Paige Wilson of Naborforce
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Paige Wilson (founder and CEO) of Naborforce, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Naborforce – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
Like many entrepreneurs, I was inspired to found Naborforce in order to solve a problem I experienced firsthand. 10 years ago, my aging mother broke her hip and started needing a little bit of support. I wanted to do everything for her, but I was also juggling my career and raising my family. My mother did not need an aide or nurse yet – literally what we needed was another me! That’s what Naborforce does; we basically provide a “son or daughter on-demand”! Our tech platform matches older adults and their family caregivers to a network of Nabors for on-demand assistance with all those little things that keep our parents and grandparents independent and happy.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Creating a solution in a total white space is challenging. When there is no real competitor or similar solution, it is difficult to get the word out, especially for direct-to-consumer companies. No one is Googling for our solution – they don’t know they have this option!
What does the future hold for Naborforce?
With 11 thousand Baby Boomers turning 65 every day for the next ten years, there is no lack of demand for Naborforce! We will continue to build out B2B channels and are projecting to be serving 75 Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets nationwide in the next 3 years.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Richmond?
The startup ecosystem in Richmond is really coming along. Folks like Startup Virginia, Activation Capital, and Lighthouse Labs are doing a tremendous job at supporting early stage companies. The landscape of early stage investors is still a bit sparse, and maybe a little more risk averse than markets like the Valley, Boston, or Austin, but that is continuing to develop as well.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Do not start a company just because you think you will get rich. First of all, 9 out of 10 startups fail. But more importantly, if you are not 1000% passionate and driven to the solve the problem, it will be impossible to stay committed when things get really tough – and they will! But, if you can weather the hard times, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the impact you can make!