Conversation with a founder: Austin

What problem is Secnd solving? ??

"The main problem with existing marketplaces and recyclers is they can’t offer fair value, with eBay seller fees at 12.8% and recyclers offering as little as 60% of the true value.?

Consumers are heavily marginalised and the only alternative is free marketplaces such as Facebook which has no protection for the buyer or seller meaning either part could be subject to a scam.

Secnd solves these issues with no seller fees, product and user verification and also a 48 hour escrow."

How was it leaving your own company to pursue Secnd? ??

"At first it was a bit daunting as I spent 3 years trying to build up my previous company but I used to deal with all the pain points with existing marketplaces on a daily basis. I had full faith in Secnd being one of the leading used tech marketplaces so it was a risk I was willing to take."

What are your goals for 2023? ??

"My goals for this year are to launch the app, expand the categories so people can sell tablets, smart watches and also laptops, and make consumers aware there is a platform to sell your old tech for true value."

How is it working with an old friend and your brother? ??

"I have always worked with my brother which can be challenging sometimes... haha only joking we get along so well it’s a pleasure being business partners with him. Working with a friend is a new experience for me but it has been amazing having Josh with all his previous experience. We are no longer a dynamic duo anymore we are all known as the three musketeers."?

Knowing you competed at a British standard in motocross, what skills did you take from that? ??

"I would say one of the main things I have taken from motorbike racing is being able to push yourself to be the best you can possibly be and not giving up whether it's training in the gym 7 days a week or riding most days. Doing motocross you can’t really have much fear as you are jumping a motorbike 100ft in the air so the fear of new challenges is never as scary as that."

Do you have any regrets in the last 6 months being a founder???

"I?wouldn’t say I have any regrets but the only thing I would change if I started again would be not rush to get the app built and get all the resources we needed from the start in place before we started the build."