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CAR rental comparison company Vroomvroomvroom has shifted gear in 2010 through cost-cutting measures and a new website, with 18,500 bookings in September alone.
David Eastes (pictured left) says the company’s ‘silly name’ works in its favour, but the business now aims for a more professional approach with a focus on increased efficiency.
“I feel like we’re getting more serious than last year, more focused than before. We updated our website because we had feedback it was a bit amateurish, too cartoonish,” he says.
“At one stage we had 11 staff in the office, whereas we only had three before, but it became difficult with some personalities clashing and that sort of thing. As the business grows you tend to spend time on things that you don’t really want to be, but that’s the way it goes.
“This year we changed everything in the team and we’re down to six staff now. We had to say goodbye to some and some found work in other areas and we felt we didn’t have to replace them.”
As the business continues on its growth trajectory, Eastes refuses to be consumed by his work.
“I think it’s very important to not let business, work or stress control your life, so I am very focused on enjoying the simple things away from work as well, like running, adventure sports, kite surfing and camping,” he says.
Vroomvroomvroom is co-owned by Peter Thornton and Richard Eastes (pictured right), who was involved in several businesses before Vroomvroomvroom. He says points out that around 90 per cent of new business ventures fail.
“One failure was to start a computer retail chain with a subscription model instead of outright. Another success was a car insurance information millionwebsite that sold recently and the latest is RoadTripMania.com, which helps travellers who know that road trips are the best way to see an area,” says Eastes.
Eastes cites his core business philosophy as a desire to ‘blow away’ customer expectations, motivating himself by viewing the process as a game.
“I like to win games, so to motivate staff I let them have creative input into their role so that they take ownership, enjoy the work and gain much satisfaction from making a difference,” he says.
For a full profile list on Brisbane’s 2010 Young Entrepreneurs, including interviews with all of the finalists, get a copy of the special annual edition of Brisbane Business News – out now in more than 500 greater Brisbane newsagents.
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