1Point Commerce (1PC)

Faeq Tadros is the founder and CEO of 1Point Commerce. He graduated from California State University – Fresno in 1982 with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering.  Working in his father’s shop at the age of 10, Faeq enjoyed buying and selling. For the last 20 years, he has worked on developing a solution to the problems associated with trading across borders. The solution connects countries through trade, makes global commerce local, and local companies global to buy, sell and grow.   He is optimistic in his platform's ability to elevate SMEs through world trade enabling them to grow and prosper. Prior to starting 1Point Commerce, Faeq was the managing director of Al-Amlak, a real estate investment and land development company in Jordan. He was also the president of the Central California Investment Group – a real estate brokerage and investment firm.

1PC bridges the gap between buyers and suppliers by solving problems faced by both parties. SMEs face the challenge of affording/maintaining an online presence and gaining online exposure while buyers spend 3-8 months before the point of purchase searching for the best product. Buyers and suppliers with language differences cannot carry out negotiations and the lack of supporting services limits both parties in completing trade deals with ease and certainty. 

1PC is a global b2b e-commerce platform, designed for suppliers to showcase their products online and for buyers to make calculated decisions when purchasing the most competitive products from suppliers worldwide. Buyers view, compare, negotiate, and purchase the products they need using our simple numeric-negotiation system created to minimize language barriers as an alternative to face-to-face negotiations. Our network of supporting services help members add products, find the best product, complete trade deals, and expand into new markets.

“In 2018, the global trade value of goods exported throughout the world amounted to approximately 19.5 trillion U.S. dollars” (UNCTAD, 2018). However, every year, 7-10% of trade deals are not completed due to language barriers alone resulting in a loss of over 2 trillion dollars (Elsevier, 2010). Suppliers are struggling more than ever to keep up with ever-changing global markets and demands. These problems become monumental for SMEs who have limited resources and the absence of an online presence to gain international exposure, hindering their participation in the global economy. 

There is a huge opportunity to increase international trade volume. A 1% increase in international trade translates into 1.9 Billion Dollars. Each 1 Billion Dollars translates into an average increase of 26,500 jobs. In the US, 1 Billion in trade creates 6000 jobs (International Trade Administration, 2016), while in Jordan the same 1Billion creates 47,000 jobs (International Trade Center, 2018). 

We are solving the problems for buyers and suppliers. Buyers need to purchase competitive products from suppliers everywhere, and suppliers need to increase their sales locally, regionally, and internationally.

1PC is a global B2B platform with a physical presence in cities worldwide delivering a solution for SMEs of raw material suppliers, manufacturers, service providers, and traders to increase sales/exports, and for buyers to purchase the most competitive products from suppliers worldwide. We also provide buyers and suppliers with all the supporting services they need to complete deals and expand into new markets at minimal cost and risk.

The platform uses international standards to provide the solution: Industrial Code categories, English as the language of international trade, US Dollar for price-comparison of products, a numerical negotiation system replacing face-to-face negotiations, and Country codes. These standards enable the inclusivity of all countries and all products from all suppliers worldwide, for buyers everywhere to view, compare, and negotiate trade deals with ease on products listed under specific categories, and make deals happen.

Before, during, and after deals are made, our network of representatives, associates, and traders assist buyers and sellers in completing trade deals.
We save buyers time and money in purchasing products from suppliers overseas from months to days.

Suppliers maximize sales and exports, open-up new markets, and fine-tune their global pricing and marketing strategies to acquire new buyers.

The 1Point Commerce platform serves SMEs of manufacturers, raw material suppliers, service providers, and wholesale traders, enabling them to be active in the global digital economy. We serve local communities by serving local manufacturers to increase their sales, translating to an increase in employment and a reduction in the poverty level.

We do this by working with appointed local representatives in cities worldwide who understand their local communities' needs. Local representatives understand how to navigate, approach, and invite SMEs to join and reap the benefits of the platform as they approach ministers of industry, industry associations, and chambers of commerce to show them the benefits of utilizing the platform for local businesses.

1PC’s sector-specific traders are available to assist members who are not tech or internet savvy in finding products from global suppliers.

1PC’s approach is human-centric, as we make a grassroots effort to connect with people and businesses in all localities, building a direct relationship between businesses and the platform.  Local businesses become part of the platform as members and become active in the global digital economy to buy, sell, and grow. 

