Vanessa López from AFE Entrepreneur Consulting (Barcelona): "We transmit security and support"

01/03/2023

Interviews

Vanessa Lopez She has a degree in Administration and Finance from the Barcelona Industrial School and a diploma in Business Sciences from the University of Barcelona, in addition to holding a Master of Business Administration from the EAE Business School. After 20 years of work, he has extensive experience in financial services, accounting, marketing and new business development, and since April 2020 he has been the director of AFE Asesoría de Emprendedores in Barcelona. Vanessa leads the second generation of advisors after taking the generational baton that her father bequeathed to her.

What has it been like for you to take control of the family business in such a delicate moment as 2020?

It was an important and beautiful challenge, even though it was a complicated moment due to the current situation, the entire team was rowing in the same direction and we continued forward.

Do you think this change of managers in companies is easier when it is done from parents to children?

I wouldn't say that it is more complicated but that it is very different, clients trust the advisor who has been with them for years, has left them and now they must place their trust in a new person. It is about transmitting security and support.

What do you think of the new quotas for self-employed workers? Do you think this system benefits self-employed people with low incomes?

As for the self-employed with low incomes, they will continue to pay, in some cases, practically the same and in other specific cases I consider that a priori it benefits them but in the medium/long term they will be affected.

How has this change in quotes affected your client portfolio? Do you think the volume of work for your consultancy will increase due to the change in fees that is planned annually?

This change practically affects the majority of clients, a priori it is not an issue that worries too much because the client already has this monthly expense to a greater or lesser extent. Yes, I foresee that the volume of advice will increase considerably, not only due to the modification of self-employed quotas, but also due to other social and economic factors.

The minimum vital income has caught society's attention because in principle it was reaching a small percentage of the population, less than expected. Now they have legislated around the compatibility of the minimum vital income with work income. Do you think that in this way we will be able to talk about a benefit within the reach of those who need it most?

That is what I would like, I have had visitors in the office interested in granting the IMV, we have requested it from people with barely any income and they have never received it, we have even presented appeals. For now, to this day they still do not perceive it.

It's been a year since the labor reform came into force, how has this first year of changes in your consultancy gone? Do you think it has meant a real improvement for workers?

Honestly, in that sense it has been a hard year for the self-employed and micro-businesses, as well as for SMEs. There are gaps in this field that can be improved, so far we have not perceived any reliable improvement for workers.

Is it viable to implement teleworking in its hybrid model in your consultancies or, on the contrary, is it necessary to continue 100% in person to serve clients?

It is a topic susceptible to study. Our mission is based on providing a personalized and trustworthy service to the client. For them, it is important to advise and resolve incidents in a particular way and evaluating each of the cases. By this I mean personalized treatment, dedicating time and attention to trusted people.

In your opinion, has it negatively affected companies? You are in permanent contact with them, how do they experience it?

In my opinion, I consider that some incidents are not resolved if not in person. In some specific cases it is practical, in others depending on the issue to be solved it can take time.

Who would you say is a potential client in your consultancy? What would you say you are specialized in?

Our client is anyone who needs advice to start their activity and seeks support for its development and evolution. At a particular level, our clients are those who seek solutions in any area related to administrative, bureaucratic and fiscal issues. Our specialty is supporting clients for the good development and evolution of their business.

Finally, what would you ask the Mutual Fund so that you can improve the service you provide to your clients?

It would be interesting to collaborate together to be able to offer more closeness and trust to the client regarding the issues managed by the Mutual Fund.