Today we’d like to introduce you to John Chrin.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Dallas for a banking job when I only knew about four people in Texas. It seemed like a big risk at the time, but in hindsight, I’m glad that I took the chance. After spending five years in banking, I was convinced it wasn’t what I wanted for my career and was ready for a change. In banking, when you asked the question, “Why are we doing things this way?” the answer was always, “Because that’s the way we do it.” That is a very different approach and mindset than I have. I am constantly thinking about and trying to find innovative ways to solve problems and improve processes to maximize efficiency. So, I decided to go into the startup world where innovation, creativity and experimentation were not only welcomed but were the core of the business. In 2015, I joined the Uber team in Dallas and built the business from the ground up.
For almost four years, I interacted with local drivers and riders every day, saw how the sharing economy shaped the community in positive ways as well as the financial opportunities it created for people. Business development, combined with community engagement, really resonated with me. It gave me a true sense of mission and drove me to pursue my passion for working on the ground floor of a company, building its business from scratch. About a month into the pandemic, I learned about Lalamove and its plan to expand to the U.S., starting with Dallas. The potential of joining an innovative company like Lalamove and having the opportunity to build its business from the beginning in a new market was extremely exciting to me and something I knew I wanted to be a part of immediately. I joined Lalamove in July as the managing director for Texas. It became clear to me that Lalamove has an unprecedented opportunity to help small businesses by providing a fast and affordable delivery option, and I’m excited to bring that opportunity to our communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entering the U.S. market during a pandemic is not what we would have initially planned. However, we saw a heightened need for fast, on-demand delivery services once the pandemic hit. It was clear from the very beginning that SMBs would be hit the hardest. Mom-and-pop shops that were once doing fine with their regular customers had to be able to deliver directly to their clientele or they would lose valuable business. We saw this as an opportunity to help local businesses with our technology and affordable pricing. I would say that the biggest challenge has been spreading awareness in the DFW community and connecting with business owners. We know, based on success in other markets, that our product can help them, and it has been our priority to connect with them. So although it hasn’t been a smooth road, this is a critical point for businesses to be able to pivot and adapt to the circumstances. My high school motto was “Succisa Virescit,” which is Latin for “Cut down, we grow back stronger.” That motto has stayed with me since and is something I reflect on regularly, especially when life throws a curveball and obstacles arise.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lalamove is an app-based on-demand delivery service that offers the cheapest same-day delivery in Dallas and Fort Worth. We specialize in providing delivery for small and medium-sized businesses across multiple industries, including catering, retail, e-commerce, manufacturing and construction. Our goal is to help provide local businesses affordable and easy same-day delivery to their customers, especially during these uncertain times. The 2020 holiday season is a crucial time for small businesses, so we want to help support how we can. We deliver anything — from a package and furniture to flowers and a meal — contract-free and without charging any commissions.
Once a purchase is made directly with a business, they simply open the Lalamove app, put in the pickup and drop-off locations, and they’ll be matched with a Lalamove delivery partner within seconds, 24/7 — as easy as calling an Uber ride. COVID-19 has made delivery services a necessity, especially for restaurants and SMBs, but many local businesses don’t have or can’t afford their own vehicles or extra staff to support, so they have to rely on more traditional shipping options. But guess how much it is to ship a same-day 10 lb. package from the Dallas Farmers Market to Arlington (~20 miles) with one national shipping company? Over $200. With Lalamove, it costs only $27.90. With base fares starting at $6.99, we offer the cheapest intra-city same-day delivery services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One surprising fact that most people don’t know is about our legendary founder. He used to be a professional Texas hold ’em player — and a good one — for seven years. In 2013 he founded Lalamove with his winnings from the poker table and had been growing Lalamove globally ever since.
Pricing:
- Car/Sedan: $6.99 for first 3 mi and then $1/mi for each additional mile
- SUV: $9.99 for first 3 mi and then $1/mi for each additional mile
- Pickup Truck: $19.99 for first 5 mi and then $1.30/mi for each additional mile
- Each additional stop per order: $2.50 per stop
- Loading/unloading help (pickup only): $15
Contact Info:
- Email: info.tx@lalamove.com
- Website: https://www.lalamove.com/us/en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalamoveus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LalamoveUS
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LalamoveUs
- Other: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lalamove-usa-delivery-app/id1530149701 ; Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lalamove.global.user.us&hl=en_US
