Through Fire and Oak Episode 7 - P!ng Between with Rob Whitten and Jane Lo

·59 min·5 clips

Erica hosts solo because Sean is home with a sick child, revealing the raw reality of running a family business.

Erica introduces the episode of Through Fire and Oak, recorded at WCTV, noting Sean's absence due to a sick child, which reflects the show's theme of managing family and business. Guests Rob Whitten and Jane Lo join to discuss Ping, their automated drive-thru coffee business that opened six weeks ago. Ping operates via a mobile app, using geofencing and sensors to start orders when customers approach, aiming for a seamless, scanless experience. Rob explains the technology integrates hardware, software, and firmware, with AI adjusting window height based on car size. Jane shares that Ping targets introverts, parents, and commuters who prefer minimal interaction, capturing customers who leave traditional drive-thru lines. They source coffee from Cometeer, partnering with premium roasters like George Howell and Klatsch. The founders debate automation's impact on jobs, arguing it creates higher-skilled roles while complementing barista positions. Erica and the guests delve into the challenges of working as a couple in business, with Erica revealing Sean once called the Veterans Crisis Helpline due to stress. They discuss fundraising, noting investors' skepticism about couples but emphasizing their commitment. Rob and Jane advise aspiring entrepreneurs to build a minimum viable product and commit fully, sharing their own leap from day jobs. The episode touches on introversion in business, with Jane recommending the book 'Quiet' and discussing how she became more extroverted through partnership. Ping's hours are Wednesday-Thursday 7am-2pm and Friday-Sunday 9am-3pm, with the first drink free on the iOS app. The location is at 10 Technology Drive in Lowell, and they are actively fundraising for expansion.

As heard by us

A local business conversation that treats partnership, pressure, and barbecue with equal seriousness.

Erica's turn at WCTV's new podcast room gives this small-business story its shape, with Rob Witten and Jane Lowe of Ping in Lowell bringing the talk back to what it takes to run a company and a family at the same time.

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Why you'd press play

A barbecue conversation about co-owning a small business, running a family, and the decisions that get easier said than done.

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