Making space for the future - Interview with Wadih Haddad, Founder of The Box in Dubai
Self-storage company The Box discusses the importance of storage and sustainability.
We live in an age of consumerism, where people have more things than ever in their homes; yet, space sizes have remained the same or have gotten slightly smaller, resulting in cluttered spaces, filled with things that we might not use on a day-to-day basis but still hold importance or sentimental value to our lives.
Wadih Haddad, the founder of The Box, first recounts dealing with this problem when he worked for a shipping company, over 15 years ago. "My customers were asking me for space to store some boxes; but when you're in a shipping company, they want containers, they want big things. After saying no so many times, it really became a problem, and I had to find a solution," he says, resulting in the creation of The Box, a self-storage company where customers can rent out storage spaces for personal items.
The sizes range from 16 sq ft lockers to 500 sq ft mini-warehouses, designed for residences and smaller businesses, providing a space for the common man to keep all his extra items.
The idea of self-storage is a relatively new one, with most people using small closets, basements, or attics to store sentimental knick-knacks. However, most people may not have access to such spaces, or will find them too cluttered, leading to The Box.
Self-storage units are more accessible than traditional storage options as they can be rented from a weekly, monthly or on a yearly basis - making them a practical solution to lifestyle storage needs. Many businesses are also turning to self-storage today considering the benefit of handling multiple issues such as their storage, utilities and safety requirements in just one transaction. The Box even offers order fulfilment option to its business customers.
Despite focusing on self-storage, The Box also provides you with a range of additional benefits and services, including moving and packing. Seen as a one-stop shop, customers can hire The Box's services for everything, from packing up additional items to transporting it to one of the many storage facilities across the city, to storing your extra goods for you.
The storage facility is easily accessible, is open 24/7, and customers have access cards, so they can take their things any time of the day or night. The storage facilities are protected via security guards and CCTV cameras, making this a safe space to store precious and valuable items.
Wadih continues to take leaps forward, in terms of competition, sustainability, and CSR; his team is lively and interactive, the offices are warm and friendly, and Wadih ensures that everyone gets an equal opportunity to perform and showcase their talents.
"The product itself isn't really a differentiator - anyone can do storage. But it's the consistency of service, it's our culture where people are kind, caring, friendly, dependable," he adds, generating focus on the warm nature of his team. His competitive edge lies in empathy and in providing all the solutions under one roof, making it easier for the customer as well.
When it comes to sustainability, The Box outperforms most other companies in the industry, thanks to recyclable boxes, construction of green facilities, and a new initiative of planting a tree for every transaction performed, on behalf of the customer.
The customer receives a certificate detailing the species of the tree, where it's planted, and social media links of the planter. Wadih's goal is simple; to offset the amount of carbon produced, so we can enjoy guilt-free consumption. "It's very much aligned with the vision of Dubai to make the world a better place, cleaner place. We're all in this one home," he adds.
Apart from this, the company has also invested in other small businesses in an attempt to give back to the community. For Wadih, the definition of success is not just a large profit margin, but the happiness of his team and his customers.
For him, the driving force behind the company is 'purpose over profit', and he promotes the happiness, safety, and convenience of his customers and employees above all else, fostering a warm and friendly work environment.
With everyone contributing, even a small step taken by the entire population can have a monumental impact. Wadih's goal isn't to save the world, but simply live guilt-free, and give back.