Parents In Motion-Social Enterprise Serving An Immediate Need
In this series, we asked our Entrepreneurial Eight some questions about their startups, some challenges they face, and what a day in the life is like.
Parents in Motion, founded by Charisma Curry and Chanel Williams, is a ride sharing safety platform for busy families and their children with a social innovation mission to help low income families. Founded in 2016, PIM’s goal is to provide safety, peace of mind, and affordability that was inspired from a mother’s perspective and technical innovation.
How did you come up with your startup? Is it solving a problem or fulfilling a need?
Charisma: Yes it is solving a problem and fulfilling a need. In fact, the inspiration for the Startup Parent in Motion came from my personal struggle as a mom trying to balance my school and work life while balancing my families as well. After learning how BIG of a need it was in my hometown, and NATIONALLY I decided to create a solution that would make moms like myself feel secure and at ease while using our service.
Chanel: The start up was the idea of Charisma Curry based on her needs as a mother of 4 needing safe, convenient transportation help. It is fulfilling a need, low income families cannot afford safe, reliable transportation and PIM fills that need.
How do you manage school and your startup?
Charisma: It can be rough to manage it all, because I am non-traditional student and I have a family. I’ve gotten really good at taking semesters off for long stretches at a time to handle whatever priority that I see most urgent in my life. For example, giving birth, focusing more on my startup or simply if it’s a season where my family needs me the most. I know that I will get my degree at some point so I do what’s best for the big picture.
Chanel: Not well, I struggle with management currently, but look to lighten my load by getting insights on this through mentors and advisers.
What is a day in the life like?
Charisma: A day in the life for me is something like this getting my kids off to school, bringing my infant and toddlers to meetings with me making phone calls, answering emails and constantly researching more ways to make our service safer. When my family gets home I make sure my kids get a snack we sit, do homework,chat,have dinner,read and bath time. This is a non-negotiable part off our routine. I am returning to school this fall and eager to see the new challenge that awaits for me to add school back into my schedule.
Chanel: A day in my life is me being at work for 4–6 hours, doing homework soon after, and taking a break. After the break, I go into my PIM task list for that week. We regularly have meetings, set goals, and review work.
What helps you stay motivated?
Charisma: Parents in Motion was founded in 2016. From that day it’s been a long stretch of ups and downs. But holding on to my WHY and keeping my mind on that, has literally gave me the gasoline to keep going even when I felt like I am on E. I just remember that I am doing this for myself, my kids and my community and I keep going.
Chanel: What motivates me is having a sustainable business that helps others at the end of the day, that is why I got into social enterprise.
What are some hard truths you are learning about being an entrepreneur?
Charisma: I believe truth could vary from person to person. Hard truths also seem to be accompanied by positive truths if you look at it from two perspectives. For example, me personally, I had to accept that there wouldn’t be support from some people that it mattered the most from. But on the flip side it pushes you to make new connections with like-minded souls who truly wanted me to win.
Chanel: The hard truths I have learned about entrepreneurship is that you REALLY have to rely on yourself for all things, even in a partnership.
What advice do you have for other students looking to turn an idea into a startup company?
Charisma: DO IT!! :) The thing about this is it’s a learning experience at the least. You can only gain from that. So if you remember this you will never feel like you are at a loss on this journey.Even if that means sitting out a semester to buckle down on your startup (the degree will still be there), or picking up a book to learn something faster. Time is of the essence so be mindful of what goals need to be achieved faster and why.
Chanel: Make sure you REALLY validate your idea with customers you are looking to sell your goods to and be able to create a small version of it and test it sooner than later. Also, self care is SUPER important. Take care of yourself.
Who are some entrepreneurs you look up to and why?
Charisma: Surely, I am being biased when I list all women entrepreneurs, because the truth is, there are a ton of MALE entrepreneurs who’ve inspired me, spoke to me and set the tone for me.But I have to be honest and say that being a woman entrepreneur and knowing our struggles from that angle, it is only right that I list the journeys that I can relate to wholeheartedly and that give me hope that I can truly make it.
Oprah Winfrey: A woman that has been raped abused and that has experienced racial injustice at the least still fought and became one of the highest paid entrepreneurs. Being a woman of color i’d have to say that admiration is a understatement.
Sophia Amoruso: Founder of NastyGal a woman fashion retailer As a woman who dealt with with PPD and PPA after having my babies and ADHD throughout my life, she is my hero. She struggled with depression and ADHD and still managed to become one of the richest self-made women in America. Go girl! :)
Beyonce Knowles: Aside from being a amazing business woman. After attending one of her concerts and learning that she would nurse her babies in between clothing changes on tour made me admire her on another level beyond business. As I am nursing my 8 month old and typing this. I am also singing” GIrls run the world”!!
Madam C.J. Walker: At time when Women and African Americans had little to no rights she became a self-made millionaire. She inspires me to not victimize myself, because even when the odds are against you, that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: I admire Laurel because she gives me a voice. The Author of Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History. This title alone is just confirmation to my rebellious spirit. I truly believe that women and men who are true to themselves with good intent may not always fit into “societies box” and seeing how society has created a norm aka “box” especially for women I totally understand how stepping out of the traditional housewife role could be viewed as misbehaving.
Certainly there are many more entrepreneurs that inspire me from all genders and backgrounds but these are a few that come to mind in this moment in my life.
Chanel: Some of the entrepreneurs I really look up to is Oprah, as black woman in business who is self made, that speaks to me on multiple levels. I am a black woman in business who didn’t come from money, power, or prestige, and I am still taking this journey with determination, grit, and drive. Oprah did the same thing and made it, so I really look up to her. She is inspirational.
Anything else you would like to share?
Charisma: It may sound cliche, but the universe supports a persistent soul. Never give up!! Thanks again for this opportunity!! :)
Chanel: Take self care seriously, start small, learn fast, find a vision and goal that drives you.
For more information on Parents in Motion: https://ridepim.com/
