Goodbye, Whence
In June of 2014, Web Smith and a small group of friends launched the service Whence, a local delivery unit that (using Uber) carried various products and dining options right to the consumer’s door. The business was finding success with plans to soon expand service to Cincinnati and Detroit. But not long ago, Whence discontinued grocery and restaurant order deliveries. Changes were afoot. And now comes the word.
His co-founders having already moved on to other ventures, Smith has decided to close up shop and take a position with another Columbus-based e-commerce site (Uncrate). In a posting online, he says:
With my opportunity (of a lifetime) to build the future at Uncrate, I’ve decided to completely shut down Whence in it’s current form. I will be employing a lot of my vision for Whence into future products.
– Web Smith, Whence co-founder
Smith says that he rejected advice to move the company outside of Columbus and that he didn’t want to wait for the potential of investors here. In parting, he offered these lessons that he says he learned.
- 1.Everything works out when you really, really, really want (it) to
- 2. Keep your friends
- 3. Love your family
- 4. Only do the shit you believe in
(jj)
Previous: Whence-ful thinking brings changes to app service 1/19/15
New things are coming to Whence, the local e-commerce service app. On Friday, they launched their first investor round and submitted a software update that will widen its customer base and create dynamic pricing for delivery fees.
With the update, nonsubscribers will be able make orders (instead of just the $5-$10 monthly subscribers) and it will create dynamic pricing for its deliveries by integrating with Uber’s software to incorporate its demand-sensitive ride rates (Uber drivers deliver all Whence orders).
And for an app that deliveries everything from flowers, ice cream, doughnuts, and even Christmas trees – I am definitely looking forward to this new update. I bet that means I have to actually update to iOS 8 … (deb)
Our upcoming v1.2 will expand our reach from 17 miles to 20 miles. pic.twitter.com/clLoXPqjtj
— Whence (@WhenceCo) January 19, 2015
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