Anymaster has swiftly become a key player in the DIY and professional services market, driven by innovative strategies and strategic collaborations.
In this second part, we continue our talk with the Founder and CEO, Diana Verkhoturova, about strong collaborations and future plans.
Originating from creative social media content, Anymaster’s viral video “5 Things to Buy in Superhome” attracted significant attention, leading to a partnership with Superhome Center. By integrating its services into Superhome’s customer service, Anymaster expanded to all six Superhome stores in Cyprus by the end of 2023 and partnered with other major retailers like Mangas, Mr. Bricolage, and Leroy Merlin.
These collaborations have enhanced customer satisfaction by reducing delivery and assembly times from seven days to just one. Anymaster’s platform also appeals to businesses such as offices, restaurants, and hotels by offering multiple competitive bids for services and streamlining accounting processes, consolidating payments to a single supplier.
For service professionals, Anymaster provides a user-friendly platform to manage administrative tasks and secure steady job opportunities, with some professionals earning over 5,000 euros per month by working only 3–4 days a week. The platform’s ease of use and essential invoicing tools have garnered loyalty and appreciation from the professional community.
Looking ahead, Anymaster plans to expand through a franchise model, starting in Athens, and explore additional service verticals such as medical services and property management. By diversifying offerings and forging strategic partnerships, Anymaster aims to solidify its position as a leader in the on-demand services marketplace, both domestically and internationally. Through continued innovation and dedication to excellence, Anymaster empowers service professionals and enhances customer experiences, driving its ongoing success.
Collaborations are on the horizon
You have collaborations with big names from the DIY sector in Cyprus. How did these collaborations come about? Should we expect more in the future?
Our collaborations with major names in the DIY sector in Cyprus stem from a strategic blend of creativity and effective growth hacking. Initially, as we were striving to attract our first users, we turned to short video content on platforms like Instagram to build brand awareness. Our strategy involved creating 18 monthly reels, featuring valuable content such as home maintenance tips, decor ideas, and repair hacks.
One particularly successful video was a “5 Things to Buy in Superhome” shop tour, which went viral, garnering 120,000 views. This caught the attention of the Superhome Center team, who reached out to us for further collaboration. Following this, we met with their General Director and arranged to place an Anymaster kiosk after the cashier in their Limassol store. This kiosk allowed Superhome clients needing assembly services to register and create orders through our platform.
The success of this initial setup led to a deeper integration of Anymaster into Superhome’s customer service process. We tailored our app for their store’s customer service and trained their employees to use it. By the end of 2023, all six Superhome stores in Cyprus were onboarded, and in early 2024, we expanded our partnerships to include Mangas, Mr. Bricolage, and Leroy Merlin.
Looking ahead, we see great potential in partnering with other major players, such as IKEA. With Anymaster, the average time for delivery and assembly in large stores can be reduced from around seven days to just one day, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. We believe that more such collaborations are on the horizon, further solidifying Anymaster’s position in the market.
You offer services not only to individuals but also to businesses such as offices, restaurants, and hotels. Were they easy to approach?
Approaching businesses such as offices, restaurants, and hotels involves a longer onboarding process compared to individual clients, but once they start using Anymaster, they quickly become loyal users. Businesses often struggle to find trusted professionals promptly, especially given their frequent service needs. Anymaster addresses this by providing multiple offers for each order, ensuring competitive pricing and transparency that businesses can easily justify to management.
Additionally, businesses benefit from dedicated support from our team, helping them select the best professional for each job. Anymaster also simplifies accounting processes, as businesses can consolidate payments to a single supplier—us—instead of managing multiple vendors. This streamlines procurement and enhances accounting transparency, making it easier for businesses to focus on their core operations without the hassle of managing numerous service providers.
How do specialists benefit from using your platform?
Specialists benefit immensely from using Anymaster, as our platform was designed with their needs in mind from day one. Initially focusing on clients, we quickly realized the importance of creating a comprehensive solution for service professionals. Many of these masters excel in their crafts offline, but struggle with the administrative and digital aspects of managing their businesses.
Anymaster addresses these challenges by offering a seamless, user-friendly platform that simplifies job management, client tracking, and communication. The platform includes essential invoicing tools, allowing professionals to manage their finances efficiently. This focus on user experience has garnered widespread appreciation from the professional community.
Moreover, Anymaster provides specialists with a steady stream of job opportunities. Some of our active and loyal masters earn over 5,000 euros per month by working just 3–4 days a week. They receive hundreds of positive reviews, building a strong public portfolio that enhances their reputation and attracts more clients.
In essence, Anymaster empowers service professionals to focus on their craft while we handle the administrative burdens, significantly boosting their income and professional growth.
“Don’t be shy”
From your experience, what will your advice be for young entrepreneurs?
From my experience, here is my advice for young entrepreneurs:
1. Be Honest with Yourself: Understand that entrepreneurship is about solving problems every day. It’s a constant challenge, and it doesn’t get easier. Embrace this reality and prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
2. Seek Advice, but Think Independently: While seeking advice is valuable, remember that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Use the advice as a guide, but always analyse and adapt it to your unique situation. Trust your instincts and judgment.
3. Believe in Yourself: Confidence is key. Believe in your vision and your ability to make it a reality. Self-doubt can be a significant barrier, so maintain your confidence, even in the face of setbacks.
4. Be Creative and Innovative: Creativity can set you apart from the competition. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and explore unconventional solutions. Innovation often comes from taking risks and trying new approaches.
5. Don’t Be Shy: Networking and building relationships are crucial. Don’t hesitate to put yourself out there, seek partnerships, and ask for help when needed. Building a strong support network can be invaluable.
Remember, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay resilient, adaptable, and open to learning, and you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come your way.
Where do you see the company in the next years in terms of services, market presence, and impact?
In the coming years, we envision significant growth and expansion for Anymaster, driven by our ambitious goals and strategic initiatives.
Firstly, we aim to expand our market presence through a franchise model, leveraging partnerships with local entrepreneurs in different countries and cities. Our successful collaboration with large retailers, such as DIY and furniture stores, serves as a blueprint for this approach. For instance, we are set to enter the Athens market this summer, capitalizing on partnerships with major chains in the region. The scalability of our model is evident, as partnering with international chains offers a gateway to new markets and opportunities.
Furthermore, we see potential in diversifying our service offerings and exploring additional marketplace verticals. Interest from providers of medical services highlights the versatility of our software, which can be easily adapted and rebranded for various industries. This presents an opportunity to collaborate with large businesses, offering our platform as a white-label solution. Property management companies and international DIY store chains are among the potential partners we aim to engage with.
Overall, our vision for Anymaster entails not only expanding our footprint in existing markets but also diversifying our services and forging strategic partnerships to maximize our impact. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, we are poised to solidify our position as a leader in the on-demand services marketplace, both domestically and internationally.
