The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

A NEW online web application hopes to change the way Bahamians and residents seek reputable home service providers when it launches its first phase this August.

At the helm of this project, called FindrPro, are Janay Pyfrom-Symonette and her sister Yamel Marshall. Similar to Angie's List in the United States, the duo said FindrPro will offer a new way for people to find, review, endorse and choose the best service providers, specifically in the construction and home maintenance industries.

"Yamel and I have diverse backgrounds, but overall the most exciting part is definitely being able to manage the build and use of technology and identify the logic it requires to make everything come together, which ultimately makes every so much easier and efficient. It's taking things from idea to concept, and to a product, which not only makes life easier but also more sustainable," said Janay.

As a business executive, strategist and entrepreneur, Janay has been in charge of development platforms for a leading online broker for trading stocks and options in the US. Last year, together with her husband, she launched a printing and sign company called Sign Island. Janay recently also led the launch of a finance-tech firm in London, England.

Her sister, Yamel, is all about progress and efficiency and has been an integral part of a government organisation for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in efforts to challenge the status quo in her areas, identity inefficiencies and recommend improvements.

"Our biggest influences are our parents, without a doubt. The work ethic and drive we both have are due to the hard work and dedication we saw growing up. Our mom has worked on the jewellery sales floor for most of our lives and our dads were typical blue-collared workers. My dad passed away almost 10 years ago .Coming home from work, and even up to his last days, his commitment to family, his love for people and work, even though he didn't have a lot, is just inspiring to us," said Janay.

FindrPro, explained was born out of pure frustration. As homeowners, Janay said she and Yamel struggled to find professionals in the home maintenance industry who are available when they need them, reliable and honest.

In 2012, Janay started a local search engine called Island Shop Finder, which focused on finding businesses based on a person's GPS location. With a bit more experience under her belt, in 2014 she realised she needed to re-group and re-define Island Shop Finder, and eventually decide where she was going with it. She ultimately turned it into FindrPro.

Coincidentally, Yamel approached her with the same concept, which was already a work in progress for Janay, so joining forces was the next logical step.

"Our inspiration really boils down to the fact that finding a service provider is harder than it should be. Our overall goal for FindrPro is that on one hand it will be to offer Bahamians the transparency they want in any service industry, such as upfront pricing and availability. FindrPro will be replacing the conversation you'd have to have with every single professional you talk to: 'Hi, here's the problem I'm having' or 'Here's what I need. Can you do it? When? And, if so, how much do you charge?'" said Janay.

Unlike other websites where users search through listings of service providers, Janay said FindrPro generates a list of professionals with price estimates after customers answer questions specific to what they need. The customer can then read through the profiles and reviews, preview photos of their past work and send messages/SMS texts to the professional from the application.

Professionals signed up to the FindrPro's network receive notifications of potential jobs each time a customer answers a questionnaire. While customers will instantly see the service provider's price estimate for that job via FindrPro's dynamic pricing algorithm.

Prior to the company's launch in August, the team is inviting the public to sign up as a FindrPro partner and refer their favourite professionals in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, landscaping, remodelling and other home services and earn $5 for every approved professional. To sign up, visit findrpro.growsumo.com.

"We've actually received amazing feedback and support from the Bahamas Contractors Association and professionals in home maintenance industries. With the increase in VAT soon, the conversations have been very collaborative as small business owners want more ways to get in front of customers actually looking for what they offer without having to pay large advertising costs," said Janay