Founder & President
RAQUEL McLAUGHLIN
What inspired you to start RIDESportation, LLC? The idea of RIDESportation, LLC stemmed from a few transportation challenges my family and I endured over the years and the things I witness today with others. Therefore, I started my business in honor of my mother who suffered from a broken neck and my grandmother (maternal) who suffered from kidney failure and had to go on kidney dialysis. These debilitating circumstances made both my loved ones lose their mobility and independence.
On October 30, 1986, my mother and I were in a tragic car accident being struck by a drunk driver causing my mother to suffer a broken neck. Consequently, she wore many neck braces and was unable to drive for three years until her neck fully healed. With no car, job loss due to being disabled, seldom help from my dad (as he was still bitter from the recent divorce), and public transportation was NOT an option with a broken neck, we were left destitute. It was such a horrible feeling to have to rely on others (church members, family and/or friends) or be a burden to others just to get the bare necessities and/or go to doctor appointments; and most times, we struggled to find rides. So, at ten years old, I walked alone to the grocery store and I remember seeing the worry in my mother’s eyes each time I had to take that trip.
Ten years later after our tragic car accident, my grandmother was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of seventy-four (74) years old. With the nearest dialysis center fifteen (15) miles away, I saw how this impacted my grandmother in a negative way when there was no ride availability in rural Mississippi. Both my grandparents were in their golden years of life and already began to suffer mobility limitations. As a result, the next five years would take its toll on them with the weekly (three times a week) drive to the dialysis center.
When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur? My first real job at the age of 15 years old as a “grocery clerk” bagging groceries and pushing carts at Ralph’s Market in Dana Point, CA (formerly known as Hughes Market). Standing on my feet for 8-10 hour days doing hard labor, not having the onus of making my own schedule, and being at the mercy of punching in and out of a time clock was not going to work for me. I couldn’t envision my life like this for the next 30-40 years. Plus, those who have been working there for a long time at the grocery store were all miserable. Two weeks into being employed, I angrily told my parents “I can’t work like this for the rest of my life!” My parents responded “well get a college degree that will give you the business foundation that will help you write your own ticket and allow you to be in charge of your own financial destiny!” Thus, I graduated with my BS degree from the University of Southern California (USC), Marshall School of Business. While at USC, I was accepted into “The Lloyd Grief Center for Entrepreneurial Studies” program and was awarded “Top 20 Business plan” and the “Ralph Carson Entrepreneur Values Award!”
Why did you specifically choose to help the elderly and school-age children? Many people endure transportation challenges, yet it is more common amongst the elderly and school age children. Public transportation is not always a viable option due to various reasons. As a result, we want to ensure that present and future generations of older people enjoy numerous mobility options that permit them to live a productive, independent and dignified lifestyle. In addition, with the growing number of after-school activities, busy scheduling conflicts, and safety concerns, we want to ensure that the parents/guardians of school age children have the flexibility of transportation. With that, RIDESportation offers transportation and mobility management. “Need a RIDE? We provide the TRANSPORTATION!”
How do you think God is using you? To be a voice for the elderly and a voice for the parents/guardians of school age children. It is my belief that they are the two most important people in the world. Our children are important as they will be the next leaders in this world and its imperative that we instill good morals and values in them to help build good character. On the other hand, the elderly are also important as they provide wisdom and guidance to the younger generation.
Are there any philanthropies dear to your heart? Yes, since 1995, I have been a volunteer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as a speaker on the Victims Impact Panel (VIP), participating in SoberPROM and other activities, and supporting victims as they grieve. In addition, as of August 2014, I have been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels(MOW) delivering meals to homebound seniors. From my grandmothers kidney failure and being on dialysis, she was too weak to prepare meals for herself and my grandfather. She couldn’t stand on her feet for too long and the medicine she was taking mostly made her sick. As a result, our family banded together and decided to request MOWs to deliver to my grandparents in rural Mississippi. MOW was a lifesaver! In 2001, my grandmother passed away from kidney failure. Yet, I will never forget how grateful they both were for those meals delivered to them three times a week.
What is your mantra? God has given EVERYONE a purpose in life! We must find our God-given purpose and use it to bless others; or else, life is not worth living!!