Our Founder Story in the form of an Interview by The Natural Parent Magazine
Updates
Your Gift Card App for Meaningful & Convenient Gifting
The idea for the Okuru app came about during the Covid pandemic, when there was a need to simplify the way family and friends maintained loving connections, with physical gift-giving becoming increasingly difficult. Grace Seah-Tan saw an opportunity to create a solution that would not only help people connect easily with loved ones but would also support small businesses in the process. Okuru is an online platform for sending well-meaning digital gift cards with just a few clicks, allowing you to give a thoughtful gift effortlessly, strengthen family and friendship connections and put a smile on someone’s face. Here Grace talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her business, the challenges they have overcome, how she balances work and family, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Okuru was born out of a desire to solve a personal challenge that many faced during the pandemic. With physical gift-giving becoming increasingly difficult and costly, especially for sending gifts overseas, I saw an opportunity to create a solution that not only addressed this problem but also supported small businesses. My passion for helping local businesses thrive and my love for meaningful gifting inspired the creation of Okuru, a digital platform that simplifies the process of giving and receiving gift cards. We are a proud West Australian business.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
The word Okuru means “to send” in Japanese. The idea sparked from the need to find a convenient way to send thoughtful gifts without the logistical challenges of physical shipping. I started by researching the gift card market and reaching out to small business owners to understand their needs. With their feedback, and after speaking to various mobile app developers all over the world, I proceeded to work with a Perth-based development team to create a user-friendly app that met our requirements. Our initial launch in December 2023 was modest, focusing on building a strong foundation and a community of supportive local businesses.
Since then, we have attracted hundreds of app downloads and user signups.
The Innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for Okuru came when we were successful in applying for the Australian Government R&D Tax Incentive Grant. This helped us develop our unique app-to-app protocols that ensured secure storage and transfer of digital gift cards with protection against fraud and scammers. This innovation gave both customers and businesses peace of mind, significantly boosting user trust and adoption. Additionally, partnering with key influencers and participating in startup programs, such as Spacecubed’s Plus Eight Sprint Program, helped us gain valuable exposure and credibility in the market.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balancing work and family is always a delicate act. I prioritise setting boundaries and allocating dedicated time for both. It helps that my husband and I are empty nesters with very limited responsibilities to look after the grandkids who live overseas.
Early mornings and evenings are reserved for household duties, while the day is focused on business activities. Leveraging technology, such as scheduling and automation tools and remote working, helps me manage my home and business responsibilities more efficiently. Open communication with the rest of my family ensures they understand my commitments and allows us to support each other effectively.
The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?
One of the significant challenges was gaining the trust of small business owners and convincing them to adopt a new digital platform. Many were hesitant about the shift to digital gift cards, fearing complexity or security issues. Through persistent education, demonstrations, and testimonials from early adopters, we gradually built trust and showcased the tangible benefits of joining Okuru. Another challenge was managing growth while maintaining a high level of service, which we addressed by continuously refining our processes and expanding our team.
Due to increasing costs, we have since relocated our app development team overseas and this move has worked well in keeping costs within budget.
For Better or Worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I love it! Running my own business has always been in my DNA. It is incredibly tough but rewarding.
The pros include the freedom to innovate, the ability to make a positive impact on local businesses, and the personal growth that comes with overcoming challenges. However, it also comes with its cons, such as the pressure of constant decision-making, the risk of financial instability, and the challenge of maintaining a work-life balance. Despite these challenges, the sense of fulfillment and the opportunity to create something meaningful outweigh the downsides.
Hopes and Dreams: What next?
Looking ahead, my vision for Okuru is to become the go-to platform for digital gift cards, not just locally but globally. We aim to expand our partner network, introducing more small businesses to the benefits of digital gifting. We are currently operating in Australia, Singapore, UK, New Zealand, USA, Canada, India.
Additionally, we’re exploring new features to enhance user experience and further secure transactions. Ultimately, my dream is to create a sustainable business that supports local economies and brings joy to gift-givers and recipients alike.
Visit the Okuru website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn
