His story is an inspiring example of youthful ambition and passion for technology, which became the foundation of a fascinating journey through the world of business. It is also a story of courage and perseverance in achieving goals in the dynamic environment of consumer electronics retail.
Editorial: Mr. Jakub, you started your business journey extremely early. How did it happen that at such a young age you became interested in business, especially connected with consumer electronics?
Jakub Tomasiczek: For as long as I can remember, I was a gadget geek and was drawn to technological novelties – it's probably genetic. All the men in my family are like that, maybe I'm a bit more than the rest ;). Already in middle school, every Sunday I would go early in the morning to the electronics market in search of novelties, mainly smartphones. I wanted to play with them a bit and within a week or two trade them for something new. Many times, however, I managed to buy and sell within 10 minutes at the other end of the market. Good times, and that's probably when I started to get absorbed in all of it.
Can you tell us about your stay in China? What made you decide to go there?
In high school I imported electronics from the USA, mainly laptops. I managed to save quite a decent sum from it, especially for those times. I had zero knowledge about China, only stereotypical ideas. I thought that for a few dollars I would buy a container of electronics and bring it to Poland. I kept mentioning this idea to my parents from time to time, having absolutely no idea how everything looked there. Just before my high school final exams, my dad flew on a trip to Beijing. His return flight was delayed by 72 hours, and he was accommodated in a hotel together with other Poles who, as it later turned out, were studying in China. He liked their stories about student life in China so much that he called me still from Beijing asking whether I had seriously meant that trip to China, because if so, he would gladly support me in that idea. And that's how it all began.
What experience did you gain in China and how did it influence your later business activities?
China is a completely different world, different realities, a different scale. Over the years China has undergone a huge transformation. I watched how products associated with low quality grew into a technological power. I could observe it from the inside on all levels, from the design stage to production lines and sales departments. Changes happen there at an unimaginable pace. Most important, however, was getting to know the local culture, language, and how important relationships are in China. It was language and relationships that probably influenced all my later activities the most. The Chinese have their own term for it: "Guanxi."
In China you ran various business activities, from electronics trading to the production of technological motorcycle gear. What challenges did you encounter in running these businesses?
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is communication – a completely different language and culture. Knowledge of Mandarin is incredibly useful. Apart from the obvious fact that we can communicate more easily, we are treated completely differently. The Chinese really like to test our business experience – as soon as they sense that we have no idea about something, they immediately use it. Without experience, it is very easy to fall into a trap. You have to be very precise. For example, if we do not ask about the certification needed when importing a given product, we will find out about it only from customs officers, and by then it is already a problem. If we do ask, it is worth making sure that everything is really fine, that it is not sometimes a Photoshop fake. Of course, the more serious the company, the fewer such problems there are, but even so, knowledge of Mandarin means that right from the start we emphasize that we are not a random pick and we are treated much more seriously.
In 2016 you returned to Poland and founded JBTS, specializing in the distribution of Chinese consumer electronics brands. What was the main motivation for founding this company?
As I mentioned earlier, while living in China I observed at what incredible pace the country was changing. Practically overnight, Chinese companies began to emerge that technologically, in quality, and in design overtook Western brands. Products started to appear that were not only better, but also completely unknown in Europe. Every time I flew from China to Poland, I brought some new gadget that all my friends immediately wanted. Having knowledge of both the Chinese and Polish markets, we accurately assessed what Polish consumers were looking for and what Chinese giants needed for expansion in Europe. We tried to satisfy the needs of both sides.
Techwish.pl is the result of all your business activities. What inspired you to create this platform?
For years we worked in the shadow of big brands and retail chains. We searched for products, introduced them to the market, created marketing strategies, and handled all warranty service. Dozens of real technology bestsellers are the result of our work, which we brought on a platter. You could say that we handled all the "dirty work," which was often underappreciated or, worse, we inspired ready-made trending solutions that soon appeared on shelves, but unfortunately not from us. We decided that since for years we have been introducing the hottest products to the market that Polish customers love, why not try our hand at retail, delivering the product to the end customer.
Can you tell us about the stages of Techwish.pl's development, from the first pilot store to a network of 40 stationary points in 2024? What difficulties had to be overcome?
