Many times, we have a dream in our heads. We say we want something, but life and not having a clear plan or the motivation to take action gets in the way, so we never do it.
Frat brothers from Clark Atlanta University decided to not let that be their outcome. After collaborating on some ideas, they chose to follow their dream of starting an alcohol delivery service.
With their energy on high, their minds focused on their idea, and their plan in motion, they set out to change the alcohol industry by creating the first Black alcohol delivery app. They envisioned being the Uber of alcohol delivery and they are certainly making a mark.
Meet Navarr and Mikael, the creators and innovators of the QuikLiq App.
1) It’s a wonderful thing when college friends can come together with their mindset and ambition to create a business. First, tell us a little about each of you, and then, what made you want to partner with each other? Lastly, what does it mean to you to be an HBCU graduate?
Navarr: I have a master’s degree in accounting from Clark Atlanta University. I also spent time studying abroad in China—receiving a 4.0 GPA during my matriculation at the University of International Business and Economics (Beijing). After college, I started a budding career as an auditor for the “Big 4” accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche.
Mikael: I also graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a degree in business administration and a concentration in supply chain management. After graduating from CAU, I went on to cut my teeth in the corporate world as an assistant buyer for the Target Corporation, where I managed a $400 million portfolio in the Household Commodities division and won various merchandising awards for performance. In 2015, after a successful career in corporate retail, I decided to try my hand in real estate. Quickly, I became a top-producer at a boutique Manhattan firm where I brokered several multi-million-dollar transactions, before ultimately deciding to work full-time for QuikLiq and lean all the way into my entrepreneurial dream.
Navarr: In college, Mikael and I pledged together, becoming members of Kappa Alpha Psi in 2008. We immediately became president and vice president of our chapter (Gamma Kappa), and we realized that we worked together really well. Even outside of our fraternity, we worked together as leaders in other on-campus organizations, such as Toastmaster’s International. After our success working together in college, the thought of starting a business together outside of college was pretty much a no-brainer! We knew that starting a business was going to be hard, but we also knew as longtime brothers and friends, that we would not let each other fail.
Mikael: Graduating from a prestigious HBCU like Clark Atlanta University is a dream come true; one of the best achievements of my life. There is so much history and pride that comes with an HBCU experience, and my time in college truly molded me into the successful person I am today. At Clark Atlanta, we were always taught that we were the cream of the crop, and we were gifted with the talent, ambition, and aptitude to transcend our community to amazing new heights. This institutional confidence continues to fuel me and Navarr to break down barriers and gives us the drive to create our own history and legacy through QuikLiq.
2) How did you come up with the idea to start a liquor delivery service?
Navarr: The idea for QuikLiq was truly a gift from God. Both Mikael and I had a desire to start a business that could create generational wealth for us and our families. After individually contemplating different ideas, we both had a “light-bulb moment”. One day, back in 2011, we each had an idea that we couldn’t wait to share with each other. We got on the phone to say our ideas and much to our surprise, we both (separately) came up with the same exact idea—an alcohol delivery service.
Mikael: I will never forget the moment Navarr is speaking of. I couldn’t believe that we each had the same idea, and had never discussed it or talked about anything like it. He is right, it had to be a gift from God. I mean, the idea just made so much sense. We realized that everything was starting to transition to digital platforms and on-demand services. People were starting to get everything delivered—food, clothing, etc., but there was no alcohol delivery service. So, we decided to change that.
3) During the pandemic, your app took off. What do you think it was about that time that made it take off?
Navarr: The pandemic was a huge test for many businesses, and hurt a lot of companies whose business models are heavily reliant on foot-traffic and physical customer interaction. On the flip side, for companies like ours with nimble, app-based business models, the limitations of the pandemic have only amplified the necessity for delivery services and creative eCommerce platforms. People just want comfort and convenience—especially in perilous or unpredictable times, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, our business really started thriving, because not only were we able to safely deliver our customer’s favorite adult beverages, but we were also able to help our liquor store partners stay in business by recovering all the sales they lost due to mandated store closures.
4) Your app is called QuikLiq. Tell us about the app, when it was developed, and how the delivery works?
Mikael: The QuikLiq App is available on iOS and Android devices. It is a unique, innovative mobile app that we spent almost 2 years building and perfecting. We officially launched the app in February 2022, and we are so proud of it. Customers are able to easily download the app, create a unique user profile, scroll through hundreds of wines, beers, and spirits, and get their orders delivered to them at home, work, on vacation, or at their social gatherings. We designed the app to be cool and user-friendly, and we believe we achieved this. Once an order is placed, our delivery process is automated so that the store receives the order, and one of our drivers delivers it to the customer within 45min. The other cool thing about our app is that we can deliver later than our competitors; in some areas, we will deliver to customers until 3 am.
