Follow Alexander Sapov
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Alexander Sapov, and I am the co-founder and CEO of GetTransfer.com. From a young age, I developed a passion for information technology, which has stayed with me throughout my career.
I pursued studies in economics and conducted research at an economics think tank, which gave me a deep understanding of how global economic systems operate.
My experience in the financial industry equipped me with diverse analytical skills and knowledge of marketing and sales, while my work with venture investments gave me a valuable understanding of the modern economy.
My love for travel has allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills in this area and to create a platform that streamlines the process of booking private transfers and ground transportation services.
I am constantly striving to innovate and improve the travel industry together with GetTransfer.com by leveraging the latest technology and insights.
What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?
Being an entrepreneur has taught me many valuable lessons, including the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, taking calculated risks to drive growth, being adaptable to changing circumstances, and building strong relationships with customers, partners, and employees.
These lessons have helped me navigate the ups and downs of the business world and have been essential to the success of my business.
I am forever grateful for every challenge I have faced and all people I have met during my entrepreneurial journey. Especially and separately, it is always important to understand that entrepreneurship cannot be done alone, and having strong partners is a prerequisite for the success of any serious business.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
If I could go back in time to when I first started my business, the advice I would give myself is to focus on building a strong team from the very beginning.
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running the business and overlook the importance of hiring the right people. However, having a team that shares your vision and is committed to the success of the business is essential for long-term success.
I would also advise myself to be more patient and not get too caught up in the short-term ups and downs of the business. Building a successful business takes time, and it’s important to focus on the big picture and not get bogged down by temporary setbacks or obstacles.
A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?
Balancing work and personal life is definitely a challenge for many entrepreneurs, and I am no exception.
However, over time, I have learned some strategies that have helped me achieve a better balance. Prioritizing self-care and wellness activities and delegating tasks whenever possible are the key factors to achieving the balance.
There are a lot of ways to find the balance we all need, but the most important thing is that it is up only to you and no one else.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
The inspiration behind our business was the desire to create a solution to a common problem that I and many other tourists had experienced.
As someone who loves to travel and explore new places, I often found it frustrating to find reliable and affordable transfer options when visiting different countries. Many of the existing services were either too expensive or unreliable, and I felt that there was a gap in the market for a better solution.
As a result, now we can find GetTransfer.com’s partners and clients in over 150 countries all over the globe.
What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?
Our magic sauce is the variety of options and personalized features that we offer at GetTransfer.com. We understand that every customer has different needs and preferences, and we strive to cater to those needs through our different tariffs, VIP status, and the “diamond selection.”
Our cancellation tariffs give our customers the flexibility to change their plans without losing money, while our VIP status provides them with dedicated support and care throughout their journey.
The diamond selection, tailored for luxury and demanding clients, ensures that they ride in the newest and well-maintained cars. Additionally, our VIP concierge feature guarantees complete peace of mind for top executives and business class passengers who require the highest standard of service.
We believe that these personalized features set us apart from our competitors and make us stand out in the transportation industry.
How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?
We’re thrilled with our sales performance so far. By focusing on maximizing revenue per sale, we are observing consistent monthly growth. To other founders in the same market just starting out, I would recommend an agile approach to testing various sales channels and hypotheses.
Identify what’s working, and focus on scaling those efforts. It’s also crucial to leverage mutually beneficial partnerships and prioritize the development of SEO and B2B for sustained growth.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge has been streamlining and optimizing our sales process. To tackle this, we’ve implemented a digital transformation across all sales actions, resulting in over 30 performance indicators in our sales funnel.
We’ve honed in on the key indicator that has the most direct impact on our results and is continuously working to enhance it each month.By prioritizing transparency and manageability, we’ve been able to make significant strides in our sales performance.
🗺️ Fundraising is always a challenging part of the startup journey. Do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs in your country who are trying to raise funding?
My advice is to focus on building a strong network and personal relationships with potential investors, as well as having a solid business plan and pitch. Networking is the king here! It’s important to do your research on investors and make sure your goals align.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek advice and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and utilize resources such as accelerators and incubators. Finally, your personal perseverance and resilience are key in navigating the fundraising process.
