Sunbeam Chats

Veekle (Peer-to-Peer) Car Sharing W/ Cherie Williams

Arlene M. Holman Season 9 Episode 90

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Cherie Williams, is the Founder & CEO of Veekle, a car-sharing service, which gives travelers the opportunity to book their next trip or rent a vehicle via the Veekle Mobile App.

Veekle is the Airbnb for cars. The service connects travelers and owners together in a symbiotic ecosystem; offering a safe and economical alternative to commuting on the island of Jamaica.

In this conversation the dynamic Cherie takes us on her journey to becoming an entrepreneur and founder of this game changing car sharing service in her homeland of Jamaica. She shares what sparked the idea and how her desire to support her Country drove her to develop and design this service.

She speaks about the need for Startups to conduct research in the market to look at the possible gaps, to then determine if the product or service can be a fit. We discuss some of the unique challenges and set backs specific to her service and how they were addressed, so that they can launch.

Cherie talks about the work and training done to understand the Marketing needs for the business. For example the name changes, brand positioning, marketing strategies and the reason why a public launch was necessary to position Veekle as a "Big Brand" and reputable, safe, reliable, innovative alternative "taxi" service in the Country.

We discuss the power of curating the right Startup team, which is very often multi-skilled and connected persons. Cherie talks about the value of networking. She personally attends a lot of events, because in these spaces she can make the right connections to take the business forward.

What of funding? Cherie talks about bootstrapping her business and the need for entrepreneurs to be wise in determining what to invest in with their own finances. She discusses the challenges of raising funds and getting investors, which is often more difficult for women and black women at that.

We discuss the power of connections and the need to network by attending conferences and being a part of Communities like Tech Beach Retreat and others. Plus much more.

Cherie's journey is truly inspiring, she is an inspiration to female founders and entrepreneurs' who are juggling a family and building a business, which she does with grace.

Cherie's journey stands as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams. She is driven to build her business, and she invites us to come along for the ride, as she takes Veekle forward. 


Bio
Cherie Williams has certifications as a New Jersey Certified Public Accountant, an MBA in Finance, and a BS in Accounting, she is highly accomplished in her field. 

Cherie actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Her diverse achievements and commitment to making a positive impact, positions her as an inspirational figure in entrepreneurship.