DUO SET UP ERRAND SERVICE TO HELP OUT PEOPLE
By Nigel Mado
Two young men in Lae City are innovating the SME sector with their errand services being offered in the capital of Morobe province. Both Joel Messel & Shalom Pikir are offering services that many would not have taken seriously, especially with Papua New Guinea’s diverse social and cultural background.
When approached by the FM100 Newsroom, the Gentlemen Service founders were working on enhancing their services.
Whether it be standing in line to get to the teller at the bank, to pick-up & delivery or being your personal shop assistant, purchasing your groceries and delivering to your doorstep, or even photography services, these men embody the idea of service delivery.
Joel Messel stated that once they had started, it was all about helping people to continue their work and run errands
But what seems like an idea of ingenuity was born out of necessity and in a country where unemployment rates, undefined by local agencies, was indicated to be at 2.8% last year by Trading Economics.
Pikir & Messel, both hailing from East New Britain, Pikir from the Duke of York and Messel from both East & West New Britain, graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute with degrees in Applied Sciences.
Messel explained that soon after graduation, both friends tried applying out to numerous places of interest and potential employers, but unfortunately were not able to land a job. Feeling down and with no form of formal employment for themselves, the hassle to find a job weighing down on both men saw them find inspiration from a familiar figure.
The Idea came from the mother of close family friends that both men were living with, who saw their will to push on despite their setbacks, suggest that they come up with an errand service to pass time while looking for formal employment and to have their own pocket money.
They started off with a simple Facebook page and were off.
Messel said although business is slow for them, they are taking it day by day and even have plans for expansion. He said sometimes they get customers on a weekly basis but they are happy that their customers are satisfied with their services.
Despite this they press on and hope to inspire more youth with their business. At the moment they focus on providing reliable service, and should they grow, they hope to expand and help out other young men who are going through the same situation as themselves.
PC: Joel Messel & Shalom Pikir with friend [Supplied]
