Aldershot Enterprise Centre | Startup
Removals, Driving and recruitment company grows at Aldershot Enterprise Centre
(From L-R) Dagal Chandra and Kamal – the team at Mimik Removals
Mimik Drivers and Mimik Removals have grown substantially since taking up residence at the Aldershot Enterprise Centre.
Starting as a driving recruitment agency, the company has diversified into removals and storage for commercial and household customers.
Kamal Thapa, Founder and Managing Director of Mimik Drivers and Kamal Thapa, Chandra Gurung and Dagalsing Sanwa Co-founders of Mimik Removals were initially looking for a flexible and affordable desk space at the centre. Jenny showed Kamal around and he found her very friendly, “It was an enjoyable experience.”
As a result of this in September 2019, he hired a hot desk in one of the two business suites at the centre. His business grew and the flexibility of the service offered by the centre meant that he could expand to two hot desks and then three.
Business Booming
Eventually, the business had grown so much that he was able to move into a large office. The company now boasts 10 permanent staff plus home-based drivers. As Kamal says,
“I am definitely happy with how business is going. We are really busy and growing faster than I expected. Especially last year the removals business was very busy.”
With 90% of their removals business coming from the household sector and business predominantly gained from recommendations, the company has also secured a lucrative contract with DHL. With so many companies looking for drivers and people still moving, even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t slow down their workload.
“We were actually busier during the pandemic as people still needed transport to move important goods and people were still moving house, especially when the government introduced its no stamp duty rule for some purchases.”
A Secure and Helpful Environment
The most important factor for Kamal when choosing the location for his business, and also a selling point for his customers, was the security of the site.
“It was important to me that I was in a secure location and the location inside a secure, manned gate means that customers feel safe when visiting us. It’s also useful to have 24/7 access to the site.”
He is also impressed with the Aldershot Enterprise Staff, who he describes as being
“So helpful in so many ways. If I need any kind of support such as technical or internet support, they will sort it out for me.”
He also gains referrals from them,
“They have recommended me to other businesses within the centre, I am always getting referrals from them, and they are always so friendly and helpful. I would like to thank them so much for helping me.”
Driving Future Plans
Kamal has big plans for the business; he wants to add another logistic sector and move into a big warehouse with its own lorry park and car park with a storage facility on site.
“I would like to expand the company within the UK, but this doesn’t mean that I intend to leave the Aldershot Enterprise Centre and would like to keep some hot desks there. I don’t want to completely leave.”
Kamal’s Top Business Tip
Kamal’s top tip for anyone starting a business is to keep it simple,
“Your business idea doesn’t have to be world changing. The most important thing is to have really strong values and principles, then you will have more chance of success.”
“Also, there is always solutions to problems. If you don’t know the answer, it can be found by asking other people.”
If you would like to find out more about Mimik Drivers, you can visit their website or follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.
If you would like to find out more about Mimik Removals and Self Drive Van Hire, you can also visit their website or follow them on Facebook, or Instagram.
Aldershot Enterprise Centre
Aldershot Enterprise Centre offers affordable office space for Hampshire and Surrey communities. It offers over 40 high-quality offices for rent and is ideal if you are looking to grow your business.
The centre provides tenants with superfast internet, meeting rooms, co-working space and more, enabling you to concentrate on your business success.