🗺️ Does your government provide support to startups in your country? Could they be doing more? Have you benefited from it?
We are a Cyprus company, and the Cyprus government assists a lot with advisory on all aspects, from employment to taxation.
🗺️ Have you found more success selling internationally or locally? Would you advise others to follow the same approach as you?
At GetTransfer.com, we have found great success selling internationally. In fact, our platform is designed to facilitate global transportation needs, and we have operations in over 100 countries.
We believe that businesses that have the ability to sell globally have a distinct advantage over those that only focus on their local market.
This is because expanding globally allows for greater access to a larger customer base and the potential for higher revenue. Additionally, utilizing a marketplace business model can allow for rapid expansion into new markets while remaining profitable.
While it may require some initial investment and effort, we highly advise other entrepreneurs to consider expanding their business globally if they have the opportunity.
🧳 COVID has had a huge impact on reshaping the travel industry. How has this impacted your business, and how have you adapted?
Covid-19 had a significant impact on the travel industry, and we had to adapt quickly by implementing safety measures, offering flexible cancellation policies, and catering to the shift in consumer behavior towards remote work and leisure travel.
We remain committed to providing safe and reliable transportation services to our customers, and we will continue to adapt to changing market conditions to meet their needs.
We emerged from the pandemic stronger and more resilient and have seen a new wave of travelers looking to explore the world individually or in small groups. We are confident that we are well-positioned for continued growth and success in the future.
🧳 What makes your company stand out as a travel startup/company?
Our company stands out as a travel startup due to our unique tender-based system that matches requests with the most suitable offers and our global coverage with the lowest commissions for owners and prices for clients.
Additionally, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and support, which sets us apart from competitors.
🧳 What excites you most about working in the Travel industry?
What excites me most about working in the travel industry is the opportunity to help people explore and experience the world. Travel has the power to broaden horizons, expose people to new cultures and ideas, and create lasting memories.
Being a part of that experience and helping to make it happen is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, the travel industry is constantly evolving and changing, which keeps things exciting and dynamic. There is always something new to learn and explore, and I love being a part of that process.
Who knows what we will do next year? Maybe we will enter the Metaverse to rent digital and virtual cars out.
🧳 What are some of the biggest challenges in travel that innovators and other startups often face?
One of the biggest challenges that innovators and startups in the travel industry often face is the difficulty of breaking into a market dominated by established players.
Competition is intense, and it can be challenging to differentiate yourself and stand out in a crowded marketplace. Another major challenge is staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry.
The travel industry is constantly evolving and changing, and it is essential to stay on top of these changes to remain competitive and relevant. Finally, there is the challenge of navigating the complex and often heavily regulated landscape of the travel industry.
Regulations and other legal issues can vary significantly from country to country, making it challenging to expand into new markets and operate profitably and sustainably.
🧳 Tell us a bit about your culture. What makes your company’s culture unique?
Our company culture is one of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
We believe that everyone on our team has something valuable to contribute, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to share their ideas and perspectives. One of the things that makes our culture unique is our diverse team.
We have people from all over the world with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity helps us to see things from different angles and to approach challenges and opportunities in new and innovative ways.
We are open to everyone ready to make the industry change and contribute something personal and professional to this change.
🧳 In your opinion, what are the most exciting trends in Travel right now?
There are a lot of catchy trends in the travel industry that are currently becoming more and more popular.
But in my opinion, the two most exciting trends in travel right now are sustainable or purpose-driven travel and the use of technology to enhance the travel experience.
Sustainable travel includes eco-friendly and socially responsible travel practices, while technology is transforming the industry through mobile apps, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual reality.
These trends show how the travel industry is adapting to meet the changing needs of travelers, and as an innovator in the industry, we are excited to be part of this evolution.
And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?
If people want to learn more about GetTransfer.com and our services, they can visit our website. Our website provides information about our services, pricing, and booking options.
Additionally, customers can reach out to us via email or chat room for any inquiries or assistance they may need. We also have a presence on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram, where we share updates and promotions.
By following us on these platforms, customers can stay up-to-date with our latest news and offerings. YouTube has a lot of educational videos about us and our products and innovations.
We welcome anyone interested in our services to contact us or follow us on social media for more information.
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