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Black Entrepreneur's Journal - Issue 3
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPOTLIGHT
By Tamika DeGannes
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SPOTLIGHT ON—Kelise Williams— Row, the App
A Note on Getting Started
Now more than ever, business owners are leaning into the use of technology to make their services more accessible to their customers. One of the most trending tools to improve the e-commerce experience is currently the use of online apps. Kelise Williams, also known as Kelise Travels on Instagram and Youtube, is a young Black entrepreneur who helps immigrants settle successfully, with a new app called Row.
The Trinbagonian immigrant herself, describes Row as a virtual marketplace that “connects both immigrants and persons thinking about immigration with trustworthy immigration consultants, lawyers, career coaches, settlement services providers and education consultants.” Through the services offered on the app, the aim, according to its founder, is “to lower the level of uncertainty and anxiety involved in immigration by making the process a smoother one.”
Kelise Williams
On May 29th, 2022, the Row app was launched as a minimum viable product (MVP). According to Techopedia an MVP is “a development technique in which a new product is developed with sufficient features to satisfy early adopters.” It goes on to explain that “the final, complete set of features is only designed and developed after considering feedback from the product’s initial users.” For new app developers like Kelise Travels, the MVP is a great tool that provides essential data by allowing potential customers to demo the app and improve where needed, based on the feedback provided. Thus far, the Row app has shown evident success from the data collected. In only 60 days from the launch, Row has performed over 408 demonstration calls, 375 customer profiles were created, and has completed 102 transactions. In total, the app has helped over 1094 users with a 100% review rating of 5-stars.
The tech start-up entrepreneur also celebrated that “since the launch of Row we have extended these various settlement services to five cities across Canada through various settlement service providers.” With cultural inclusivity at the forefront, the goal, Kelise shared, is “to have settlement service providers in every city across the country and from every major ethnic group.” These service providers will help new immigrants to transition into their new life in Canada by bridging cultural and language barriers and supporting their adjustment to life in Canada with dignity.
The Row app was developed as a solution to the demand for worldwide immigration service assistance, a business Kelise Travels started operations in Edmonton, Alberta. In conjunction with the app, the immigration entrepreneur also offers more hands-on services for immigrants who are landing in Edmonton. These services include Airport Pickup, Apartment Acquisition, Job Hunting, Moving Services, and Accompaniment to Source Important Documents. Additionally, customers gain access to a private Facebook group called ‘The Village’ with fellow immigrants in various stages of the process. There, you can find many reviews of their experience with Kelise’s immigration services and connect and build relationships with persons who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
In the near future, Kelise shared we can look forward to plans for expansion. As the business is rapidly growing, they are eager to hire more staff and look forward to investor partnerships. We can also look forward to the Row app being accessible in Google and Apple App stores. Currently, Row is a web-based app and is available via Row.services.
To get in contact with Kelise, follow her on IG and Youtube at Kelise Travels and send an email at info@settlesuccessfulservices.ca
