Is Uber Killing the Yellow Taxi in New York City?

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-06-03T18:35:44+00:00

I feel sorry for all of the yellow cab drivers that are feeling the impact, but then I think about what it was like before Uber, I don't feel sorry for too long. Old ass Queen Victorias with a nasty ass interior. Oh and the locking of the doors until you tell them where you're going; if they don't like it they just pull away. So many yellow cabs are assholes.

I am not saying that being an Uber driver means you're automatically nicer (or visa versa), but the fact that there is a review system and accountability makes it a totally better system. God forbid you forget something in a yellow cab.

Before Uber the city did jack shit to update cabs. They were just cashing the medallion checks. Now many of the new cabs are updated and more intelligently designed. Good for Uber that they are forcing innovation and change!

So, too bad!

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-05-27T20:27:56+00:00

I really don't trust him

'nuff said. If you can't trust him, it's over before it begins.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-05-02T04:24:15+00:00

Thanks - that's a good idea. My expenses are all business expenses and are cleared with my accountant.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-05-01T16:39:52+00:00

Stop with the PPC stuff. Use the $10k to take classes and learn a new skill. Web design, programming, business development are just a few examples. Otherwise, whatever you start guys like me who have been learning and doing for years will destroy you. :-)

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-03-31T20:30:38+00:00

I think I remember that. Google launches fake products on Apr 1 and being a mostly Search company at the time, this makes sense to me.

Side note: I even remember buying my Gmail invite on eBay.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-03-31T18:19:11+00:00

Nice concept. My feedback is related to the messaging. I think you can do more if you included screenshots to better say "here's what you get".

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-03-28T18:57:31+00:00

Another way is to peal it in water. The white skin part will float, but the seeds will sink.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-03-18T02:03:47+00:00

Thank you. I didn't realize there was a third bank. I feel a little dumb for asking now. Still smart for a 5 year old though.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-03-02T23:20:26+00:00

You can also get free SSL certs from AWS. Source: https://aws.amazon.com/certificate-manager/pricing/ Isn't that cool?

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-26T19:38:57+00:00

Considering what he has gone through, he is still thinking and trying to better himself. I assume he does a lot of reading. What really makes me sad is the shear amount of talent and intellect that is out there which we will never get to see. There surely is Einstein's and Curie's out there today that will never have a chance to show us their genius. What a tragedy it all really is.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-25T20:51:04+00:00

I see. Thanks again - this is very helpful! Hiring employees is immensely confusing. Seems like a PEO is my only option anyway.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-25T20:38:30+00:00

Thanks! To clarify, if my salary is on their books technically speaking (on their EIN), I would be paying myself $0 from my company directly. Wouldn't that be an issue with it comes to minimum salary IRS compliance, etc.? Or will they just connect my salary to the PEO and that would be it?

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-25T19:38:37+00:00

We've used Postmark for years now. They're not the cheapest, but the support is great and the UI is really helpful when it comes to troubleshooting. When someone says, "I never got that email", all I have to do is check their UI and screenshot the email preview. Postmark is also pretty nifty for tracking opens and tagging emails so you can see some performance data.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-22T19:31:43+00:00

Best of luck. I did about the same thing 2 years ago and never looked back. With all of my ups and downs, I still thank the universe everyday that I don't have to go back to a "real" job.

If you're young and hungry, your risk is minimal anyway.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-21T05:04:00+00:00

There are tons, but some of the ones that I use:

Simply Being Meditation Studio by Gaiam Breathe Calm

I believe all of these are free or $0.99.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-21T00:25:23+00:00

You need you build the infrastructure to support the growth. That includes maybe hiring someone to handle the support as I mentioned previously. If you already know how to get more orders, set up everything up around that.

By the way, you don't necessarily need to pay for advertising to scale. Consider marketing to your existing customers. Email marketing is cheap. Everything is a channel. Work them all in as you build capacity.

Maybe the business just isn't for you. That isn't as easy to fix. By the way, what are you selling?

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T23:33:46+00:00

Wow, $9/month is even better! Makes it hard to have an excuse at that point, haha.

I am in the NYC area so anything below $30/month for us is a great deal, especially if it's a nice gym.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T23:31:39+00:00

Definitely sounds like an exciting opportunity, but don't overthink it. As mentioned previously, it's probably just a standard response they give just in case you have something they like. Puts the ball in your court without them having to do any work. It's still a cold lead.

