Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Stewart.
Allen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Blackfoot Taxi was born of opportunity four years ago, in a place which previously lacked even public transportation. It is an environmentally responsible traditional taxi company – using Prius hybrids. But we are at a transition point. With the technology available, the plan is to expand using all-electric cars and generating the energy for them in-house with renewables, thus divorcing ourselves from ‘Big Oil’ forever. This plan coincides with our objective to make this normally dirty business clean.
This stems from my personal beliefs – I am a servant of the Lord, studying the Word a lot more nowadays. My idol is the Lord. We are made in the image… I want to grow up and be like my father.
I drove a taxi, pit in one of the grimiest games in the world. The drivers, the customers, I’m venting. You can’t say who started it… I’m just here to say, you’re going to get straight up and down business with me. The cars have meters, and the prices are posted outside the car as well as on the website. The full site has a fare calculator. I haven’t figured out how to add it to the mobile site yet.
I’m a starting entrepreneur, I do everything around here. And yeah, ‘Whew!’ But if you want it, aspiring go-getters, you have to grind it out most times. All thanks and praises, we are still going into the fourth year. The social media pages are active on the big three – all @blackfoottaxi. I am a bit of an artist and social media is where we show support to various forms of expressions, as well as inform the curious about stuff to do in Atlanta and Georgia, issue notification on the status of the service, all that.
Finally, the area we service is no to low income. We have partnered with a service call Young Teens Talk, a mobilization initiative, to be eyes and photograph local businesses who are hiring. They then post those to their social media, for their 13 – 20ish-year-old following to see. The thinking is if they are working, or otherwise keeping themselves occupied in positive endeavors, they will be less likely to engage in negativity.
This place had no central spot where, say, a 16-year-old can perhaps find a local job, or learn about educational opportunities and programs in walking distance to their house. Young Teens Talk provides that and more. A positive influence on the youth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I started here, there were like, 4 other cab companies. But we were the only way to get around. Now the competition is fierce: there’s illegal rideshare taxis, public transportation, about 7 or 8 Spanish services and Atlanta’s taxis. (Technically, our service area surrounds the airport on the Southside.)
The proper taxis still do business the old way. People phone for a car. If the customer is using an app, they’re likely requesting an illegal rideshare taxi.
After being in this business for a few years, one realizes how dirty it is. Drivers are shady, they overcharge customers and steal each other’s trips. Our cars run constantly, spewing greenhouse gasses the whole time. The rideshare taxis have penetrated this market, drastically changing the idea of what a ride should cost.
So competition has become more numerous, cheaper, and in some cases better. I had to go back to the drawing board. The last two years I have been getting my butt kicked, and I hate to lose. I decided it was time to take over this market. I’ve been here four years, I know what to do.
I analyzed the traditional taxi business model, kept what worked, then eliminated waste as much as possible, deciding technology had advanced enough to go zero E and use electric cars as part of the plan. Blackfoot is still young. Going this direction is not a change but rather a natural evolution.
We have been on the forefront of taxi design since we started. Other taxi companies watch us. Atlanta Checker Cab is often inspired by our work. They have cameras in their vehicles now, too, and are trying to go zero emissions before we do. They have more money, so it may happen. These were my ideas first.
Another challenge we face is not from our competitors, per se, but from the local government in Atlanta. From the looks of things, the illegal rideshare taxis have paid them off. If that is so, we will not be staying here.
I say this bc the government often tweets advertising the Uber service. I didn’t know the city sold advertising. Who do I talk to? I’d love to get the city’s endorsement while informing their following of 550k about my company and current rate specials. I don’t think the government should advertise for a private company. Mine included. Stay out of it and stay neutral.
Please tell us about Blackfoot Taxi.
Blackfoot Taxi is a traditional taxi company serving Atlanta’s Southside.
We are an environmentally responsible entity, a force for good, though most of our customers could care less. They just want a ride that’s cheap, prompt, and clean, and that is what we’re known for to them. Our uniqueness is in our philosophy: Blackfoot Taxis are not out to get you; rather, we are out to get you there. Our drivers take the shortest route and don’t overcharge.
In our next iteration, after this caterpillar goes all butterfly, we will be known in the business as the first all-electric, energy independent transportation service. The plan, as explained earlier, is to use electric cars and make the energy they run on using renewable sources solar, wind and thermo-electric means. The idea is to divorce ourselves from oil. Once those expenses are no longer part of our lives, we can compete with the cheaper illegal rideshare taxis.
It’s all fine and dandy being environmentally friendly, but that’s just one aspect to consider. The numbers have to add up so you’re competitive in your field. It’s a business, first and foremost. What I had to do in my plan was figure out how to make my service price competitive with entities in my industry operating illegally with government support and far more funds. Don’t try this at home, kids. Especially when you’re livelihood is at stake. There are much easier occupations available.
Luckily, I have some things going for me. I’m qualified to build a system and deal with electricity – I was an electronics tech in the Army. I have kept up with developments in technology in my field, or those I can apply to my field. It was a matter of putting the puzzle together. Now I just need the money to put the plan into effect. The easy part is putting together the plan. The hard part is getting funding. Everybody and their mother is invested in Uber or Lyft.
$10,000,000.00 will get it rolling. We have to start building out infrastructure – the Southside is not equipped to refuel electric vehicles. Then we will open up to outside investment. For now, please support our crowdfunding campaign. You can donate at GoFundMe.com/electricblackfoot.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could do it all over, I wouldn’t have made so much debt. In trying to find my identity, in the beginning, I spent way more than necessary, and I’m paying for it now. I miss my pristine credit. The market winds changed and I’m not making as much and sort of stuck.
If I’m speaking ideally, I may have done more research into this industry before signing up. It’s tough. Getting up before dawn, sleeping in the car to avoid missing appointments (easier to get going from there than the bed), and still missed it (knocked phone off center console in sleep, it fell under the seat, whatever). It’s been a wild ride so far.
And I’d give back more. In the beginning, I dropped too much in vein. One is on a learning curve in any business you enter so I’m not terribly hard on myself here. And I still gave during this period. But in retrospect, I feel those funds would have been better invested helping out. I feel blessed to be in the position I find myself and do as much as I can.
Giving back is more important than words can convey. Even if you don’t have it, give something: your time is always welcomed at animal shelters, homeless shelters. Mentoring youngins is another way. We need positive influencers in more kids and adult’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: blackfoot-taxi.com
- Phone: 678-334-8839
- Email: info@blackfoot-taxi.com
- Instagram: @blackfoottaxi
- Other: Crowdfunding Campaign: GoFundMe.com/electricblackfoot
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
