Alex and Barry are doing very well. “We’ve had exceptional results in May”, Alexandra laughs. She reckons that the large sign recently installed on the building has been a key factor in driving these improved results.

Alex and Barry are both fully absorbed with the Lisbon expansion project, which is in full swing. “We are in the process of signing the lease and departing on July 4th, after which we will kick off with 6 to 8 weeks of renovation and construction before the store opening”, Alex explains.

It is clear that Alex and Barry are hugely excited about the future, but also filled with trepidation – as the extent of the risks they are taking is becoming clear. “We are now up to our eyeballs with admin, looking at spreadsheets to check what we can and cannot afford, permissions, contracts and the like”… Alex says.  “It is a massive financial risk, but we are going to have to make it work”, she adds, saying the only way to do this is to go all in with a come what may attitude.

Aside from the financial aspect, the other serious challenge will be for Alex and Barry to manage the Cape Town side of business remotely while setting up operations in Lisbon. It is clear that the business is still heavily dependent on the founder’s daily presence and that ongoing staff training will need to be accelerated. With the help of tech tools such as high resolution cameras and production planners, Barry intends to keep an eye on production, quality control and technical guidance as well as daily team meetings.  Yet they are fully confident that this can work – thanks to the exceptional quality and commitment of their Cape Town team.

Alex and Barry are hugely grateful to their Imperial College team. “We wish you were still here”, Alex laughs. As Barry puts it, “I think this experience was the spark that got us going and start growing up as a business – please come and visit us in Lisbon!”.