Today we’d like to introduce you to Rees Gillespie.
Rees, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had just graduated from Florida State University and was going to take a job at a bank in Fort Lauderdale (that I really didn’t have any interest in taking) when I got a phone call that changed my life. My mom, a long-time real estate agent, called to tell me she was on her way to show a house, gave me the listing address, and said to me if I didn’t hear from her in 20-minutes, something was wrong. That’s when I got the idea to create Ripple Safety. I turned down the opportunity at the bank and began developing the world’s smallest personal safety wearable and service.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always challenges when creating something new. And we don’t expect the challenges ever to stop, but as the road progressed, the difficulties took different forms. Initially, it was raising money, then became a developmental challenge of creating a product and service that didn’t exist before, later it became a challenge to execute, and now that we have launched, our challenge is scaling and delivering a truly unmatched service 24-hours a day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ripple Safety – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our technology keeps you safe on the go – whether at school, on the job, or at home – across the United States 24/7, all triggered by a tiny wearable device that’s the size of a dime – think wearable On-Star, but outside of the car and for everybody from college students to grandparents.
Ripple Safety is a 24-hour professional monitoring service just like home security but for you, personally, as you go about your everyday life. Clicking the smallest wearable personal safety device triggers our monitoring teams of trained experts who are standing by to send police or an ambulance straight to the wearer’s location.
Using Ripple is simple – download the Ripple Safety app on your iPhone or Android, build out your profile with physical and medical information, and connect your Ripple button. Your profile can be set up to dispatch Police, Medical, or Fire Rescue, and you can also add friends or family members as emergency contacts.
Old way: When an emergency occurs, you used to have to get to your phone, enter your passcode, dial 9-1-1, tell them who you are, explain the situation, and give them an exact address… all while trying to defend yourself or handle the situation in front of you. In an actual emergency, there’s no time for that, and you may not be able even to find your phone, let alone place the call and have a conversation.
The Ripple way: click your button 3 times, and we’ll dispatch your preselected emergency response directly to your location. We tell them who and where you are, provide physical information to identify you, and pass on crucial medical information that could make all the difference — all in a matter of seconds, without you having to say a single word.
But Ripple does more than solve emergencies; we’re there for the uncomfortable situations as well. Whenever something doesn’t feel right, just click your Ripple button once to trigger an immediate call from the Ripple Team to your cell phone. This is perfect for those late-night walks home from the bar, across campus, or to your car in a deserted parking garage. Our team stays on the phone with you until you safely get to your destination, and we have all the information we need to get you help at a moment’s notice if need be.
Many elements set us apart from everybody else – we’re the smallest, the least expensive, the most robust in our offering, but what I’m most proud of is the level of service we deliver. People call us every day thanking us for the feeling they get knowing we’re always there for them and that, alone, gives you the focus and energy each morning to get up and keep making it better than it was yesterday.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The verticals and markets we can tap into are virtually endless, everybody is looking for an added layer of safety, so opportunities are everywhere. Currently we are discussing some significant partnerships, but I would say the most significant endeavor down the road is making Ripple’s service available in countries beyond the United States.
Pricing:
- Wearable button: one-time cost of $19
- Service: 24/7 nationwide just $10/month
- Available on Amazon “Ripple Safety”: $19 (Button + 1-month free service)
- Available on Amazon “Ripple Safety”: $119 (Button + 1-year of service)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ripplesafety.com
- Phone: 754-216-2909
- Instagram: @Ripplesafety
- Facebook: @Ripplesafety
- Twitter: @Ripplesafety
Image Credit:
Credit: Ripple Safety
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