Jessica Löfström, founder and CEO of Expand More. Photo: Anders Ahlgren
Who do you think will get the entrepreneur price SvD Business Bragd? Vote here!
They were not as fond when she was 16 years then went into the construction business with his staffing company, which until then had rented out demonstratriser, receptionists and technicians. Then it was completely different emotions surged.
The story is well known, not least because she even last year was nominated to SvD Business Bragd, but Jessica Löfström had already pushed the two companies when she started Expand More. She had early dreams of becoming a CEO of a major corporation. But with “not even particularly good” grades from upper secondary business studies, it was not so easy.
– So then I start my own company.
Jessica Löfström started by selling moose souvenirs to tourists but it was difficult to make it grow. So it became a company focused on selling wild game under the name “Wild Kitchen” as she finally got Dagab to bite on. But then she got tired. Instead, she went on to rent the butiksdemonstratriser she hired in the kitchen Game to other companies. More professionals added to the business, and when one of the employees fitters wanted Jessica Löfström would hire him out to construction companies, and she saw the social structure of the construction industry, said it clicks.
– I realized that it is an industry that really suitable for temporary staff, it is the construction industry. Large projects that require a lot of specialized staff in less time. We can help to make it more even burden on both companies and employees.
Jessica Löfström thought everyone would cheer. It did not. The construction industry has been characterized by many project positions, and a culture where it is common to lose the job depends on the employer’s temporary occupancy. A precarious labor market has created a strong union.
– And I really appreciate it. Now I understand it, she says.
I was a young, cocky girl and when I meet resistance I become even tougher. It’s very provocative to 50 year old men.
But then it was war. For several years blocked the construction activity and Jessica Löfström when young and single people without children in a studio in Tumba, got terminate all employees, sell his horse and take extra jobs to run the company’s contravention of the Rules of Court. The so-called Laval verdict in 2005 gave downwind and finally got her to sign a tie-in with the building. (A tie means that an employer has signed a collective agreement with a trade union, editor’s note). It made Jessica Löfström could employ and take up the business again. 2007 signed the collective agreement with a real building, and now give their employees paid wages under the construction contract. Since then, the Group’s sales have grown 28-90 million.
Expand More has now been followed by such Uniflex, Helpman and Pema. You have created a new niche industry.
– Yes, we really, she says. Today I meet ombudsmen from the building who are impressed by what we have done. It is the largest elogen. It feels so awful, bloody funny.
Your entrepreneurship is punctuated by a lot of conflict. What would you do if?
– I would not go to war with one of the world’s strongest unions again, not in the way I did. I was a young, cocky girl and when I meet resistance I become even tougher. It’s very provocative to 50 year old men. They were afraid. And when people get scared they are slightly stupid. I would not use it provocative, harsh jargon of the day, but go much smoother front.
What is your driving force?
– I’m extremely stubborn and I has a very strong fair pathos. I get a lot of energy of challenging things I think are unfair, so that is not good.
What did you not give up?
– I saw an idea that would make the whole system in the construction industry much better. I seriously thought that everyone, even the union, would see it. But when I asked how the building could think it was good that they sent out 40 builders in unemployment simply because they refused to sign a collective agreement with me and they said, “we will sacrifice a few for the sake of it.” You know, then …
She does not end the sentence. But continue:
– I get such force that I know I’m doing something that I know is good. Then I can not to any say no.
What does role models?
– In the beginning, I saw almost none, except Antonia (Ax: son Johnson , editor’s note) then. Today we see Cristina Stenbeck, Annika Falkengren, Gunilla von Platen and more. In 2004, when it was at its heaviest, I listened to a lecture by Monica Lindstedt, who started Hemfrid, when she told me about her entrepreneurial journey, which is very similar to mine. Then I thought that if she could, I’ll do it too.
Ulrika Fjällborg
Other candidates and vote here!
Who should get the prize SvD Business Bragd?
Jessica Löfströms three advice to entrepreneurs / potential entrepreneurs:
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Do not be afraid to change industry or the court if the product is not selling.
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Out to customers immediately. Do not sit at home and hone in on the product until you think that is clear. It is the customer who must like it. Let them be involved along the way – so you know that you make a product they want.
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If you can not sell – do not start companies. Running a business means a constant sales work.
Photo: Anders Ahlgren
Profile | Jessica Löfström
Company: Expand More – construction staffing and recruitment.
Founded: Year 2000.
Number of employees: about 150 and about a month nearly 200 people.
Revenue: 2015 about 90 million. This year’s budget set for a turnover of SEK 120 million.
Business: Building, construction and installation industry niche staffing agency. Mainly in Sweden, has begun an expansion in Norway and Finland in 2016.
If SvD Business Bragd
2014 instituted price to pay attention and direct the spotlight on Swedish entrepreneurship.
SvD want with the price highlight good examples and inspire others to dare to invest in their business idea. The idea is that the price will go to a person or group that has made a meritorious achievement in business that can be linked to the efforts made in recent years. Last year the prize went to Spotifygrundarna Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon.
This year’s prize will be awarded in May in connection with the opening of SM in UF business in Stockholm. SvD Business Bragd presented in collaboration with Carnegie.
SvD’s jury in 2016
Sophia Bendz, investor and professional board member.
His Dalborg, honorary chairman of Nordea.
Mernosh Saatchi, president Humblestorm.
Thomas von Koch, CEO of EQT.
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, chairman of the Swedish Venture Capital Association.
Björn Jansson, CEO of Carnegie.
Gunilla Asker, CEO Svenska Dagbladet.
Alexander Husebye, president Center for Business History.
Maria Rimpi, editorial director SvD.
Who do you think will get the entrepreneur price SvD Business Bragd? Vote here!
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