Business: RIDESportation®, LLC. RIDES stands for “Responsive Individuals Driving Elders and School Age Children.” RIDESportation®, LLC is a non-emergency professional transportation service exclusively serving the elderly (62 and better in age) and school age children in select cities of Northern Virginia offering transportation and mobility management that is affordable, reliable, and convenient. 

Mission of RIDESporation®, LLC: “To create independence and mobility one ride at a time!!”

When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?  My first job at the age of 15 years old as a “courtesy clerk” bagging groceries and pushing carts at Hughes Market in Dana Point, CA, which was bought out by Ralph’s Market. Standing on my feet for 8-10 hour days doing hard labor, not having the owness 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 there that long at the grocery store were all miserable. Two weeks into being employed, I told my parents I can’t work like this. My parents responded “well, you need to get a college degree that will give you a business foundation that will help you write your own ticket and be in charge of your own financial destiny!” Thus, I graduated with departmental honors receiving 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” and was awarded “Top 20 Business Plan” and the “Ralph Carson Entrepreneur Values Award!” 

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. 

One of the major challenges endured was my mother and I were involved in a drunk driving car accident being struck by a drunk driver on October 30, 1986 causing my mother to suffer a broken neck. Consequently, she 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 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 and/or family 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. 

Why did you specifically choose to help the elderly and school-age children?  Many people endure transportation challenges, yet it 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. RIDESportation®, LLC 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 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 our 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. 

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!!