From the beginning we wanted to give our customers the opportunity to become familiar with products and test them before purchase, bringing them closer to little-known gadgets and enabling conversation with professional staff. Aiming to sell products in stationary locations at the best possible prices, in conditions of galloping inflation and increasingly difficult business conditions, we had to introduce completely new solutions on the market. We created probably the first chain of stores with smart everyday solutions placed in shipping containers, to which we gave a second life. The containers were heavily modified, introducing a number of unique solutions, such as Techwish Point – a solution for the severely limited space in a container and an ever-growing assortment. It is an interactive screen that allows browsing the offer of all available products on the spot and making a direct purchase on it. Thanks to this solution, the customer gains many benefits. They have access to product descriptions, a virtual advisor, a range of convenient and secure payments, and no longer has to keep any receipts or invoices in case of warranty problems. All they need to do is provide their email address at any location, and our service will take care of the rest. This groundbreaking solution allowed us to scale even faster. Thanks to Techwish Point, we were able to establish cooperation with partners and quickly increase the number of points where all goods from Techwish.pl can be ordered, as well as walk in from the street and buy goods available immediately. The stationary points additionally offer a range of extra services, such as our cooperation with ZbitaSzybka, where fantastic service helps with practically all issues related to Apple products.
You are focused on product quality and customer experience. What specific steps do you take to ensure these values for Techwish.pl customers?
We start from the product, which is the essence of our approach. We have always focused on quality so that our customers are satisfied with their purchase, regardless of which product it is. Our goal is to ensure that our products offer the most in their price range. Unlike large electronics stores, we do not offer dozens of models of various products, which can confuse customers. Instead, we prefer to have a curated selection across different price ranges and functions, but we always make sure the products are high quality and customers are satisfied with their purchase.
We have a very experienced team in China that constantly searches for novelties, and then in Poland we conduct the process of testing and selecting products. We want our customers to have the best possible shopping experience, without the stress of uncertainty about quality or delivery. Our mission is to create a place where customers can be sure that the product they choose will be high quality and that they will always have the opportunity to check it in person before purchase. In case of any warranty problems, we provide a convenient return procedure. We strive to ensure that our customers can enjoy peace of mind while shopping, knowing that they receive high-quality products they can always rely on.
How do you see the role of innovation in your business? What innovations are you introducing or planning to introduce to maintain competitiveness in the market?
Innovation is crucial for us. Already today, the formula in which we sell makes us a completely new shopping format. We believe that the consumer electronics market in Poland has been divided and heavily ossified for many years. We want to bring a breath of freshness. We have a lot of surprises planned that we think will surprise not only our customers but also the entire industry.
We have learned that your passions include extreme sports, travel, and photography. Do they influence your work at Techwish.pl in any way?
Yes, in most cases they are connected with each other. Trips and extreme sports strongly stimulate and refresh the mind. Photography, on the other hand, allows you to capture moments to which I like to return, to travel in time. New stimuli are crucial for me to stimulate creativity and find solutions. The human mind is lazy by nature and strives to create patterns so that certain things can be done mechanically, without burdening it. By entering situations that are new to it, we automatically force it to work. Traveling also gives the opportunity to see how the same things function elsewhere, in a different way, which often changes perspective.
What is your view on the future of technology, especially in the context of trends that may affect your business?
Technology has been of enormous importance since the beginning of human existence. Its purpose is to make our lives simpler. The development of technology accelerates greatly every year, and many solutions quickly become outdated, especially in the era of artificial intelligence. Today there is no possibility of long-term planning because the dynamics of change are too great. The key is rapid adaptation to the changing world and trends. However, I believe that areas related to artificial intelligence, behavioral analysis, ultra-modern logistics, supply chains, 3D printing, mobility, robotization, energy management, and augmented reality will be the main directions of our development.
As an expert on China, what prospects do you see for business cooperation between Poland and China in the context of new technologies and trade?
Poland can become one of the most important partners for China. Already today it plays a key role as a rail port for the rest of Europe. The human capital we have in Poland, with outstanding engineers and IT programmers, represents a huge opportunity, especially in the development of artificial intelligence. Of course, lower salary costs than in Western Europe, as well as a large, absorbent, and developing market, mean that Poland has a chance to be one of the most important partners for China.
Finally, what are your dreams and goals related to the future of Techwish.pl and your personal life?
Today, consumer electronics retail has a lot in common with a vegetable shop. You have to rotate goods quickly because they age very quickly. This means that this industry requires constantly keeping your finger on the pulse. I would like to arrange things so that I can take a six-month holiday without a phone or emails. I have long been planning a motorcycle route from Poland to China.
