DEARBORN – While driving to deliver a pizza order, Ali Atoui says he remembered his boss’ attitude and questioned his position at work. “Why should I work for others? Why can’t I do this on my own?” he asked himself. Then, he decided to establish his own business, but it wasn’t a pizza shop; it was something far less usual: a delivery service.  

Working on his own, Atoui now delivers all sorts of products to homes and businesses for a fee starting at $4. He says the entrepreneurial adventure has been profitable so far, and he is in search of new drivers to grow the business he started two months ago with a small investment.

“It’s been a surprise,” he said. “People are paying more than the flat rate, and I can barely keep up with the orders. I try to take every call. I don’t like to turn customers down.”

Atoui named his business “We Deliver,” and he started to acquire clients by offering his services on social media. He also distributed flyers for his business, cafes, restaurants, groceries and convenience stores.

“I’ve had tough times,” Atoui said. “Sometimes, people would rebuff me when I was handing out flyers, but I had to be persistent.”

Atoui, 25, of Dearborn, is currently studying cyber security at ITT Technical Institute. He said sometimes he studies for his classes while waiting for an order in his car. He caters to customers 24/7, except when he is in class.

He attributes the relative success of his business to the trust he has built with his initial customers and the low fees he charges for his services. “For the price given, people have a chance to save a lot of money,” he stated. “One man in River Rouge told me he saved $800 on cabs last month by calling me to shop for him.”

The 25 year-old mainly covers Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Downriver but says he can transport products anywhere in Metro Detroit if called upon to do so. He adds that he has delivered orders as small as a pack of cigarette and as big as a television. 

Atoui said he does deliver alcohol, but only to people who can prove they are at least 21 years of age. “I don’t drink myself, but we deliver anything as long as it’s legal,” he said. 

The delivery man said he is currently searching for a new “reliable” driver to help him accommodate customers. “I am also working on a website,” he added.

Atoui capitalizes on severe weather conditions to promote his business. “Fellas, don’t like driving in this weather? Well I do all the time. I love driving…  Call 313-208-6813 for affordable delivery,” he posted on his Facebook page after heavy snowfall on Wednesday, March 12.

He has ambitious plans for his two-month-old business. He said he wants to turn it into a recognizable brand for delivery and transportation across Michigan over the next few years.