Hello again! Nemanja here, back to dive deeper into the LimoExpress journey. When we last spoke, the concept of LimoExpress had just been introduced. Now, let's explore how this idea evolved into a practical solution that’s already beginning to reshape the limo industry.
Our first chapter in this venture began unexpectedly. While focusing on construction-related transport, an opportunity knocked. A close friend, running a construction company, needed help managing their trucks and transportation. This led to the creation of TruckMate in spring 2023, a mobile app that addressed the cumbersome process of travel bookings. And yes - that was the first mobile app developed by GoldBear Technologies!
But why stop there? As we thought about scaling TruckMate for larger construction companies, my friend, always a source of inspiration, suggested a pivot: "Why not create something for limo agencies?" He highlighted the total absence of digital tools and analogue nature of this sector. Limo agencies, it seemed, were still entangled in outdated methods like messaging apps, paper records, and Excel spreadsheets.
We started researching the market. To our surprise, we found that not just in Montenegro, but also in nearby regions and even globally, there was a real need for a digital tool specifically designed for limo agencies. This revelation was our Eureka! moment – the industry was ready for digital transformation, and the market, much larger than anticipated.
Consulting with industry experts further confirmed our findings. Limo agencies functioned in a fragmented, outdated manner, heavily dependent on messaging apps such as Viber, paper, and spreadsheets. This inefficient method of operation was not just a local problem but a global challenge.
With the problem defined and the opportunity clear, we rolled up our sleeves. Our team began developing the vision of what LimoExpress would look like, its functionalities, and the overall user experience. We crafted the initial UX drafts, focusing on how each element would contribute to our goal of digitizing the industry.
Our goal was to develop an MVP in the time span of one month. We chose a custom design route, understanding that a generic solution would not fully meet the specific needs of limo agencies. Then, on June 1st, a symbolic yet significant milestone: a new Slack channel was created within GoldBear, dedicated solely to LimoExpress.
Our journey from a simple app for managing construction transport to a comprehensive solution for limo agencies illustrates the power of innovation and adaptability. LimoExpress is not just a product; it's a testament to our commitment to solving real-world problems with digital solutions.
But as with any new project, the path to innovation comes with its own set of obstacles. In our next chapter, we will explore the difficulties we encountered with gathering a team capable of realizing our vision, and the efforts involved in acquiring the funding necessary to drive our project ahead. Stay tuned!
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