Recently, our business class visited Woop and heard from Thomas, the company's owner. He shared the story of how the business started and the lessons he learned throughout his journey.

Thomas's first business was Tomette, which he ran with his business partner, who was also his best friend, from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, the company became Woop, and Thomas continued running the business on his own. He explained that the business faced many challenges between 2015 and 2021. However, during COVID-19, demand for meal kits increased, helping the business grow. Despite this success, the company continued to face challenges between 2022 and 2025.

Thomas spoke openly about some of the company's biggest mistakes, including market validation, business structure, bootstrapping, capital-raising timing, equity crowdfunding, governance, and relying on inexperienced people in technology roles. He explained how these challenges affected the growth of the business and what he learned from them.

It was refreshing to hear a presentation that focused on the realities of running a business. Thomas was passionate about his work, and it was clear from the moment we arrived that he genuinely enjoyed sharing his experiences with us.

One of the most inspiring parts of Thomas's story was that 92 investors said no before four investors finally agreed to invest in the company. This demonstrated the importance of perseverance, resilience, and determination when building a business.

The visit provided valuable insights into the realities of running a successful business. Thomas and the other speakers shared helpful advice about leadership, decision-making, and learning from mistakes.