By Karen and Angela
March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality around the world. As we reflect on the inspiring women who have made a difference in our lives, we want to take a moment to share how Eva, co-founder of BusUp, has made a big impact on me. Eva’s vision and dedication in building a successful transportation company have been a source of inspiration for me. Her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have taught me that anything is possible with hard work and determination. We are honored to have the opportunity to share her story with the world. So without further ado, let’s dive into the journey of Eva Romagosa and how she has become a trailblazer in the transportation industry.
Driven by her passion for innovation, Eva Romagosa spent 15 years as an innovation consultant, working with various sectors and technologies. However, she yearned to build something of her own and see it grow. This inspired her to take the leap and co-found BusUp.
Overcoming Challenges
Eva Romagosa is a risk-taker, and it is evident in her entrepreneurial journey. When asked about the biggest risk she has taken in her career, she mentioned quitting her consulting job to pursue her passion for entrepreneurship. It was a bold move, one that required leaving the comfort and security of a stable job to start on a journey full of uncertainty and challenges.
When sharing her journey as a founder and the challenges she faced in getting BusUp off the ground, one of the biggest challenges she encountered was finding the right product-market fit in a growing market. This challenge made the team pivot several times in the first two years before they found the right fit. But once they did, the rest was easier.
As a result of her dedication and hard work, the company has grown from a seed company to a full-grown scaleup operating in six countries. Growing 20% QoQ and is close to profitability in a highly competitive market. As a founder, Eva has worn many hats and set a solid foundation for future sustainable growth in every area she has worked in.
Lessons and Advice
Eva’s journey has not been without its unexpected lessons. She has learned that as a founder, there is only so much one can do as an individual “As a founder, you must wear many hats at different stages of the company and my biggest achievement so far is to have been able to do that, to set a solid foundation for future sustainable growth in every area I have worked in”. She also mentions that the most important job a founder can do is to find and engage the right team and coach them and empower them so they can grow and make the company grow alongside them.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice Eva has received is not to rush things. In the startup world, speed is crucial, but rushing things without considering the consequences can lead to critical mistakes that will slow down progress. As Eva puts it, “Vísteme despacio que tengo prisa” – a Spanish saying that means “haste makes waste”.
When asking for advice for other women who are interested in starting their businesses, particularly in industries that are traditionally male-dominated, emphasized that women often set high standards for themselves, both personally and professionally. However, she believes that trying to do everything on your own can lead to burnout. Instead, Eva recommends setting priorities and delegating tasks to others to achieve a better work-life balance.
Balancing her personal and professional life has been a crucial factor in her success as an entrepreneur. According to her, the most crucial decision one can make in their life is choosing the right life partner. When you have a supportive and understanding partner, not only will your work-life balance become more manageable, but it will also enhance your personal and professional growth.
Reshaping Mobility
Looking ahead, Eva’s goals and aspirations for BusUp are to keep growing steadily and reach profitability in the short term. With the corporate mobility sector experiencing tremendous growth, Romagosa envisions countless opportunities for aggressive expansion once BusUp achieves profitability.
Eva’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing your passion. It reminds us that nothing worth having comes easy and that sometimes, we must take a leap of faith to achieve our dreams. We are proud of being part of Eva’s and Busup journey on reshaping mobility.
