While going to college for the first time is often an exciting and nerve-wracking experience, the actual process of moving in can be a nightmare.
At least, it was for cousins Shanil Wazirali and Sagar Hemani.
Although the two men went to different universities at separate times, both of them shared a similar, blunder-filled move-in-day experience. Despite multiple trips to big box retailers leading up to the big move, both Wazirali and Hemani found themselves frantically running around trying to buy essential items they had inadvertently left off their shopping lists.
“Sagar's mom had suggested, ‘What if you could have everything in a box and just delivered right to you?’” Wazirali recalled.
That thought seems to have stuck. By 2013, the two had co-founded a business together to begin planning for a college dorm delivery platform.
Their company, Roomify, removes the stress of purchasing college living essentials like toiletries and bedding on move-in day by offering coordinated packages in a box that can be delivered directly to your door.
“We noticed people were beginning to launch their own brands in spaces of necessities, like Warby Parker and Dollar Shave Club,” said Wazirali. “How come the college space doesn’t have a brand? We thought this could be a bigger opportunity. College students spend over $20 billion on products. We produce our own products and developed a concept of delivering in a box.”
By creating their own brand of items, consumers are able to save hundreds of dollars, Wazirali said. For instance, Roomify’s largest package — the “Doin It Big” option — sells on their site for $299 and includes 42 items like pillows, blankets, a shower caddy, laundry hamper, trash can and bulletin board. Wazirali estimated that if you were to go to Target and pick out the same 42 items, you’d spend over $600. The site includes 80 package combinations to choose from with customizable color options.
Roomify went to market nationally in 2015 as Dormitup.com, but Wazirali said when they started to gain a reputation as a dorm room-exclusive retailer, they changed the name to Roomify in a move to appeal to all college students. The full rebranding will take place this May, he said.
Following a seed round last April and advice from an advisor, Wazirali and Hemani relocated their Dallas-based startup to Austin to begin scaling.
Wazirali said that as soon as they moved here, they met with several key players in Austin tech, including the founders of Favor and The Zebra.
“All of those founders are super helpful," said Wazirali. "Even though they are much bigger than us, they are ready to help and answer any questions that we weren’t able to get in a place like Dallas.”
Over the next few months, Wazirali has his hands full. He said the company plans to meet with the design teams from Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters to design exclusive Roomify lines, launch a new website in conjunction with the rebrand, look to close a second seed round, hire executive roles, and partner with the University of Texas for local events and student-held roles in customer service.
Image provided by Roomify.
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