How I almost never started Rally
This has been one doozy of a year!
At this time last year I had just quit my job at Babylon Health in the UK to join a startup incubator called Antler. Over the next three months I’d work on 2 separate ideas, which would ultimately get rejected by the program.
Luckily one of the Antler partners decides to invest in three of us ‘rejects’ and we work on an e-commerce business together. As we start the research, I realize I have to fly back from London to Toronto as my visa is expiring.
After a month in Toronto, my soon to be cofounder Anson, hooks me up with a job at Rose Rocket — a startup in the trucking and logistics space. I start working part time for Rose Rocket, and part time for the e-commerce venture.
In mid January, a friend and a mentor asks me if I am interested in exploring an insurance idea with him. I jump at the opportunity and after 8 weeks realize there is no market for it. At the same time the e-commerce idea is not taking off, and I am starting to question my decisions. In the past nine months I had tried 4 different ideas, moved cities, and was ready to give up on being an entrepreneur. Nothing seemed to be working and I had told all my friends it’s probably better to pack it up and just get a corporate job.
And then Covid hit.
As a previous founder of a food delivery business, I knew restaurants and bars would be hit hard. While I was ready to give up, the creative juices were flowing again. What can I do to support my community? What kinds of things will change as a result of Covid? Who can I help with what I have?
One evening during the first week of lockdowns, Anson invited me on a 20 person zoom call with Amy and a group of friends and it was the worst social experience possible. I felt like I was in group therapy as we were taking turns to speak. Was this really the best way to communicate virtually between friends?
The next day after the call Anson called me and pitched me an idea that combined a game, a community donation platform and a better video experience. Eventually this would lead to the beginning of Rally.video.
It’s been three months since we began this journey. Rally has been successfully used by teams at Amazon, MasterCard, LinkedIn, and countless startups. Students at Harvard and Stanford have hosted reunions and meet n’ greets, and event organizers have used us for virtual networking. Even as stores re-open, the trend in working remotely and gathering in large groups virtually is likely here to stay.
We are growing very quickly and looking to hire. If you’re interested, please let me know!
My story would not have been complete without thanking my cofounders, parents and friends. I also want to thank Kyrio, Raouf, Justin Sky and the RR team, Alkarim Shamshy and Mo Shah for believing in me.
