Why do 40% of first marriages end in divorce, and what surprising New Orleans startup aims to help?
The episode begins with host Andrew Ward introducing the show and noting he is sitting in for regular host Peter Ricchiuti. Ward opens with statistics on divorce rates, framing it as a common life challenge that requires external help. He introduces Richard Perk, co-founder and CEO of Divorce Plus, a platform connecting people with divorce coaches. Perk explains that coaches are certified or lawyers offering side services, and the platform uses introductory sessions to ensure client-coach compatibility. Ward then introduces Ryan North, co-founder and president of Daycare.com, which matches parents with over 250,000 daycare providers. North discusses how parents search based on quality, cost, and 'vibes,' with the platform offering lead forms and direct connections. The conversation compares the two businesses, with Perk detailing the high costs of big law firm divorces, where multiple attorneys bill simultaneously, driving up expenses. North explains daycare regulations, including state licensing and ratio requirements, and how some states are expanding pre-K, affecting providers. Ward asks about the origins of Daycare.com, and North shares the story of acquiring the domain through an equity exchange, pivoting from a child safety system, and scaling rapidly through data integration. Perk describes the divorce coaching process, using a house-on-fire analogy to differentiate it from therapy, and notes it reduces lawyer calls by half. Both founders address liability, stating their platforms act as marketplaces without direct responsibility for provider actions. They discuss running nationwide businesses from New Orleans, with North highlighting regulatory variations and AI integration for licensing advice, and Perk noting the lack of coaching credentialing. Perk reveals he self-funded Divorce Plus and formed an advisory board, while North mentioned angel investors. The episode concludes with Ward praising both entrepreneurs for their work from New Orleans.