1PC strives to include and support buyers and suppliers in all countries by delivering REAL value. This is done through our affordable online trading platform, providing a smoother trading journey with our online support system, and a user-friendly negotiation function for people of all languages. We are currently at a point where the trading industry is accelerating into the future whilst leaving behind people and businesses who still struggle to have an online presence. Even if they have one, it is costly to maintain alongside the major flaws in the current trading system that have not been solved.  

I wanted to buy building material for my real estate projects. To source materials from other markets was difficult and when I found suppliers it was difficult to contact them; when I would send them a letter, fax, telephone calls, mail and email, the responses were low. Many would hang up. It was difficult to get the information I needed. Those who didn’t speak English or Arabic were dead ends immediately. For those who do answer, you have no clue if you are buying/receiving the right products! To be able to buy the most competitive products, I needed to have all the suppliers’ information from all countries so that I could  see them, compare them, and negotiate with the ones that I filtered down.

Even with all the digital platforms hosting b2b companies today, these problems still remain! With online platforms there is lots of information, but to transform this information into knowledge that adds value to the buyers is very difficult. That’s where 1PC comes into the picture. We designed 1PC for buyers to make a calculated decision to purchase the most competitive products from suppliers everywhere. 

We elevate countries through trade and enable SMEs to become actively involved in the global digital economy to increase sales. Increasing sales translates into an increase in employment and a reduction in the poverty level. If I could do that, I did my part in moving economies into another dimension of prosperity.

If I could find a solution to the international trade problems, all humanity will benefit. A solution that positively affects all people economically and socially. As a buyer myself, I could not find a platform that solves problems faced by buyers, that simultaneously helps SMEs become global while having all the support in doing so. 

My personal frustration towards this issue and excitement towards finding a solution has led me to develop 1Point Commerce. 

I was born to be a buyer, I have been a trader since I was 10 years old growing up in Amman, Jordan. I loved buying and selling! I was helping my father in his shop, selling wheat, sugar, tea, barley, beans, corn, chicken feed, animal feed in downtown Amman, where all suppliers were stationed. I grew up hearing the buying and selling problems that neighboring shops faced. We were importers of products from Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, and Pakistan. We had quarries to supply the municipality with aggregates for paving the streets of Amman. I used to go to the post office 3 times a day to wait for letters from Japan, as one of my cousins was in Japan sourcing artificial leather for our shop and mailing us feedback regarding the artificial-leather manufacturers in Japan. We also used to supply local shoe manufacturers with leather manufactured in Jordan. We imported canvas from Pakistan to make tents and export them to Kuwait.

I was exposed to the world of International trade as a child in my father's shop.
When I began to look for building materials for my real estate projects, that is when I was confronted with a whirlwind of problems that buyers are facing every day, from language barriers and communication to security and inspection.

Although trading has gone digital through online trading platforms, the problems I faced as a 10-year-old child as well as in my real estate career remain to this day!

I began developing this project in 1998, 22 years ago. Back then, technology, the internet, and computers were still not adopted by the masses, web designers and developers were limited and very expensive. All of my personal investments went into phase 1 of this project. I believed in this project's ability to uplift SMEs and finally fill the massive gaps within the trading industry, so I gave this project my all.

People would tell me the whole operation is too big, and although the project was self-financed I never let the hard work, intensity, and scale of this project stop it from becoming a reality. I put one foot in front of the other even with all the setbacks. From gaining team members and expanding the 1PC community to losing team members due to financial restraints. From appointing representatives to filtering them out because they were not carrying out their jobs.

It was a one-man show, and I made sure to prove to my daughters and family that no matter the hardships and financial restraints, that perseverance will pay off, whether the outcome is a final product or the lessons learned along the way. 

My daughter answered this question

Real leadership is selflessness. Leadership is believing in your community and finding ways to uplift them even if it is at the expense of your own time and money - whether that community be your immediate family or the global digital economy. I have witnessed first-hand, the ups and downs of my father's journey on this project. A project that he believes can pool together SMEs globally, and elevate them through the support of 1Point Commerce.  

My father demonstrates strength through his vulnerability in sharing this project online with new people in hopes to expand it and help others. He showcases a positive attitude by never giving up -  his confidence towards 1PC drives him to persevere with this project despite financial setbacks and people's discouragement towards his vision. He is committed to achieving what he believes in, as his empathy towards people's struggles in this industry fuels his drive to make this project a reality.

As a father, a leader, he constantly supports me in achieving my goals. As the CEO of 1PC, a leader, he will always continue to support his company, his team, and his members in achieving their goals as well. 

