Erika Mozes is helping hourly paid workers access pay & benefits, fast + connect them to businesses
Think of Hyr as shift insurance. Hyr is the labor marketplace for today’s new economy. We help hourly paid workers access $ and benefits, fast, and hep businesses connect with quality workers when they need them - on a shift by shift basis. Today we are live in hospitality and retail connecting traditional business with hourly paid workers, fast, at the best possible price.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur? Is having your own business something you always wanted to have?
I did not think I would become an entrepreneur. I worked in politics, then became a public affairs executive for large multinational corporations. My aspiration, pre-Hyr, was to climb the corporate ladder. But when my co-founder, Josh, and I came up with the idea for Hyr we both knew this was the biggest thing we would ever work on. Josh truly inspired me to take the leap - which took six months. Its been 2 years and I have never looked back.
How did you come up with your business idea? What inspired you?
When I graduated from university, and got my first professional job, I would have loved to pick up a few bartending shifts a month to help my pay off my student loans faster. Unfortunately, in the hospitality industry that is not an option. Fast forward 15 years, and in my corporate life at McDonald's I saw businesses struggling with a crazy shallow labor pool and an industry suffering because they just can't access people, when they need them. Marry the two ideas together, have a drink on a patio with your partner in life, who is also an HR executive, and the idea for Hyr was born. The thing that makes us truly special, however, is our focus on that worker and the benefits program we created for the 1099 workers on the platform. Because both Josh and I have been those hourly paid workers.
What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life?
I was the lobbyist for McDonald's, and prior to that I worked for Coca-Cola, GSK and Johnson and Johnson in similar roles. As I mentioned I started my career in politics, working as an issues manager and communications executive - which is what prepared me for the pressure and incredibly long hours of starting your own company.
Was it difficult get capital/investors? Has anyone underestimated you as a female entrepreneur? If yes, how did you handle it?
Yes. Everyone says that raising money is one of the hardest things you will go through, and its true. We were very lucky to have great backers early on and raised a significant Angel round prior to closing our series seed in January of 2018. The one piece of advice I will give: have a very thick skin and believe/have a sound business model. It can be daunting to hear the no's, I've easily heard over 100 of them. You will know if someone believes in your business, or does not, pretty quickly. Don't let them waste your time. Pack up, and go. Time is your most valuable asset.