Have you ever explored the convenience of a subscription-based bike rental? Imagine a world where kids always have the perfect-sized bike, fostering their love for adventure and outdoor activities. Gabriel Medina Gay, an eCommerce professional with over 8 years of experience, has not only envisioned this world but has also brought it to life through Bicircular, the first Spanish subscription platform for renting kids’ bikes.
Gabriel founded Bicircular after his completion of EADA’s International MBA in 2022. This subscription-based platform not only filled a gap in the market but also addressed the evolving needs of families and the rising demand for sustainable practices. Gabriel’s commitment to sustainability and business impact was evident as he specialized in these domains during his MBA.
His innovative approach didn’t go unnoticed, leading to an acquisition in 2023. Currently working as the Country Director in Bike Club, the world’s largest children’s bike hire fleet with over 60,000 members, Gabriel continues to steer the company towards sustainable growth. With offices in London, Gibraltar, Berlin, and Barcelona, Bike Club is at the forefront of promoting environmentally conscious and accessible biking experiences for children.
We talked to Gabriel to find out how his experience at EADA has shaped his personal and professional journey as the founder of Bicircular and his contributions to Bike Club.
Why did you decide to pursue the International MBA at EADA Business School?
I wanted to update my knowledge after almost 10 years of work experience. In my opinion, EADA is at a good level in terms of personal growth, international environment and sustainability approach. Price-to-quality, EADA is the best option.
With over 8 years of experience in eCommerce and retail, how do you perceive the impact of the MBA on your career progression?
It is really worth it to take a break to understand new technologies and trends. This can really open your eyes, especially at times when you are too focused just in one industry. In my case, I realized the importance of the subscription services as a new business model and the better way to understand and help the consumption overall.
How did the MBA programme influence your decision to start Bicircular? Can you highlight specific aspects of your education at EADA Business School that have shaped the strategy and growth of the company?
I would highlight three aspects that EADA’s MBA programme influenced:
- The transformative effect on my personal growth and self-confidence.
- The Entrepreneurship course shaped my mindset towards risk and failure, encouraging constant testing and validation, as the attempts are more important than the final result. So do not worry about failure.
- Through many case studies I got equipped with a toolkit to approach strategic thinking with a macro perspective and then focus on priorities.
Were there specific career opportunities or connections made during the MBA that played a crucial role in your professional journey?
My main connections were with professors who were willing to help me with projects even after the program, like Jaume Bonet Pedrol, Dr. Jatinder J. (JJ) Singh, Antony Poole and Bart Huisken.
In your role as Country Director at Bike Club, how have the leadership skills acquired during the MBA program been beneficial?
These skills have played a pivotal role in the recruitment process, which is critical and has to be very well designed. The acquired skills helped me understand the importance of diversity and having complementary roles in the team. Also, how to build management control tools to give flexibility to the team and good incentives at the same time.
How has incorporating a sustainable approach contributed to the growth of the companies you’ve been involved with, such as Bike Club and Bicircular?
I think it is not only about the trend of sustainability, but it is also about how people see this kind of business as a better future and long-term strategy. It doesn´t matter if you are an investor or customer, we are all looking for these kinds of solutions that benefit the planet and the people! The traction on both sides can be observed.
How can companies balance sustainability with commercial success, in your opinion?
Definitely nowadays, sustainability and commercial success are directly related. Customers are already asking for sustainable products and all the new generation will do so even more. The goal is to have a service/product that matches customers´values and also solves a problem.
How does your international perspective from EADA Business School influence how you approach global aspects in the biking business?
It is really interesting now that we are expanding to all of the EU. I have the same relationship with people from Germany as those from the Netherlands for instance, which I discovered how to do during the MBA programme. In the program, we discussed the cultural differences that are helping me now to better understand any situations.
What advice would you give to students considering an International MBA at EADA Business School?
Doing an MBA at EADA Business School is the kind of pause in your career that helps you to think differently than before, igniting the change we need in our current environment. All the information you learn can help you to reflect on what you really want for the future. I would advise students, whatever their current or short-term outlook is, to pursue the sector or business model they like most because passion and hard work will open doors for you sooner rather than later.