1Point Commerce is a disruptor and a game-changer of international trade. The 1Point Commerce platform with all the supporting services of representatives, associates, and traders, transforms itself into the first global e-corporation for any company to use as its own. SMEs can use any service they need in any country they want to conduct business in and pay for that specific service.

1Point Commerce provides a b2b platform for suppliers to upload their products and gain exposure while providing buyers with the tools they need to filter through these products and services. Both parties have full support from our network of representatives, associates, and traders. The network acts as a boost to ensure that buyers and suppliers are utilizing the platform's tools to their fullest potential and connecting buyers with suppliers worldwide. Standard industrial codes are put in place to categorize products and assist buyers in filtering down the products they are looking for. The online numeral negotiation system is in place to allow for buyers and suppliers to carry out trade deals.

We shorten the buyer's journey to purchase products within a matter of days versus months. We eliminate the lengthy steps buyers usually take to purchase products through our categorization of products and the sorting of information provided by suppliers. A smooth negotiation process leads to an increase in buyers and suppliers finalizing deals. Support from our network allows for members to increase their trust in buying from markets overseas. By shortening the buying journey and exposing buyers to suppliers worldwide, we also shorten the selling journey for suppliers by maximizing their sales in world markets. Thus, we save buyers time and money in purchasing products and maximizing suppliers' sales and profits.

Our local presence adds an element of trust and our online tools allow for members to feel fully equipped on their buying and selling journeys. Thus, allowing for companies to become active in the global digital economy with a positive and confident attitude, therefore encouraging business deals to be made. Consequently, our platform increases the international trade volume for suppliers by bringing it as close as possible to the local trade volume. 

We are currently in a pre-launch phase and will be able to provide figures in 2021, after our launch.

We aim to have a presence in 50 cities within 18 months and 150 cities within 3 years.

Financial Barriers: The more markets we have a presence in, the more value we deliver to our members. If there is a need to have a presence in a specific country and we were unable to appoint a representative in that country within a short time, then we have to employ sales managers to act as representatives in that country. This requires financial resources to be able to move as fast as we need.

Technical Barriers: Until now, the only available payment system for international trade on a global basis is through banks. Banks’ fees are high. If we can provide a global payment solution to SMEs at a lower cost, then we add more value to our members in lowering their transaction costs.

Financial Barriers: Seeking investors as well as self-funding the operation. 

Technical Barriers: Still trying to find a solution that works for all people!

The Global Manchester Chamber of Commerce. They are going to represent 1Point Commerce in Manchester and by working with them, we will expand into other chambers across the UK.

We generate revenue from membership fees. Our business model combines the online and offline presence to deliver the anticipated value to our members in increased sales and savings on purchases.

The online presence is a website with the following features: Products for Sale, Products Wanted, Services Offered, Services Wanted, Liquidation, Tenders, and Agencies.

The offline presence consists of Representatives, Associates, and Traders. 

Representatives: Representatives share a social responsibility to elevate their local communities through trade, make local companies global, boost sales and exports, and increase employment. They Support members with their trade deal needs and assist local companies in using the platform to its fullest potential. We share our revenue with our local representatives. 

Associates: Associates provide services that enable our member companies to complete trade deals & expand into the associates' local markets at minimal cost and risk. 

Traders: Our international traders are sector-specific industry experts, finding you the best products at the best price from markets around the world. Together, they form the International Traders Network (ITN). They save time by sourcing products demanded by local buyers at the best price and work with our Representatives to assist members who are new to the online market. The ITN continuously works to help businesses grow globally. Traders pay a 1% commission on completed deals. 

Affiliates: Receive 20% commission for each new member they introduce to 1Point Commerce and 10% for each membership renewal.

Membership Options

The platform offers 3 types of membership options: 

Standard Membership - Open for All : US $795 per year.

Performance-Based - Suppliers Only - : Start by only paying a US $275 activation fee of $1695. The balance of $1420 is due after the completion of the members first deal.

Commission Based - Manufacturers Only: US $275 per year + 1% Commission until the total payment reaches US $795. 

We project to have a minimum of 10,000 companies joining as members within 3 years, 100,000 members in 5 years, and 1 million members in 10 years. With these figures, we achieve financial sustainability. 

So far, the project has been self funded by the founder and will only be able to generate revenue 6 months after the official launch in January 2021. 

LinkedIn, Twitter, HubSpot and other strategic partners such as chambers of commerce and industry associations. 

These platforms carry a huge global network and database of business people. By accessing the users of these platforms and organizations, we can expand into more markets at a shorter time.