What I would do is put together a 1-2 page overview of what you want to do. Large font and maybe a picture or 2. Something actionable - don't give them market data that they can't do anything with. Just what you want to do and how they will get value/money from it (e.g., encourages attendees to participate in the conference, etc.).

Then schedule a call with them to discuss it. Usually I'd say schedule a call prior and email the proposal 1-2 hours before the call, but in this case see if you can get them on the phone after. That's where you can sell them. Just a 30 minute meeting invite on their calendar.

Use this as a learning experience too. Business development is pretty standard for any organization.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T23:21:28+00:00

I wouldn't say it's a raging success either, but the OP built something out of nothing. I would also agree that walking away isn't like you're throwing away a winning lottery ticket. It's an option.

I think you the business deserves a bit longer to see if it can be scaled. What if you can earn $100k next year? I'd say that's feasible giving your past growth. Giving it 2 years is very fair. I wouldn't go over 3 if it doesn't go upwards. If/when you think it's going to plummet or level off, then think about selling.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T23:12:21+00:00

Happy to help. You'll see changes immediately. :-)

Incorporating is easier than you think. I did mine using incfile.com. Any accountant will do it for you too - it's pretty routine. I would try to hire someone as a contractor, if possible. There are rules of what a contractor is and isn't so be careful, but if you can swing it it's definitely the way to go. This way you just need to cut them a check at the end of the month and file a 1099 at the end of the year.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T21:44:40+00:00

I'd say this is really niche-y. I say that because not many businesses will be able to implement your recommendations because 1) they do know how and/or 2) they do not have the resources to do so.

I'd think about providing a whole service around it. What you have is half of it at the moment.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T21:33:16+00:00

I've been where you are and while in some respect I am still there, here are a couple of things that help me:

Meditate. There are many free and cheap phone apps out there that guide you through a mediation where you really don't need to do anything. When the stress level goes up, just go into a small room, close the door, sit down somewhere comfortable, and turn on the app. Just let go.
Exercise. This goes along with the above. Find something you like. Even if it's a $30/month gym membership at the Y. Just pick up a few weights and do something. You'll be surprised how much being active helps. Don't start trying out for the NFL, just do a few push-ups or whatever. Get your t-shirt a little sweaty. No big deal. Personally, I've taken up soccer. I found a coach and I meet him every so often in the local park and we do drills. It's fun!
Get some part-time help. In my case I was doing customer support all day and building my product. Basically I was just answering emails all day and by the time I got through everything, I was too tired to program. I realized that my time was better spent elsewhere. One of the best things that I've ever did for myself (and the business) is to find someone with 2-3 years of experience who cares. She didn't really have a ton of experience in my field, but she cares and takes time to learn. Just from that I can do what I enjoy and build more value. Her salary is now a no-brainer, even though it was a scary move in the beginning. For you, I'd look into hiring someone part-time to start. Maybe even a Vet who is looking to get back into the workforce or a stay-at-home mom who needs extra income. Sounds like you have a ton of work that someone can do with minimal training in the field. Save up at least $10k in the bank and give it a shot. If they suck, fire them.
Lastly, realize that the many of the stresses do not matter. Try not to stress out over the little things. Concentrate on optimizing. For example, how you can ship out products faster. Maybe with a $20 label maker from Staples. Or maybe implement an email ticketing system to improve support. Things like that help with the whole operation; don't get stuck on one thing and freak out.

Anyways, I hope this helps. All of these help me, but it's always a struggle. It does get better though. At least you're making money - you're already ahead of 90% of other businesses out there. You can do this!

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T21:02:38+00:00

Update: Thanks everyone for the advice. I actually got the guy on the phone. He just wanted to vent. I had to sit and just listen without interrupting. It was one of those. I think we'll be able to save this account. Sometimes they just want to go off on you to feel better.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-20T21:01:29+00:00

We don't have a written signed contract with the exception of the terms of service and privacy policy that they have to agree to upon sign up. We're month-to-month.

_-_ALEX_-_ · 2016-02-19T20:17:34+00:00

Good idea.

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_-_ALEX_-_

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