If you would have told me 18 months ago that I would be knee-deep in a tech startup with my family, I would have laughed in your face. I have a strong aversion to risk and a glass-half-empty way of looking at things. Turns out, my desire for family and friend connections outweighs both those predispositions.
How many of you have friends or family spread around the globe? When our daughters finished college and moved to different states, we did our best to show up for one another in meaningful ways. No one would have imagined that this season of life would lay the foundation for a company.
Let me introduce you to KOYA (Kindness On YA!), our solution to making it possible to show you care when you can’t be there. KOYA is a free mobile app available on both iOS and Android phones.
Imagine Hallmark greeting cards meets gift cards in a digital experience triggered by location but without the paper or plastic. Here is a short explainer video.
In August, our youngest daughter transitioned to college at Samford University in Birmingham, AL and I felt the weight of distance afresh. However, KOYA allows me to stay connected by sending her fun and thoughtful messages to be discovered serendipitously. It warms my heart to sprinkle KOYA’s for her to find as she enters her dorm, library, neighborhood Target, and other places in and around campus. The fun begins with each KOYA I send her as she is instantly notified that “Mom has sent you a KOYA to discover somewhere in Birmingham, Good luck discovering it!!!” She knows at that moment she is being thought of and now anticipates where and when she’ll discover it. Once she walks into the selected place, she’s notified that a KOYA has been discovered and can tap to view/listen to the personalized message.
Plus, KOYA enables you to transfer money into their PayPal account making it possible to cover the cost of something special. What college student doesn’t enjoy a little extra “just because” money? Consider how that makes her feel? There are many cool features coming soon including a PAY it forward component, the ability to give to charities and a scavenger hunt feature.
We are seeking bloggers to use the app and help up spread kindness through KOYA to their readers. Message me or let’s talk at the conference if you are interested or would like to know more. KOYA is thrilled to be sponsoring the Cream & Sugar coffee bar at Declare Conference this year!
Think of your family and/or friends that would enjoy getting KOYAs. Download the app and start sending them KOYAs today!
This guest post is brought to you by KOYA, a Sponsor of the 2019 Declare Conference.
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