From One Courier to a Growing Community: The Story of Saad Jafri and the Uptown Vision

Discover the story of Saad Jafri, the founder of Uptown, who turned a modest beginning into a community of over 75 couriers, providing jobs, housing, and support for foreigners in Romania.

Saad Jafri is the founder of Uptown, a company he built step by step alongside his wife, Florenta Jafri, starting with just one courier and growing into a team of over 75 people today. Under his leadership, Uptown has become a trusted partner for major players such as Glovo, Bolt Food, and Bookurrier, offering not only jobs but also housing and support for foreigners settling in Romania.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career, what have been the key moments that defined you?
Saad Jafri: One of the key moments was starting Uptown with just a single courier, alongside my wife Florenta Jafri. From that point, step by step, we built the company into a trusted partner for giants like Glovo, Bolt Food, and Bookurrier. Today, we manage a fleet of over 75+ couriers, providing not only jobs but also accommodation and opportunities for foreigners in Romania. What defines me is the belief that even the hardest journeys begin with one step—and that persistence can turn one into seventy-five and still growing.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your career so far, and how did you overcome it?
Saad Jafri: The most difficult part has been managing a business that deals with people’s livelihoods—foreigners who come to Romania and depend on us for both work and living. It is not an easy responsibility, but I overcame it by building trust with our partners and taking care of our couriers like family. Consistency, patience, and a long-term vision carried us through the hardest days.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Saad Jafri: Yes, the dream has always been to create opportunities. Uptown is not just about transport—it’s about building a community, helping people settle, work, and grow. My ambition is to be a bridge for foreigners in Romania, giving them both stability and a future.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed over time?
Saad Jafri: In the beginning, I was doing everything myself—recruitment, management, even paperwork. Over time, I’ve transformed into a leader who can delegate, build teams, and focus on long-term strategy. The biggest change is that now I work “on the business,” not just “in the business.”

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Saad Jafri: They would probably say I am ambitious, persistent, and sometimes demanding, but always fair. I push people because I believe in growth, but I also stand beside them when times are tough. Many of our couriers see me not just as a boss, but as someone who opened doors for them.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve ever made that changed your trajectory?
Saad Jafri: The most important decision was to take Uptown seriously as a structured company. Registering as an SRL, building legal partnerships with Glovo, Bolt Food, and others, and creating a model that supports foreigners with jobs and housing—that decision transformed us from a small effort into a recognized group.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural process or something you learned over time?
Saad Jafri: At first, it was natural—I relied on instinct. But over time, through trial and error, I learned that leadership means balancing empathy with structure. My approach now is to listen carefully, make decisions based on both data and experience, and always think two steps ahead.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Saad Jafri: We don’t just provide work—we provide a full ecosystem. While many companies stop at hiring, we go further by giving couriers housing, support, and guidance to build a life in Romania. That human approach is what makes Uptown different.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments of the day bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Saad Jafri: A typical day involves coordinating with partners like Glovo and Bolt, supporting my team, and making sure couriers have everything they need to perform. The greatest satisfaction comes when I see new arrivals settling in, working, and becoming part of our community—because it means we’ve changed someone’s future.

C&B: What values or principles guide your work, and how do you apply them daily?
Saad Jafri: Integrity, persistence, and care. Every day, I apply these by staying transparent with my team, pushing forward despite challenges, and ensuring that every courier feels supported, not just employed.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and choose its name?
Saad Jafri: The idea came from seeing the gap in Romania—foreigners needed structured opportunities, and big platforms needed reliable partners. “Uptown” was chosen because it represents moving upward, forward, and building something better than yesterday.

C&B: If you were to send a message to people who follow your example, what would it be?
Saad Jafri: My message is: never underestimate small beginnings. Uptown started with one courier and today we are 75+. Don’t be afraid of responsibility, because responsibility is the path to leadership. If you stay persistent and true to your vision, growth will follow.

Saad Jafri and Uptown’s story reminds us that perseverance, integrity, and care for people can turn a modest start into a successful business and a growing community.