German Renzi. 33 years old. From Camilo Aladao, Cordoba, Argentina.
Start-up: Industria Renzi - Game Factory For Children And Parks
5 Why’s: Why, Who, Where, When, What, to whom?
The commercial activity began in Camilo Aldao, Córdoba, Argentina in 1983 as a family business, founded by Santos and Ruben Renzi (my grandfather and my dad respectively), which was dedicated to the manufacture of TV and radio antennas. With the changes in the market in 1994, it was decided to change the entry and after analyzing a lot options, it was decided that the most convenient was the manufacture of wheeled vehicles for children, because of supply in our market, the manufacturing of games for parks, such as hammocks, buggies, slides, etc.
How did you come up with your idea and what do you find unique about your business?
In reality it is a family business, which has been transmitted for generations; I am the third generation. Maybe with my incorporation was given another approach to the company, a broader look and other ambitions.
Being able to accompany the little ones in their most important social stage. When playing, children can develop in a healthy way (both physically and mentally).
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out/ your younger self, what would it be?
Do not be afraid of failure, and that is always a good time to put an idea into practice and even more if it breaks a scheme (something innovative).
Do you remember the exact moment when you came up with this idea? Did it look silly in the beginning? How did you feel then?
I don't remember an exact moment; I think I was always very clear that I was going to study, since I was a kid I already knew that I wanted to be an industrial engineer. In order to apply my knowledge and develop professionally in the family business.
I was always convinced of my idea, I never felt it was silly.
Did the society and the people around you tell you that you should stop being silly and you should find a 9 to 5 job like all the quot; normaly quot; people?
I consider that all the people in my environment support me in what I want to carry out, maybe they have asked me at some time why I insist on this and I am not looking for an employee more related to my profession elsewhere? But then by knowing me and knowing how I am about the objectives I intend to achieve, they end up supporting me to continue with the company.
What played the crucial role in your success: your formal or your non – formal or informal education?
Both formal and non-formal and informal education are important to acquire the knowledge necessary to be a successful entrepreneur. Formal education is key because it provides complex knowledge that gives you the basis to develop and informal education (the one you learn from life itself, from everyday events) helps you incorporate new things day by day.
Do you remember how many times did you decide to quit?
Being in a country like Argentina, with the economic instability that characterizes it, where what one day can be a great idea and the next day crumble like this suddenly, are countless times I wanted to give up. But... Here we are...
After you came up with business idea, first 5 things you needed to in order to put idea into practice?
1st Have the initiative.
2nd Be convinced of the idea that will be carried out.
3th Diagram the way to implement it, considering all the pros and cons that this implies.
4th Perform an "economic" analysis of the implementation, considering the current market.
5th Last, and not least, be prepared for success. Given the possibility of not being able to fully meet our expectations.
How many time you recognize you fail? Explain your failure and in the way you overcome them?
I am always very clear, that in any idea or project that develops, “failures” can be presented, some may be simple, and perhaps because they are focused on the progress of the project, they are overlooked, so it is very important to have the vision of other people that make us realize the errors to be able to correct them.
Tell me about your best and worst days at work.
I don't know if there are better or worse work days, different situations, both good and bad, can always arise in the day. What you have to try is to take advantage of these situations as best as possible, trying to transform bad experiences into good opportunities and repeat good times.
What do you do when you’re not at work? (work-life balance)
I am always doing some kind of work, both inside and outside the company. As regards entrepreneurship, I try to train myself to keep up with the advances in technology, markets, etc. Other times I focus on developing new projects.
As for my private life I carry out activities that involve helping people who need it, I participate in social gatherings with friends, I do sports, leisure activities, etc.
You have two teleportation devices. Where do you place them, and why?
I would teleport more or less to the year 1450, to be contemporary with Ricardo Da Vinci, and have the possibility of being his apprentice.
On the other hand, I would like to move to the year 1817 to understand how with the difficulties and obstacles that arose at that time, with almost no favorable condition and with only the idea or conviction of liberating the American continent, San Martín was able to fulfill its objective, managing to convince people of their ideals.
What are you afraid of?
I fear many things, but it is not braver who is not afraid, but who dares to face them.
Who is or was your mentor?
Being a family business, my mentors were my grandfather and my father. They have also learned a little from me, since we knew how to complement each other.
How do you like to receive feedback? How do you like to give feedback?
While the comments you receive serve to grow, they are always welcome; and on the other hand, I like to listen more than to give my opinion, so I usually reserve my opinions.
What was the newest thing you’ve learned?
In formal education, the last thing I was studying is about energy efficiency labeling of homes. As for informal education, as I mentioned before, every day you learn something new.
What was the last thing you taught someone?
I am helping a young engineering student with preparation in the physical field for admission to university.
Every brand usually wants to stand out. And have this different style and looks and way of doing things. Is it important for you? Surely every starting entrepreneur thinks of it highly, but once in it, it might be more about survival and essential things than this kind of visual fun. How is yours going?
The quality of our products is essential as well as anticipating the future and adapting to new challenges, as quickly as possible, in the face of increasingly frequent and unpredictable market changes. The answer to the challenges lies in the capacity for innovation to be able to differentiate itself from the competition, relying on technology to achieve Efficiency, Profitability and Productivity Improvement. This vision gives us an advantage over our competitors within the market.
What do you look for in an employee/partner to be when hiring or partnering? What is a must to work with you?
I think that the most important thing, which is sought in a person with whom one wishes to work, is loyalty, trust and responsibility.
What are the challenges you have faced while growing your startup?
Every day there are different challenges, many times, the most difficult are the economic ones.
From where you got the necessary funds to develop your start-up?
In my case, when I started, the company was already underway, so I already had an initial capital.
What are your expanding plans?
We have a medium or short term plan, which is about the relocation of the industrial plant, in a new property that was acquired a few years ago.
What opportunities your start-up has at national and international level?
Currently, a new product line has begun to be developed, so that further expansion at the national level can be achieved, and in terms of the product line that we have developed since the beginning, it is trying to enter the international market.
Do you have plans in the future to expand your portfolio of products/services?
Yes! We are currently renovating some products, trying to replace those obsolete products.
Did you ever consider to start a new business? If so, what would you do differently this time? In which industry/sector it would be?
No, although there is always the possibility of doing something new. I am very satisfied with the business that we are carrying out, and in the case of having to start over, I would do it in the same way and with the same desire as always.
