WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS DO?
Few is a holistic health and wellbeing platform that allows its users to work on the development of their physical, mental and spiritual health. We do this by connecting our users with the best practitioners both locally and internationally, via sessions online and in person.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE?
I used to run a digital agency, then I moved to a technology consultancy. Here I helped them to scale their business and grow their operations from London to the Netherlands, Switzerland, Amsterdam and the north of England. I had worked in the tech space for over a decade, when I decided to start Few. Now I am using my experience to connect and enable human beings!
WHEN DID YOU OPEN FOR BUSINESS?
We launched in June 2020, smack bang in the middle of the pandemic, although we actually came up with the concept during the summer of 2019. Mental health issues have become all the more prevalent as a result of the pandemic, meaning that the timing of Few is great for our users. Whilst everything is on pause, it gives our users the opportunity to look at themselves and take note of what really matters to them, and realise that one’s own wellbeing is number one.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS BUSINESS?
A couple of reasons. My mum was a reiki master, and I saw her struggles with confidence, with marketing herself and with securing clients. In addition to this, a friend back from India as a qualified yoga instructor and when I asked her how she planned to scale her business, she said that she wasn’t really sure how to approach it. I then did some research into the industry, and realised that it was a common issue in the wellbeing industry. This gave me the idea of Few, as a result of wanting to help these people elevate their profile and connect with others, which in turn has the potential to help hundreds and thousands of people.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
The unrivalled feeling of when you really help someone. I’ll give our boxing practitioner Jay as an example. When Jay first moved to Malta, he didn’t know anyone and he didn’t have any clients. Typically, this would mean that he would have had to start from scratch by finding a studio or a gym and then build a client base etc. With Few we can maximise his exposure, build his client base and brand, all through our platform. He joined us at the end of November and by the end of January he was in the position where the work he did through Few covered his living expenses entirely. Of course, as a business, we encounter problems and setbacks, but despite these ups and downs, helping others in such an impactful way makes it all worth it.
WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS DIFFERENT?
Other, similar platforms, are focused purely on gyms and studios. Whilst this is easier to do, it means that the people who are doing the training and running the sessions are missing out. Practitioners are trying to make a living, but they’re not being helped by anyone. Few is practitioner-centric. They’re at our very core. We help them to thrive through digital enablement.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN BUSINESS?
For me, the best part of running a business is being able to lead from the front. I can use the experience I’ve gained throughout my career to help other people find their paths.
AND THE WORST?
The paperwork, definitely the never ending paperwork.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN MALTA CHANGE OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS?
The culinary side of Malta has drastically improved. It was very standard before, but it’s become a lot more refined. Aside from that, the introduction of Bolt to the island has really made a big difference in helping to cut down on the need to drive or use expensive taxis.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IN STORE FOR MALTA DURING THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
I predict that apps like Cool Ride-Pooling and GoTo Malta, who are striving to reduce the amount of cars on the road, will have a big impact on helping Malta to become more sustainable. I know that Malta Enterprise have recently invested in some drone related stuff, which I think will pave the way for a more innovative solution to delivery based traffic.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREETIME?
I’m a big Manchester United fan. During a 90 minute game, nothing is in my head apart from how bad our defence is. I also try to make time for meditation and exercise. I like going for walks along the seafront, which is handy when I am feeling stressed. On Sundays, I try to stay off my phone, and go on a trek by the sea.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
I get inspired by lots of different things. I recognise that I don't feel inspired when I’m stuck inside, so I find that walking and seeing changes in scenery help to spark creativity. I also often find that inspiration strikes when I’m in the shower!
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN A BUSINESS PARTNER COLLABORATOR?
Honesty , transparency and reciprocal support. I find that not being Maltese, and living here as an expat can leave you feeling isolated sometimes. This is one of the reasons that support is really important to me, and sharing successes together is also great.
Find out more about Few:
Website: www.few-app.com
Facebook: @fewtheapp
Instagram: @fewtheapp
