Mission43 Entrepreneur Course Alum Launches App
Malcolm Brown was an Air Force crew chief on the KC-135 airframe. He loved serving his country and now that his military service is complete, he’s turning his focus to serving his local community. He recently launched WeLoLo (We Love Local), a mobile-application focused on creating a movement of kindness in Idaho communities. Malcom used the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course to test his business idea prior to launch, and grew his network by becoming a Mission43 Leaders Fellow. With WeLoLo in hand, he’s recruiting others to join him in his mission.
With the onset of COVID-19, Malcolm recognized the detrimental impact to small businesses and committed to creating a way to promote positive change and a sense of community through intentional acts of kindness.
“It was tough to watch the local businesses, especially coffee shops, cafés, and bars, either shut down completely or have to lay-off their entire staff. To me, that was a sign of things to come. Through life, I have seen how quickly the DNA of a neighborhood can change, not always for the better, when the mom & pop stores and other local businesses either go out of business or get replaced by large chains and big-box stores.”
Starting a business at any time can be daunting, especially in a time of economic uncertainty, but Malcolm believes in the power of doing good and has a strong support system to help see the WeLoLo concept take off. As more businesses join the platform, he sees it functioning like YELP, only without all of the negative reviews.
Generosity is a superpower, kindness is currency
You’ve heard the saying, “pay it forward”. Well, WeLoLo makes it easy to do just that! Users of the app can practice intentional acts of kindness in a just few easy steps:
Choose a participating local business
Select a participant from a list of supported community groups, OR enter a name and share from your phone’s contact list
Choose your method of payment and submit!
If you’re looking to brighten a particular person’s day, they’ll receive a text or email notification to redeem funds, from $5-$100, at the chosen location. If you’d rather pay it forward to a stranger, you can choose from community groups like healthcare workers, first responders, educators, and military members/veterans.
Supporting Idaho’s small businesses
WeLoLo is building a movement around promoting locally-owned, small businesses and the customers they serve. You won’t see any large corporations on their partner listing. This ensures your generous gifts stay in, grow, and serve Idaho communities. Right now, you can gift a cup of coffee (or even add in a breakfast burrito) from Alchemist Coffee (@alchemistcoffeeroastingco) in Boise. Other local favorites that will be on the platform soon include:
Nomad Bev Co (@nomadbevco)
Neckar Coffee (@neckarcoffee)
Green Acres Food Truck Park (@greenacresboise)
Blue Cow Frozen Yogurt (@bluecowfrozenyogurt)
Sending a WeLoLo from your favorite coffee shop to a friend or colleague can lead to discovery of new local businesses. WeLoLo is currently focused on food and beverage locations because they result in little friction when incorporated into the platform, but Malcolm hopes to expand options to include services like barber shops, nail salons, and outdoor recreational activities.
How can you partner or support?
Click here to get on the platform and send a WeLoLo to someone deserving of a surprise pick-me-up.
To find out how you can support or partner with WeLoLo, reach out to malcolm@welolo.app, click here to be taken directly to the WeLoLo contact form, or support WeLoLo directly with a gift using this link.
Thinking of starting your own business?
If you live in Idaho and you’re a military veteran, military service member, or military spouse thinking about launching your own business, use the form below to connect with a Mission43 Education Specialist.