To continue with my coverage of e27 - Sheryl from PetValley.sg was up to present on the startup that she and a partner started. Apparently, the idea was germinated in Silicon Valley where they were interning for the year. Justin mentioned to me that they way Sheryl described it, it was akin to a proposal - “Will you start a company with me?”. Yeah I could imagine her business partner going down on one knee to propose to her heh.
So she started off with that story, and with them starting this company without any work experience, lamented about how some things would have been easier going if they have had experience to teach them. I couldn’t agree more actually - experience is invaluable, and something education can never give to you.
With that, I still felt that PetValley.sg was really old skool - but not in a good way. To be sure, they are providing a service that pet lovers will find invaluable, and should be lauded for that. However, I did feel that they weren’t providing anything innovative in terms of how visitors could interact with other visitors (social network), how easy it is for visitors to interact with the service (UI) or anything like that.
Sheryl also discussed a little around her business model - which was to get advertising from small businesses, Mom & Pop pet shops and suppliers. I could be wrong but that was the impression I got, and I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to speak to Sheryl after her presentation. This strikes me as odd however, but if it does get the cash in, it doesn’t really matter I guess. The advertising industry is convulated, complex and horribly relationship-driven… but she does have a point that if she goes direct to the advertisers, the money would be in easier. However, I do feel she should do something a bit more scalable in terms of revenue source… focusing on a few shops in the neighbourhood without an automated system just isn’t going to bring in the big bucks. Well, at least they don’t seem to be spending oodles of cash like Pet.com - that’s a great start.
However, bravo to them for trying to start something up in the first place. Whatever it is, it still takes guts and young people who jump into it should be lauded (hah I make myself sound so old!).
Sheryl from Petvalley
The Petvalley site
Hi, the name should be Sheryl Chen
Check out her site on the PET WATCH, interesting concept.
Left by Paddy Tan on February 28th, 2006
Oops… So sorry! I got two names wrong! Bak2u seems to be an interesting and novel concept actually - definitely out of the box, and interesting. Alas.. I’m not a pet owner. - Adrian
Left by pallid on March 2nd, 2006
I just love meeting people who is doing what they love.
The internet has been marked by huge unexpected successes: yahoo, craigslist, etc. you name it.
All of them had something that is beyond just trying to make money - the founders really are trying to make the world a better place by solving the problems they themselves face.
I guess it really doesn’t matter how big or how profitable the company grows, having users who love the product is simply satisfaction enough.
Perhaps soon enough the power of evangelists and communities will sweep the company off the ground and take it to an astounding success!
All the best Sheryl!
Left by Darius on March 4th, 2006
[…] Thanks to Adrian Lee, who did a really great wrap-up for our last event at NUS. Will keep those suggestions in mind! Click here. He also has individual analyses of each of the 3 companies that demoed: Bezurk, PetValley,Tencube. […]
Left by Entrepreneur 27 Singapore » Blog Archive » Post-Event Blog Reports on March 6th, 2006
[…] 2. Adrian Lee: The internet geek musician. He has covered the Entrepreneurship 27 event in his blog. He is a internet marketing geek musician. He helps to profile some new companies in the IT, for example, TurboScout, Ten Cube and Pet Valley. […]
Left by Singapore Entrepreneurs » Featuring Blogs of Other Singaporean Entrepreneurs II on May 26th, 2006