The founders share how lockdown prompted them to start a company
Describe your business in one sentence?
Velo – is French for bike and Bello – is Italian for beauty. We’ve created a stylish, lightweight bike, with good quality components that looks amazing.
When did you launch and who is behind it?
September 2020 and the founders are Bojan Bojanov and Neb Dorontic.
When did your lightbulb moment happen?
Last year during the first lockdown. We decided that rather than wait 16 weeks for a bike from a high street retailer, that we would create our own. We’re both cycling enthusiasts and we wanted a lightweight bike with good quality components – one that we could ride to business meetings or at sporty events. Whilst doing our research, we noticed there was a gap in the market for this type of bike, so we launched Velobello.
What did you do prior to starting your business?
We were Interior Designers
What inspired you to launch the business when you did?
We no longer wanted to take London transport. We also wanted to keep fit and save the environment.
What type of support have you received since starting your business?
None
What would you say were three of the most challenging aspects of setting up the business?
Designing the right product, promoting it and sales
What happened to your business during lockdown?
We launched it!
What business lessons have you learned from Covid?
Never take anything for granted, always find a solution to develop further – and enjoy life.
What type of support (if any) have you received from the council in relation to your business?
None as yet, but we’d love to share some of our ideas…
If you had the opportunity to do it all again, what would you do differently?
Maybe to have started the company a few years earlier.
What three tips would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Trust your instinct, do your research and work hard
Finish this sentence. I like being based in Wandsworth because…
We’ve been Wandsworthians more than 28 years and are still going strong! We love the diversity of the local community.
How can people find you?
698b Garratt Lane SW17 0NN,
In front of Uncommon Deli (184 Northcote Road SW11 6RE), Bellevue bicycle workshop (1 Bellevue Road SW17 7EG)
hello@velobello.com, (T) 07909541338