Bjorn’s journey: From tech entrepreneur to brand ambassador

MANILA, Philippines - When Xend founder and CEO Bjorn Pardo entered the room an hour before the start of a press event that would launch him as Globe Platinum’s newest ambassador, he had that kind of shy charm that is uncharacteristic of a company CEO, but you cannot miss the familiar look of a tech entrepreneur   casual, almost boyish and quietly confident.

This was the same young man, who, in the early days of the Web had made a killing selling stuff on eBay, dropped out of school, rode the wave and found his own place under the tech sun.

Like most entrepreneurs, he saw a need and a way to fill it, almost instantly becoming a man with a mission and his company, an accidental innovator.

People who took to the e-commerce bandwagon early on would remember the days when buyers and sellers would meet up in mall parking lots and other meeting places to trade goods after completing the online transaction. Shipping parcels and packages were not only difficult but crude.

Bjorn recalled these days, saying small online sellers everywhere were on the same boat. As the online market was expanding rapidly, the industry knew it needed to address the pain points of delivery quickly if it wants to take advantage of the emerging e-commerce gold rush.

That was 11 years ago. Today Xend, which specializes in e-commerce logistics, delivers parcels in more than 230 countries, simplifying package shipping “from two hours to two minutes to two seconds,” according to the website.

“It’s definitely not easy,” he said, referring to how he put up Xend in 2004 as an international logistics and courier service with a strong value proposition — it can pick up, pack and deliver items anywhere in the world at competitive rates. 

This, he gauged correctly, will free up time for small business owners like himself, who, instead of laboring over menial tasks, could have more time for family, a situation he knows too well (he is married with four kids).

“We wanted to help other entrepreneurs run their business and that’s what definitely drives us every day,” he shared in a video message.

At that time he founded the company, he has one courier. Last year, Xend signed up its 200,000th shipper and delivered its five millionth parcel.

Bjorn’s success in business has made him become a sort of role model and inspiration. “That’s probably the most fulfilling part, the fact that I was not only able to put up my own company but also help others achieve success in theirs,” he said.

“I can definitely say that my family is the source of my entrepreneurial drive,” he added.

Now, the newly appointed president of the Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines is also Globe Platinum’s brand ambassador.

Dan Horan, Globe Telecom senior advisor for consumer business group, officially welcomed Bjorn to the Globe Platinum family at a time when the brand is undergoing a refresh and pushing the boundaries of the digital experience.

“He is a true entrepreneur. He is incredibly successful. He is also somebody I know who travels a lot,” he said. “We are very proud to have Bjorn as part of the Globe family.”

The Xend founder and CEO admits that he is a frequent traveler — both for business and for the family — and has a need to be always connected. “Its perfect, it makes sense. I can’t live without my phone,” he said.

Kaisie Del Carmen, Globe Platinum’s marketing brand director, said Bjorn’s success in the online business extends to every part of his lifestyle. “So we make sure he’s always inspired and connected to everything and everyone he loves,” she said.

Part of the perks of being a Globe Platinum subscriber include being a priority in all Globe stores, 24x7 international concierge service, access to more than 800 airport lounges, a dedicated hotline, and the services of well-trained relationship managers.

Bjorn joins Tessa Prieto-Valdez and chef JP Anglo of Sarsa Kitchen and Bar as the faces of Globe Platinum.

Speaking in a video message during the launch, JP could have spoken for Bjorn and other role models out there: “Success is when you make everyone around you feel better, when everyone is on the same page when everyone understands what you are trying to do and that’s not easy. I should be more than just a chef, I can inspire and motivate. I need to do more of that.”