Startup Spotlight Q&A: StaffOnTap
Across the country, nursing homes are experiencing staff shortages — despite the fact that many nurses are looking to add occasional, flexible shifts to their schedules. LaunchPad Cornell alum Kayla Foley is helping to bridge the gap through her startup, StaffOnTap. She recently won second place and $15,000 at the Blackstone LaunchPad Annual Pitch Competition.
According to the LaunchPad Campus Director at Cornell University, Felix Litvinsky, “Kayla is the definition of ‘Entrepreneur.’ Her engagement, attitude, drive, and ability to focus are extraordinary. In the short time of working with Kayla, I saw an entrepreneur who could manage MBA school work, meetings with investors and customers, startup operations, participation in accelerators, and more. Now that Kayla has graduated, she would have to spend minimal energy developing the next unicorn.”
We recently had the chance to hear from Kayla about her experience building a company as a student and the advice she’d give to other student entrepreneurs.
Tell us about StaffonTap: What does it do?
StaffOnTap is a digital marketplace connecting understaffed nursing homes and temporary nurses. Through StaffOnTap, nurses with full-time and part-time jobs can access a platform to post their availability, and nursing homes can book them for a flat $30 fee.
What was your inspiration? Did you have an ‘aha moment’?
Growing up in my family business of nursing homes, I’ve experienced firsthand how the shortage of nurses has negatively affected the quality of care for patients. After interviewing hundreds of nurses, I realized that nurses wanted to self-manage their work experience, including their schedules, work locations, and pay rates.
When did you realize you wanted to become an entrepreneur?
I first tasted entrepreneurship in middle school when I owned a candy vending machine in the local bowling alley. I was a one-woman show in a cavity-yielding business, and I’ve pursued my entrepreneurial passion since then.
Congrats on making it to the finals of the LaunchPad Pitch Competition! How was your experience?
LaunchPad has been an incredible experience filled with inspiring fellow student entrepreneurs and supportive mentors. Meeting the campus directors, speakers, and other student entrepreneurs was incredible! The passion and innovation that flowed through the room were contagious. It was inspiring to be surrounded by fellow student entrepreneurs at the LaunchPad workshops and networking events.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a student entrepreneur?
As a student entrepreneur, I wear many hats, which can be challenging to juggle. I’m the CEO, CFO, and COO, and I can wear each of those hats daily. However, I’ve found this to be quite helpful because as I scale, I will have a holistic understanding of all these areas of my business. Even if someone is doing them daily.
What’s your vision for the future? What comes next for you and your company?
My vision is to revolutionize temp staffing in nursing homes to benefit both the nurses and the nursing homes. Current staffing agencies take advantage of their nursing staff while price-gouging nursing homes. StaffOnTap is on a mission to change that throughout the U.S.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?
My best mentors have helped boost my confidence in myself as a leader and founder. As a young female and first-time entrepreneur, it can be challenging to be confident when pitching or talking to investors. LaunchPad mentors, like Felix, my Campus Director, have helped me understand that I have as much experience and credentials as any male founder standing next to me. Those were illuminating conversations for me.
What advice would you give to other students considering pursuing entrepreneurship?
Start your business while in school! It’s a relatively risk-free time as you’re already forfeiting a full-time paying job to be in school. Regardless of whether the venture continues after graduation, you’ll learn a lot and graduate with a valuable degree.