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From taking up blue collar jobs 10 years ago in Denmark to launching an app to help service providers – life came full circle for a Rajkot couple on Tuesday as they took a step forward in turning their vision into reality.
“IMBLUECOLLARS” – the app – is the vision of Krupa Mehta and her husband, Ritesh Bhatt. It aims to bridge the gap between blue collar worker and consumer in Rajkot without charging any fees from either.
The app will be available on Android as well as iOS mobile phones, the couple says. The launch of the mobile app comes about six months after the launch of the website – www.imbluecollars.com.
Dual platforms allow service providers to register for free to contact consumers. The platforms will host contact details for sellers, the couple said, and provide more than 200 types of services in 55 broad categories.
Vendors include mechanics, electricians, and technicians who repair televisions, refrigerators, cell phones, and computers, tiffin service providers, chauffeurs and rickshaw drivers, tailors, cobblers, carpenters, masons, potters, temporary workers, welders, photographers, videographers, and more. The goal is to give these workers and craftsmen digital identities and help them connect with consumers. “In the process, consumers will also have easy access to these services,” said Bhatt, who has a PhD in chemical engineering. The couple immigrated to Denmark in 2013 and took blue-collar jobs there.
Later, they worked in Sweden, Norway and France. Recently, they have incorporated Ritesh Ventures Private Limited (RVPL), a company that provides services such as website development and air travel booking among others.
“While we have been working in European countries, we have noticed how highly these services are regulated there. On the other hand, in our country, since these craftsmen are not tech-savvy, they are not able to harness the power of technology to maximize employment opportunities. Of On the other hand, consumers have to look for technicians and workers who can fix a faulty refrigerator or a broken sofa. Our families here used to struggle to get jobs like this when we were abroad. So, our project is an attempt to tackle this,” said Mehta, who has worked teacher. She added that the platform will help women who love cooking and making pickles find a market for their recipes.
The couple said 64,000 sellers have already registered on the site. They expect the numbers to increase with the launch of the app.
“We don’t charge any onboarding fees. A consumer who contacts a worker or craftsman through our app or website also doesn’t have to pay for access to our database of workers and craftsmen. In fact, we’ve launched a helpline number to help those who aren’t in the know. technology, to register themselves on the IMBLUECOLLARS platform,” said 35-year-old Bhatt, Director of Promotion at RVPL, adding, “We developed the website and the app internally, we have enough savings to keep the app and website going.” The app has a section. For consumer review and based on reviews, sellers will get ratings. Bhatt said that sellers who get negative ratings from consumers will be automatically downgraded.
“IMBLUECOLLARS is not even close to Just Dial in terms of consumer response. However, we are aware that IMBLUECOLLARS is only taking its first steps and their promoters have a noble reason as they do not charge anything while other service providers like Just Dial charge at least Rs 10,000 per annum for hosting details So, it makes sense for people like us to register themselves with IMBLUECOLLARS,” Harsh Patil, owner of Patidar Enterprise, a company in Patidar Chowk that provides services for repairing electrical appliances, told The Indian Express.
“I registered my company within two months, and I have received my service request,” added Patel.
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