We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelly Mohammed. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelly below.
Shelly, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Leaving a permanent job with loads of benefits to start my own business with little resources. Having a degree in marketing and Human Resources Management, clearly was me not knowing what I wanted to be doing career wise. What I knew though, was the fact that shipping and logistics was at the top of my list. Starting off at age 19 is where I began the journey and at age 26 was when I took the risk in starting off on my own.
A lot of risk involved as I now had to build a new clientele, build a capital, get a place to rent etc was so challenging for me at that time and age. But with the support of my parents, I made it!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Shelly Mohammed. Managing Director of Shelcom Shipping & Custom Brokerage Services Limited. We are currently based in Trinidad with branches in Miami, NYC and Canada. Soon to be moving into the Caribbean. Our services includes the following just to list a few and is not limited to:
1. Ocean Freight- worldwide import and export
2. Skybox – Miami to Trinidad only (for now)
3. Airfreight worldwide imports and exports
4. Breakbulk cargo
5. Drop and pick up of containers to and from supplier warehouses.
6. Door to door services
I would say shelcom has the edge on the rest as we provide a personalized service to our clients. As a small company, our team is committed to providing a reliable service for all. With open communication on each shipment, from pick up to delivery we are in contact directly with our customers. We ensure a smooth transaction process not forgetting effective delivery and timely response.
The name Shelcom comes from Shelly (Shel) of course and the “com” (company) are my parents. I wanted the name to reflect my immediate circle. Being an only child for my parents, it’s what I thought best of the name. My logo was created by my husband, Wasim Singh who is a professor at Sheridan Collage in Canada. Web design and development expert! My logo consists of two shells- the green signifies ocean cargo or cargo that moves at our level. The Blue signifies air cargo. The spaces in between the shells are the logistics and transport systems. We are very detailed in our work and each shipment is handled with care, dedication and commitment. We aim to please our clients as they hired us to ensure their shipment is complete.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
The majority of my capital came from me cashing in on my life insurance policy. My dad also assisted me by buying my desk, chair and computer.
At 26, savings were not a core to me then. Luckily I had the cash from the policy which helped me started. Not much money to talk about. My business took almost a year to grows the struggle was real! But by the grace of God and had work I managed to get the foundation done and today I’m here still.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started emailing random people, like my friends and family and then I would use a phone directory to call commercial companies and get their emails- three days a week about Shelcom and our services. Different artwork to follow so it wouldn’t have been a nuisance. Then Facebook came about and I took full advantage! Before my husband came into my life, I used to create the post and artwork and when he started to assist me it got better.
At least twice a week we posted different content which were featured in IG as well. Some post about Shelcom’s services and others on random topics just to get the audience involved which worked! We got more and mor likes. We made the post exciting and interactive. Some of the post were boosted to reach out to more but that’s expensive. So the more you post and get the viewer’s attention, it’s cheaper and easier to gain likes and followers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shelcomshipping.com
- Instagram: @shelcomshipping
- Facebook: @shelcomshipping