Tot Squad Divests Cleaning Business
Big news! I’m so excited to share that Tot Squad is now a digital-first online marketplace focused on delivering virtual services to parents! On March 12, BabyQuip, the world's leader in baby gear rentals, acquired our cleaning and repairs business. As a marketplace, Tot Squad will continue to offer parents the support we've always delivered, but now through our trusted providers and partners, like Babyquip for cleaning, plus a whole lineup of experts in sleep and lactation consulting, doulas, babyproofers, car seat technicians, infant nutrition experts, pelvic floor therapists and more. We're initially focused on a telehealth offering with wellness & safety services for new and expecting parents.
BabyQuip will be taking over our partnerships with Uber and Children’s Hospital LA, among others, as we transfer our cleaning expertise to their 600+ Quality Providers in 500+ markets. Additionally, as part of the acquisition, I am thrilled to be serving as an advisor to BabyQuip through this exciting expansion period for their company.
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what’s next for me and the answer is that not much is changing - I'm working on the new Tot Squad! After Charlotte was born, I realized that new parents have a lot more to worry about than just a dirty stroller, and Tot Squad's brand and mission of serving parents remains strong. My vision for the company is now far greater than the service business we exited. Rather than serving parents directly, we are building a scalable, vital marketplace platform that will help parents discover, research and book the providers they need from pregnancy to the playground.
We're reinvesting the proceeds from the exit into the new Tot Squad. I will remain as Chairwoman and CEO of Tot Squad through this exciting transition as we establish ourselves as a technology company, highlighted by our acceptance into the Techstars Anywhere accelerator in January.
Our first-to-market model of virtual car seat installation and safety checks remains with the new Tot Squad as part of our provider network, as do our partnerships with Amazon and Walmart. We continue to deliver car seat installation sold as an add-on to car seat purchases, supporting Tot Squad's leadership position in the car seat safety industry.
It's an odd climate to be celebrating given the pandemic, but I am proud of this personal achievement and even more proud of the team and new business we are building that will help parents, globally. Closing an M&A transaction during an outbreak is one of the most stressful experiences I've ever been through. Once we get through Techstars Demo Day next week, we can discuss over drinks as I hope to more formally celebrate the culmination of 10 years of hard work on the cleaning business after safer at home orders are lifted.
Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about sharing our virtual provider network with parents and parents-to-be, especially in the current times, delivering those families the support and services that Tot Squad has consistently delivered since I founded the company in 2010 after winning the business plan competition at Kellogg.
I hope you'll continue to follow me and Tot Squad on this journey. Every parent needs a squad, so find yours today!
P.S. we're hiring!
Product and Engineering Leader
4yCongrats Jen! Really glad that you were able to get this deal across the finish line and shift your focus to TotSquad’s next chapter.
CFO at Premiere Digital Services | Skilled at driving growth, profitability and operational improvements
4yCongrats Jen to you and your team. Am incredibly impressed with the drive and resilience you have and your ability to pivot - and you’ve always led this way before covid!!
VP at British Swim School USA
4yCongratulations! The future is digital 😉
MD @ Massive.vc, Partner @ The Fund Rockies. 2x Founder. Investing in companies that shape our future.
4yYay! great to see this.
Venture Capitalist Mercury Fund | NACIE | NVCA | Rice University
4yCongratulations!