspires me to learn more and explore the world of logistics. He has this passion to help and enrich the knowledge of his people,” she stated.

Lina’s unselfish guidance and the constant support from her family, according to Bollozos, added to her courage to master the art of doing a logistics business.

Bollozos graduated Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of San Carlos. She was 26 years old when she started as a businesswoman. She experienced venturing into the financial market, currency and website development.

From a network of clients and two business partners, the workaholic Bollozos perseveres to establish a name in the industry on her own, clarifying that she does not compete with the companies she was previously connected with.

To date, Kargadoor has 30 regular clients, three regular affiliates and seven employees.

“I learn to love the industry and I love dealing with people. We don’t pirate clients, we find and generate our own,” she told The FREEMAN.

The company had its soft opening last January of this year and will have its formal launching on June.

Bollozos further revealed that she is eyeing to expand Kargadoor’s services in major cities in the country such as Manila, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

She also plans to venture into trucking and hauling services within this year and hopes to have her own forwarding company soon.

The company shall also introduce the Bill-Mo-Ako service that will offer billing delivery services within the key areas in Cebu.

Moreover, they will launch its website, www.kargadoorlcs.com, earlier next month. 

Although the local company has adopted globally-recognized standards, Bollozos said that they plan to apply for ISO certification in a few years’ time.

She then advised would-be entrepreneurs not to be afraid in taking risks but rather invest in proper planning instead.

“If you plan, make sure you execute it. Don’t lose your focus. Perseverance is the key,” she said, adding that she is open for other players who may venture into the same industry she is inclined to at present,” she concluded.

Kargadoor’s office is located at Spartan Business Center, second floor Sail Centre Complex, J.L. Briones Street, Cebu City. /JOB (FREEMAN)