Every mom wants to raise their kids with all the care and pampering in the world. So, when they are out of sight for a fraction of the section, moms are worried! Well, this only happens when we are kids, right? Our moms running behind us all the time with any stuff we need irrespective of how insignificant it is. Because we all will be the little one for them no matter how much we grow up. In most of the modern families these days, both the parents are working.
So, the demand for babysitters is never going down any sooner. But, apart from babysitting, they also need a travel companion. Who is going to drop your kids to school? Who is going to take them to their best friend’s birthday party? Worry not, especially when three strong independent women are fighting for a good cause.
HopSkipDrive is a transportation company that exclusively gives transportation facilities to the kids aging from six to seventeen. Janelle McGlothlin, Carolyn Yashari Becher, and Joanna Newman McFarland founded the company in 2015. This start-up is a blessing for every nuclear family in the United States who can now worry less about their kids.
HopSkipDrive is a transportation company that exclusively gives transportation facilities to the kids aging from six to seventeen. Janelle McGlothlin, Carolyn Yashari Becher, and Joanna Newman McFarland founded the company in 2015. This start-up is a blessing for every nuclear family in the United States who can now worry less about their kids.
About the Founders
Janelle went to the University of Pennsylvania and acquired his bachelor’s degree in International Relations. She also went to the Wharton School and received her second bachelor’s degree in Strategic Management. Apart from co-founding HopSkipDrive, Janelle has also founded Writebrand, a branding and copywriting company. She is married to Charly Kemp and has three small kids. Maybe her kids are one of the reasons she thought about this project.
Carolyn received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California. And, later went to UCLA School of Law and received Doctor of Law. She also went to The Hebrew University for a one-year program.
Carolyn worked as an intern at the Democratic National Committee. In the beginning, she worked as a Paralegal but later she became the Attorney at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP. Apart from HopSkipDrive, she co-founded Becher Law Group, New Los Angeles Charter School, and The Neuromuscular Disease Foundation. Currently, she also serves as a Mentor at Techstars.
Joanna also went to the Wharton School and completed her bachelor’s in economics. In 2005, she graduated from Stanford University with an MBA. She started her career life as a Financial Analyst at Salomon Smith Barney and then switched to Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst. She worked at companies like Green Dot Companies, AT&T Interactive, OneWest Bank, and many more. Currently, she is the CEO of HopSkipDrive and an Investment Partner at XFactor Ventures.
The Story of HopSkipDrive
The company started of a simple conversation the three of them were having at a party. They were chatting with other moms too who were sharing concern about their children. It becomes a huge responsibility when both parents have the same working time. Because you don’t need a babysitter all the time. All you need is someone to drop them where they are supposed to be. So, the trio decided to work on the project of HopSkipDrive and made it a grand success.
A Quality Service
The screening process of HopSkipDrive is undoubtedly very strict. It’s the responsibility of taking care of children. So, the basic criterion of the company is to hire someone with a minimum of five years of experience. Since it is the caregiving experience that matters, most of the employees of the company are women. So, they basically work for a community their own kids are part of.
Parents can track their kids easily with the GPS tracking system. And, there is also a dual authentication process involving code word between the driver and the kid.
The Success
According to the reports of 2020, there are around 2.5 million homeless kids and 440,000 foster kids in the United States. HopSkipDrive wasn’t launched with the aim of taking care of kids from the upper-class society. So, the services have also extended their hands to these helpless kids who deserve equal opportunities.
Currently, HopSkipDrive is a team comprising of more than 100 people and conducting business with more than 7,000 contractors. They have expanded their services to more than eight states and the school districts in thirteen markets. The company has also raised $22 million from its last funding round.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more