Leadovation Nelson Nigel: From Uber Driver to Tech Entrepreneur: Transforming Ideas Into Impact
About Nelson Nigel:
Nelson Nigel, Founder and CEO of Kidmoto Technology, is an expert in transportation technology, specializing in safe and convenient travel solutions for parents with small children. In 2016, inspired by his experience as an Uber driver, he identified a gap in the market for child car seats in taxis and car services and developed a mobile app connecting parents with skilled drivers for secure airport transfers. Despite a challenging background, including growing up poor in New York and surviving a life-threatening train accident, Nelson built Kidmoto into a trusted brand operating in 52 U.S. cities, completing over 40,000 rides, achieving 7-figure revenue in 2023, and reaching a valuation of $25 million.
In this episode, Dean Newlund and Nelson Nigel discuss:
- Innovative leadership in niche markets
- Transforming personal challenges into business opportunities
- The process and importance of business planning
- Building and managing a national infrastructure for startups
- Perseverance and execution in entrepreneurial ventures
Key Takeaways:
- Develop a detailed business plan as your blueprint before starting any venture. Nelson emphasized the importance of "blueprints" in shaping Kidmoto’s foundation, revisiting and refining his plan consistently before taking action.
- Start small and focus on steady progress, as Kidmoto began in New York City, where Nelson tested and perfected the model before gradually expanding the service to 53 cities across the U.S.
- Resolve customer issues quickly and seek qualified advice, as Nelson learned the hard way when a refusal to issue a $75 refund—based on unqualified guidance—led to over $100,000 in lost business.
- Persevere with focus and execution, as Nelson worked up to 20-hour days to implement his vision step by step, comparing the process to following a mapped route that ensures consistent progress toward the goal.
"You just have to start small. You creep, you crawl, you stand up, you balance. [Then you] start walking, [and eventually, you] start running.” — Nelson Nigel
Connect with Nelson Nigel:
Website: https://kidmoto.taxi/
Email: nelsonnigel@kidmoto.taxi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonnigel/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/NelsonNigel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NelsonNigelNY
See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I
Connect with Dean:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw
Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/
The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/
Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com
Phone: 1-800-926-7370
Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.