How did the idea to create Vopero come about?
We took on the challenge—and the dream—of creating a fashion resale platform for all of Latin America. From day one, that was our goal; we saw Uruguay as the ideal place to launch and navigate the initial phase, to bring the idea to market, and to meet sellers and buyers.
There are different approaches to the retail model, including what’s known as peer-to-peer, where the seller connects through a platform and handles everything themselves, but the platform has no control over the customer experience.
We didn't want to move toward that model; we believe that for Latin America, the right model is one in which we can ensure the quality and consistency of the experience for both buyers and sellers.
How do you ensure a positive experience?
We offer sellers the option of clearing out their closets using a kit they request from us; they put everything they want in it, seal the bag, and we pick it up or they bring it to us.
That's what the seller has to handle; we get to work photographing those items, sorting them, and getting them ready to be listed on a marketplace. Then the seller approves the prices, adjusts them if they want, and collects payment.
We guarantee the buyer a garment in perfect condition—it’s used but looks brand new. When we manage to convince someone to buy secondhand clothing, the experience is so positive that they tend to come back.
We aim to position Vopero as a person’s primary shopping destination.
How do you see the company's growth?
We currently have 70 employees, but we’re hiring full-time staff, and we’re expanding many of our roles. In terms of sales and customer service, we’re growing month by month.
Something very interesting happened: word of mouth encouraged people to shop at Vopero, and that created a strong sense of community.
We’ve been operating in Mexico since May. It’s a very large market—one of the largest in Latin America, alongside Brazil. Like all markets, it has barriers to entry, which were exacerbated for us by the COVID-19 pandemic. What we did was secure a hotel and set up our warehouse there; now we’re in a larger, more corporate office building.
There are other challenges that aren't market-related, such as attracting talent. For us, this is essential, as we believe that a company is defined by the talent it has within its ranks.
We also have the support of our team of mentors and angel investors, who share their experiences and insights with us, helping us chart our course. This includes Ariel Burschtin and Álvaro García, the founders of PedidosYa, who are investors in Vopero.
The National Agency for Research and Innovation played a key role in our growth; it gave us the momentum we needed to consolidate the decisions and processes required for our company.
Why is buying secondhand clothing a good idea?
The driving force behind this movement is the younger generation—Gen Z—who are the most committed to it, but it’s gradually catching on among older generations as well.
People tend to think that sustainable fashion is more expensive, but at Vopero, you pay less, help the environment, and buy what you want.
It’s a sustainable and smart purchase. Plus, anything that isn’t recycled is donated to Ceprodih.
From the very beginning, we wanted to be a triple-impact company.
What skills did you learn in college that you use in your professional life today?
College and the job market are the perfect complement to each other: one lays the groundwork, and the other provides the experience. By combining the two, you develop a more well-rounded skill set.
From a technical standpoint, it’s crystal clear how much I’ve gained from it—for example, how to manage a team or structure projects. Then, that knowledge is reinforced by experience, as you come to understand what works and what doesn’t.
My role is technical, so I always focus on technology—from making processes more efficient to ensuring our platform has the tools we need so that buyers can find the products they’re looking for and sellers have all the tools they need. We also strive to make data-driven decisions, process the information that’s generated, and use that to guide the company’s direction.