Service

New Episode Thumbnail.png

EPISODE 3​

MICHAEL SCHNEIDER | SERVICE

Check out Michael’s non-profit streetsforall.org

Follow Michael on Twitter (@schneider) // IG (@michaelschneider).

Check out Michael’s recommendations for books, podcasts and social inspiration HERE.

Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // LinkedIn // Newsletter

Don’t have time for the full episode? Read our email recap HERE.

———————————————

Michael Schneider is the Founder of Service.

After getting his start at USC building and selling custom websites, Michael has spent the last two decades as a serial tech entrepreneur. In 1998, he founded Fluidesign, an award winning interactive digital agency. He proceeded to launch nesting.com, a Facebook style site for moms to keep track of their busy lives and then Mobile Roadie, a Wordpress style platform that enabled users to inexpensively build and maintain mobile apps. With Mobile Roadie, he focused on the music industry and powered the apps for Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Drake and many others. In 2015, he launched his most recent venture, Service.

Service was designed as an automated solution to save you time and money as you travel. The platform connected to your inbox and automatically detected when an airline or hotel delayed or cancelled your reservation. Service would then reach out to the airline or hotel on your behalf, file a claim, and get you cash, points, or vouchers.

This will be a unique episode in the fact that Michael announced Service is shutting down in March 2020. We talk about launching and growing the business as well as reasons for why it ultimately didn't work out. 

Tune in to hear Michael's inspiring story and leave a review!

EPISODE TOPICS:

  • (2:16) What does Service look like today (mission, vision, products, team)? 

  • (3:35) What is your background and what were you working on before Service? 

  • (10:57) Where did the idea of Service come from? 

  • (12:55) How did the product evolve? 

  • (14:21) What strategies did you use to spread the word about the Service early on? 

  • (15:31) How did airlines and hotel brands view Service? 

  • (20:29) What did the business model look like and how did it evolve? 

  • (22:10) Was there a demand inflection point and what were the marketing strategies that caused it? 

  • (23:52) What KPIs were important for you and your team? 

  • (25:11) Which airline was the best to work with? 

  • (25:48) What did the competitive landscape look like? 

  • (28:53) What was your approach to fundraising? 

  • (31:46) What did your team look like early on and how did that evolve? 

  • (32:39) What criteria do you look for when you hire? 

  • (35:17) Why is the company shutting down? 

  • (40:11) How long ago did you start seeing the warning signs and what are some of the things you tried to keep the company running? 

  • (42:57) What happens in the close of business process? 

  • (43:54) Were you hearing any feedback from customers during this process? 

  • (45:27) What's next for you? 

  • (46:51) What would you say to other founders that are in the same position you were 6 months ago? 

  • (50:38) Did you have an advisory board? 

  • (52:27) What is something you know now that you wish you knew? 

  • (53:39) What are the key characteristics of a good founder? 

  • (59:47) What is your morning routine? 

  • (1:04:34) Michael's startup manifesto 

  • (1:07:23) Michael's founder nomination 

Kallaway