Entrepreneur Programs Deliver the Right Tools for Newcomer Success
Door2Door Delivery came to be the way all great business ideas come to be – by realizing a need you have and then realizing you know how to solve it.
When owner Agunbiade Oluwaseun Richards (Seun) and his wife Ese arrived in Saint John from Dubai in 2018 with their young family, they found it difficult to run necessary errands. They were looking to the bus or a taxi to transport their family of five, no easy or inexpensive feat. Thus Door2Door Delivery was born.
Seun decided to pursue the development of his business idea in mid-2019 and was able to participate in three different Entrepreneur Development Programs, now offered by ConnexionWorks, which put him on the path to success.
“As a newcomer to Saint John, the Business Immigrant Essentials (BIE) taught me how to integrate my idea to the business environment and cultural values of the community,” says Seun. The BIE offers workshop content led by local business leaders, lawyers, accountants and MBA professors. Upon graduation of the program you will have the tools, resources, network and foundation needed to be successful in the local market.
He then participated in the Venture Validation Program (VVP), a 13-week comprehensive program with the perfect blend of class and field weekly assignments, with two UNB dons critiquing your business idea.
“With the help of Prof. Dan Doiron & Prof. Greg Fleet, I was able to formulate the right business model and strategy to launch Door2Door delivery and access some funding to later develop our mobile App.”
Seun was also able to benefit from the Impact Loan program, which helps new businesses prepare the documentation needed to secure Impact Loan funding and connects those entrepreneurs to other funding partners needed to launch a new business.
Opening in February 2020, Door2Door Delivery is “a last-mile delivery service for homes, restaurants, stores and offices.” With a variety of vehicles available, and a reliable fleet of drivers, Door2Door is able to cater to a wide range of individuals’ needs. From picking up an online grocery order to delivering office furniture to a client, Door2Door’s easy to use booking engine ensures your delivery is done right and right on time. “We are passionate about people, research and technology. Our customers’ needs come first, offering excellent services is second to none. We provide convenient pick-up and drop-off at your door-step!”
Door2Door Deliveries has seen great success to date. They were the recipient of the Champion for Cultural Diversity 2020, Immigrant Entrepreneur awarded by the New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC), as well as a Viewer’s Choice award winner at the recently concluded Apex-BMO Global Business Plan competition organized by the UNB Management Faculty.
The entrepreneur experience has impacted Seun greatly. He is now working towards a PhD that focuses on “Entrepreneurship Studies: Its impact on Economic Development & Population Growth” at the UNB – Saint John campus, under the supervision of Dr. Rob Moir.
