Three Bristol entrepreneurs have transformed their same-day courier service from a risky venture that forced one founder to sell his car into a thriving business now generating £130,000 per month in revenue.
The Unlikely Beginning
James Garbett, 32, commercial director at Send It Direct, co-founded the company with brothers James Thomas, 27, and Ben Thomas, 29, after identifying a gap in the market for on-demand delivery services. Their collective experience in the delivery sector gave them the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial vision, despite the significant financial risks involved.
"We knew we wouldn't have much coming in initially, but we were confident we could build something sustainable," James Garbett told Metro. The founders secured a loan using Ben's house as collateral, demonstrating their commitment to making the business work against all odds.
Overcoming Early Challenges
The startup phase proved exceptionally challenging. Within their second month of operation, one of their two delivery vans was stolen, creating immediate insurance complications. Cash flow problems and late payments from clients added to their difficulties, while one driver unexpectedly lost their license for a year.
The financial strain became so severe that Ben Thomas sold his personal car to cover living expenses, with none of the directors taking salaries for the first five months. James Garbett himself left a high-paying head of sales position, initially earning less than half his previous income during the company's early months.
"It was a case of paying everyone else first, and us as directors were putting everything back into the company," James explained, highlighting the sacrifices required to establish their business.
Rapid Growth and Success Strategies
Despite the rocky start, Send It Direct demonstrated remarkable growth. The company generated £14,000 in its very first month, leveraging the founders' industry connections and persuasive abilities to build an immediate customer base. Thirteen months later, they achieved their impressive £130,000 monthly turnover milestone.
James attributes much of their success to his proactive approach to business development. "I will actually just turn up unannounced at a business, knock on the door and say hello," he revealed. This personal touch, combined with their focus on telephone communication rather than digital portals, has proven particularly effective with clients who value human interaction for high-value or fragile deliveries.
The company now serves over 200 clients ranging from small businesses to household names including Nuffield Health, Travis Perkins, and ITV. Their most unusual delivery to date involved transporting a live spider intended for David Attenborough's filming projects, a task that tested their drivers' courage.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
James emphasises the importance of thorough preparation and commitment for anyone considering starting their own business. "There has to be some level of calculation," he advises. "You've got to have conversations, have some form of data to show this could work, and build yourself a financial runway."
His experience with previous side hustles taught him valuable lessons about the dedication required for entrepreneurial success. The Send It Direct team maintains a people-first approach while bridging delivery services with technology, all achieved without external investment.
Now employing eight staff members and serving major corporate clients, the Bristol-based company has proven that calculated risks, personal sacrifice, and relentless effort can transform a business idea into a remarkable success story.
