The journey of a company is often seen as an adventure filled with twists, turns, and valuable lessons that shape the company's identity. At Focus BC, our story is no different. Founded by three friends - Nuno Serra, Sandro Batista, and Vasco Pinheiro - our company was born from a shared passion for innovation and a desire to democratize the world of Geographic Information System (GIS).
What started as a simple idea, casually discussed by the sea in Ericeira, has since evolved into a thriving business with partners and clients all over the world. In this blog post, we take a look back at how it all began, straight from the founders who made it happen.
1- How did Focus BC begin?
Nuno: The journey of Focus BC started when Vasco, Sandro, and I decided it was time to bring our shared vision to life. We had all worked together before, went our separate ways, but eventually, the idea of creating something different brought us back together. The conditions were right, so we jumped in. It wasn’t a gradual process; it was an immediate decision to start something new. We began working on the project literally by the sea, and by February 2012 Focus BC was officially born.
Sandro: We initially worked from my house, figuring out what the company would be, who would do what, and what our focus would be. Even before the company was formally established, we participated in events abroad, laying the groundwork for what was to come.
2- What challenges did you face at the start?
Nuno: The challenges were numerous. We knew each other well, but re-entering the market after being away for some time was tough. We had to understand the current trends and how the market would perceive us, a new player with fresh ideas. It wasn’t so much about facing difficulties, but more about the sheer effort required to create a company that aligned with our vision.
Sandro: Financial support was a significant challenge. We sought government backing, but the systems were slow. Starting with almost no money made the initial phase extremely challenging. But we stayed focused.
Nuno: In the beginning, it’s tough. No clients, no products, just a new concept for the market with no financial backing. That was our reality for the first couple of years.
"Focus BC’s DNA is rooted in the principle that work should be enjoyable. But equally important is personal happiness and work-life balance. We’ve always believed that happy employees are more productive, and fostering a culture that values this balance is crucial." Nuno Serra, Co-founder
3- How did you develop your first products?
Sandro: Our first projects were somewhat disconnected from what we had envisioned Focus BC to do. But over time, we began attracting projects that aligned more closely with our expertise. We realized early on that we needed a strong partner to support the kind of work we wanted to do, especially involving large datasets and complex projects. Google, with its alignment to our vision, became that partner.
4- Did you face any challenges when first reaching out to Google, or was it relatively smooth to connect with the right people?
Vasco: Getting in touch with the right people at Google took time. But once we connected, it set the stage for a partnership that would become crucial to our growth. We signed our first contract with Google in 2013, which was a significant milestone.
5- What about the evolution of your company structure?
Nuno: As we transitioned more towards product development, we had to build a structure that could support this evolution. It became necessary to have dedicated teams for marketing, product development, and customer support to manage the growing demands and ensure our products were market-ready.
"Innovation has always driven us. We’re constantly looking to anticipate what’s next for our clients and the markets we serve. This forward-thinking approach keeps us motivated to push boundaries and create impactful products." Vasco Pinheiro, Co-founder
6- How do you balance work and life at Focus BC?
Nuno: Focus BC’s DNA is rooted in the principle that work should be enjoyable. But equally important is personal happiness and work-life balance. We’ve always believed that happy employees are more productive, and fostering a culture that values this balance is crucial.
Vasco: The success of Focus BC is deeply connected to the well-being of our team. That’s why we’ve implemented practices like having Friday afternoons off, which helps our team recharge and stay motivated.
What has been your greatest source of inspiration?
Nuno: Inspiration comes from the collective vision we share. We all bring different perspectives, and sometimes I’m inspired by an idea I initially didn’t believe in, simply because someone else did.
Sandro: Our inspiration is also drawn from the people we work with, both within and outside Focus BC. Every team member contributes to our mission, and it’s their input that often leads us to new ideas.
Vasco: Innovation has always driven us. We’re constantly looking to anticipate what’s next for our clients and the markets we serve. This forward-thinking approach keeps us motivated to push boundaries and create impactful products.
7- What key lessons have you learned over the years?
Sandro: Always find a partner who excels at the things you dislike. The three of us complement each other perfectly in this way.
Nuno: Trust is paramount in any business relationship. It’s not just about trusting someone’s technical abilities but their values and principles. This trust has been a foundation of our partnership.
8- The name "Focus BC" was an easy choice?
Nuno: Choosing the name was actually one of the more challenging tasks. We threw around a lot of ideas, some of them quite ridiculous, before settling on Focus BC. We wanted a name that conveyed our commitment to business consulting and could be easily recognized in multiple languages, which was crucial for our international ambitions.
Vasco: The name 'Focus' was particularly fitting because it reflected our need to concentrate on what we did best. With so many ideas in play, having a clear focus was essential to our success.
"Our inspiration is also drawn from the people we work with, both within and outside Focus BC. Every team member contributes to our mission, and it’s their input that often leads us to new ideas." Sandro Batista, Co-founder
The journey of Focus BC is a story of friendship, innovation, and determination.
Nuno, Sandro, and Vasco’s points of view highlight that our success is built on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to both our people and our innovative spirit.
As we continue to grow and evolve, these core values will undoubtedly remain at the heart of everything we do, empowering us to make an even greater impact in the world of Real Time Location Intelligence.
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