With Every Ending, There is a New Beginning … Goodbye Shuddle
Kango, on the other hand, functions and charges like Zum, but was born before Zum. “It’s not as commoditized as the adult ride-sharing curbside-to-curbside experience,” said Sara Schaer, Kango CEO and co-founder. ‘There is room to specialize with unique features, customer care, and onboarding.’
Her company’s app premiered in 2012 to assist parents with carpools and babysitters. She offers this feature in other cities, a fertile ground for ride service expansion. Just think of a 21st century Mary Poppins for your children.
There is also HopSkipDrive, a Los Angeles-based ride service. Three professional working mothers addressed a need and started this ride-hailing service for kids. HopSkipDrive, made its way in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. With $14.1M funding and 30% monthly growth, HopSkipDrive is working hard to serve its clients well.
HopSkipDrive drivers are insured to drive children. In many respects, drivers share their lives with clients. Drivers, mostly women, who are teachers, nannies, daycare givers, and mothers themselves are allowed to bring their own children to work. Mommy referrals make such of a difference in these ventures. Word-of-mouth is tops here because credibility, trustworthiness, and personal-relationships. “We have discovered that when you solve one parent’s problem and make their lives easier, they will tell it to another.” Says Joanna McFarland, chief executive and co-founder of HopSkipDrive.
It appears that shortage of capital, blamed as the prime culprit for Shuddle’s shutdown, may not have been the
principal reason.
Tech women, especially moms, have carved out a niche in this startup industry. If Shuddle had been run by mothers,
where heart and mind connect to serve lives, would Shuddle have survived? They appear to be doing well at Zum, Kango, and HopSkipDrive…
As long as there are mothers need an extension of themselves to their children, ride-caring lives on.
Businesses that meet needs and solve problems, care as good mothers care, serve as good mothers serve, and love as good mothers love will never lack capital.
Additional Resources
Uber For Failure: How Start Ups Crash and Burn
