Sponsored by VIVABCN.
Inca and Victoria Coates of VIVABCN.
This month for Entrepreneurs Explain we chatted with Victoria Coates, an expat that started VIVABCN, the only pet-friendly relocation company in Barcelona.
Today we’re speaking to Victoria Coates, the founder of VIVABCN, one of the most efficient and in-demand relocation services that’s been crushing it in the city for the last six years. If you’re in need of a NIE, an apartment or a government document, Vic’s got you covered… and fast. But speak to any of her clients, from UNIQLO, Cimpress, or LETGO and they will tell you that the real (!) brains behind the operation is her mini-sausage dog, Inca.
How did you get started?
It all began six years ago (or 42 in dog years); in search of sun and sea, Inca and I arrived in Barcelona from London. Having worked in the tech startup scene as well as large businesses in the city, and experienced the various challenges everyone goes through when relocating to a new and unfamiliar city, we decided to start our own business to help others, and their pets, who would need to go through the same processes. So, that’s what we set out to do, and that is how VIVABCN—the pet-friendly relocation company—was born.
Where did you get your name?
We came up with the name VIVABCN because it was a play on the words Victoria and Inca (VI) as well as representing our services about the city (“viva” means “live”) in Spanish.
We wanted to capture and convey the positive energy and creative spirit of Barcelona.
What does VIVABCN do?
Essentially, we help make the expat experience of relocating to Barcelona easy and enjoyable. From a company's perspective we support the HR team so their new staff member is ready to start work without any worries and can focus on their new job! For individuals and family we give a bespoke service that is professional and of the highest quality.
We are also the only relocation company in Barcelona that is pet-friendly with a pet’s perspective! In addition to the myriad variables involved in moving, there are many important questions regarding pets that no other relocation companies are able to help with such as obtaining pet passports and relevant regulations and we share our favorite parks and places to enjoy with your furry friends.
What specific ways do you add value?
After living in Barcelona for years, we have developed some unique insights and amassed numerous contacts across the city who are all on hand and readily available to cater to our clients’ legal and relocation needs, allowing you to make better use of your time on finding the best tapas and vino in the city. Areas we focus on include:
- Neighborhood and Home Search: Barcelona has many great places to live, but choosing the right neighborhood for you can be challenging. Convenience, location, mass transport options and schools are just some of the considerations that will influence your decision. But each neighborhood has its own character and finding just the right place in the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle is essential to shaping your new life here. VIVABCN offers hundreds of options in every neighborhood in Barcelona to help you find the perfect fit.
- The Right School for Your Kids: When it comes to education, Barcelona offers a wide variety of options. Finding the right school for your kids will depend primarily on how old your children are, which language(s) you’d like them to be taught in and how long you plan to live here. VIVABCN has years of experience helping parents find the right school for their children based on the criteria they set.
- Appropriate Vet for Your Pets: There are several great vets in the city. The one that Inca recommends, as she has personally used them for years is Clínica Veterinaria Port Vell (as they also have English speaking staff on hand). Feel free to chat with Inca for more details on available options.
- Pet-friendly Places: According to Inca, the best pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes in the city are: RedFish, Juice Dudes, Motel One, Roots and Rolls and Garage Beer.
- Helpful Local Apps: The apps in Barcelona that are most helpful to expats tend to be the ones for finding used furniture and products (such as Letgo.com), renting a car (such as Socialcar.com), Taxi service (Cabify.com) or getting food delivered at any hour (such as Glovo.com). However, helpful solutions are always popping up and the easiest way to stay abreast is to ask Victoria and/or Inca (online).
Does VIVABCN focus on individuals or corporate clients?
Both! Whether you are relocating your business and staff, bringing your family or—especially if—you are travelling on your own, you can rely on VivaBCN to make the move seamless and simple. VIVABCN even helps students; if you are relocating here to study we can help you find your dream home, set up a bank account and get your NIE.
VIVABCN has helped hundreds of professionals, families with pets and others looking to make Barcelona their new home.
What is your background? How do you stay so organized? Prior to VIVABCN did you advise clients with international presence and mobility?
I have 15 years of experience running advertising and marketing agencies in London, Sydney, and Barcelona at companies such as MandC Saatchi, AMV, Wieden and Kennedy, McCann Erickson. My client consulting work includes the global leading brands of BMW, Mini, RedBull, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Qantas, Sony and many more, so I understand what is needed to run a business effectively and efficiently.
How should someone contact VIVABCN?
Feel free to check out our website at vivabcn.co. Inca is the face that greets you when landing on the VIVABCN website; she also manages the VIVABCN chatbot and Instagram account: @vivabcn.co
We can be reached via email at info@vivabcn.me or send us a message via Whatsapp at +34.687.037.664
Sponsored by VIVABCN.