Elevator Pitch: NoYelling

Elevator Pitch is a regular feature on Lifehacker where we profile startups and new companies and pick their brains for entrepreneurial advice. This week, we’re talking with Jasper Boyschau, managing director of No Yelling.

In 128 words or less, explain your business idea.

No Yelling is a web platform connecting learner drivers with local freelance driving instructors. Through the redistribution of customer administration across our growing fleet of contractors, No Yelling is able to operate at a lower cost. Our freelancers interface with No Yelling through a native android application, enabling them to take mobile payments and manage customer credit autonomously. No Yelling’s proprietary software allows students to sign up in any location around Australia and get instant feedback about their serviceability. Our goals are simple… Make licensing affordable for all students and improve the efficiency of our freelance trainers.

What strategies are you using to grow and finance your idea?

No Yelling was bootstrapped from day one, with a small seed investment. Our first goal was to achieve recurring revenue to sustain full time contributions from our founders without further fund raising. We achieved this by focusing our efforts on organic and local SEO. As we gain tractions, attracting a consistent stream of learners, we began iterating our software to meet the new demands of the business.

Like most service based industries, word of mouth is key. To increase the number of customers talking about our business we built a culture of referral within the organisation. Instructors receiving the most positive feedback about their service each month are rewarded with credit points translating into fuel vouchers and other benefits. It’s the strategy that keeps on giving.

Using these familiar growth tactics, No Yelling is expanding to Melbourne. If all goes
well, Sydney is not far off.

What’s the biggest challenge facing your business?

Like any two-sided marketplace our biggest challenge is the chicken and egg problem. Managing supply and demand across a large service area is tricky business. Fortunately our technology allows us to identify key areas that require our attention.

How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?

Aside from technology, No Yelling differentiates itself with a compelling offer to new driving instructors. Unlike ordinary “driving schools” No Yelling instructors enjoy the freedom of managing their own calendar, choosing when and how they work. We have intentionally kept a low barrier to entry, offering instructors removable car signage, no lock-in contracts and low setup fees.

What one phone, tablet or PC application could you not live without?

Uber would be very hard to live without, but a world without reddit… C’mon.

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

If your business relies on technology, ensure at least one of your founders / directors is
highly technical.


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