5) Why did you think the app was a good idea and how does it benefit people?
Navarr: I believe that any good business idea must solve a problem. For us, we solve the problem of safety and convenience when it comes to finding, accessing, and transporting alcohol to our customers. The most important thing QuikLiq does is aid in the fight against drunk driving. By deploying sober drivers to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers, we eliminate the temptation for people who have already been drinking to get behind the wheel and make a “liquor run”. Not only does this benefit the customer, but it also benefits the communities we deliver in.
Mikael: Additionally, we take pride in helping antiquated liquor stores and small, “mom-and-pop” businesses establish a digital presence and reach a wider audience of consumers. Most small, independent liquor stores do not have sophisticated websites or a digital footprint, which in this modern/digital world, can lead to them going out of business. We help these businesses avoid that fate, by giving them a digital presence and access to more customers and sales. We have even had store owners tell us that their business would have failed if it wasn’t for QuikLiq’s partnership.
6) How does it feel to be the first Blacks to create such an app and to be recognized by major media outlets?
Mikael: Being an African American entrepreneur in tech is so rewarding because I know that my journey is so much bigger than myself. The African American community is grossly underrepresented in tech and entrepreneurship in general, so I am uber-motivated to succeed in order to be an example to my community and the younger generation that we can accomplish anything. It’s cool that QuikLiq is the first Black-owned business of its kind, but what we are building is so much more than that. QuikLiq is a vehicle to further our legacy; it is our contribution to black history. The more successful QuikLiq becomes, the more we will be able to give back by establishing scholarships for HBCUs, internship programs, and more opportunities for underrepresented minorities to thrive in business. This is why we are so grateful for the positive press and support by major media outlets; we hope we can continue to inspire and spread the message of black excellence to the masses.
7) How has the app been received by its users? What are some reviews?
Navarr: The app has been well-received, and we are so appreciative of our customers and supporters. The reviews have been really positive. In fact, a lot of our customers have told us that they didn’t realize a service like QuikLiq existed, and they will certainly use us over and over again.
Mikael: I love the reviews that we are getting. Right now, we have 5-star reviews across the board. Customers love that there is an app that makes ordering alcohol as easy as ordering a pizza. It just makes life easier and more convenient—which is our goal.
8) What has been your proudest moment with creating this app?
Navarr: The proudest moment was seeing our app live in the App Store. Since I am not a technical founder, this process has been a long journey of learning.
Mikael: My proudest moment was during our official QuikLiq App Launch party in South Beach, Miami this year. Being on the stage with our entire executive team and announcing our app to the world, felt like I was in a movie. Most of the time when people see a successful business, they only see the finished product. They don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that go into creating that product. For us, creating this app took years of hard work and many ups and downs. So, to finally be able to announce it and deliver it to the public, is a moment I will never forget.
9) Where do you see your company in 5-10 years?
Navarr: Eventually, we want QuikLiq to be a household name. This year we have plans of expanding to several different cities and counties throughout Florida, and we will be launching our service in Atlanta, GA as well. However, in the next 5 years, QuikLiq will be nationwide. When people think of e-commerce, they think of Amazon for household items and novelties and they think of Uber Eats or Door Dash for food delivery; when people think about alcohol delivery, we want them to think of QuikLiq!
10) What’s next for you?
Mikael: For me, beginning QuikLiq was never about getting paid and being able to buy nice things. It’s more about creating a legacy for my family; building something that can create generational wealth that I can pass down to my future children and being an example for my community. In the near future, I want to spend more time giving back to the younger generation of entrepreneurs. I’d like to be more active in mentoring our youth to show them that they can truly achieve anything they put their minds to.
Navarr: I am sacrificing so much of my life to ensure QuikLiq’s success. It is really my dream and legacy, and I would not be able to be in this position if it wasn’t for my supportive family. Next, I want to give back and take care of my parents and loved ones that have supported me my whole life. If it wasn’t for them, there would be no QuikLiq, and for that, I am forever grateful.
You can follow QuikLiq by clicking the links:
Website│ Facebook│ Instagram│ Twitter
Writer, Debbie Stokes is a contributing writer. You can follow her on Instagram @iamdebbiestokes
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