Our story began when Stephen and Robert while attending an investor pitch session, noticed how poorly prepared the presentations of several entrepreneurs were, in spite of having great products. As a consequence, no investor offered a deal. It became clear to them that there was a real problem, not only for those pursuing investor funding, but also for those seeking business loans: access to expertise.
They both noticed there was a major gap in assisting small businesses with consulting services, due to the unaffordable, high fees associated with this type of services. Statistics show that most businesses fail due to proper planning, which leads to cash flow shortages and eventually to closing the doors. This happens to over 50% of new businesses within 3 years of starting up. Both Stephen and Robert decided to do something about it.
On a mission to do good, they started tinkering with a few solutions and eventually the one that got traction was a consulting business, focusing on providing both existing and would-be business owners with premium yet affordable services.
After several successful quarters in European markets, they added a third partner. Daniel brought an unparalleled level of experience in consulting for small businesses. He had worked with more than 2,400 clients individually and had provided courses and presentations to thousands of individuals. Based in Austin, Texas, he began overseeing all North American operations.
The mission of SetPlans was to quickly become a leader in small business consulting by guiding entrepreneurs to reach sustainable growth. Services such as business plan development with focus on accessing funding, market research and opportunity analysis, marketing plans and financial forecasting were gradually introduced. Yet, there was one more gap to fill - technology. All businesses now need an online presence and SetPlans saw the need for adding that service. Stephen, Daniel and Robert listened and acted - adding a partner with vast experience in technology commercialization.
Paul brought a vast area of expertise, backed by a strong educational background, topped with a Ph. D. in software engineering from an acclaimed university in Europe. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Paul and his team have developed numerous large IT projects, from website development and e-commerce integration, to mobile apps and software development. His impressive track record includes creating and managing large technology projects for the European Commission.
Our leadership team is completed by Simran Dhillon. Mr. Dhillon brings a wealth of expertise to SetPlans, having managed technology projects for numerous Fortune 500 companies. His impressive track record includes managing the network and database for Fanatics.com, the largest online sports equipment retailer in the United States. In this capacity, he made sure all fan gear for all NFL teams, all NBA teams and other professional leagues got to fans safely and securely. We are fortunate to have Simran on board and thus strengthen our position as a valuable provider of business solutions to clients worldwide.
Thus SetPlans became a full service provider for small businesses. Today, we are excited to continue making sophisticated business solutions available to everyone. We are committed to make a positive impact in communities across multiple continents. From planning to executing, we provide clients opportunities to achieve their goals faster, cheaper and smarter.