Today, I am excited to share more about Lloyd, a startup my brother and I co-founded to serve as a career co-pilot.
What we could have not predicted is this would have been in the midst of a global pandemic, where there is so much uncertainty and sadness.
In times like now when the world is uncertain, Dan and I have often turned to each other, including during critical career moments. The idea of a “family company” and “startup” can almost seem contradictory, but that is what we are—our idea of family is the people who are there for you in the best and worst moments—they tell it to you straight. That’s the type of role Lloyd hopes to play.
With all this said, it has made us ever the more committed to the aim of Lloyd, serving as a career co-pilot. Throughout my years in education and people focused work, I was struck not only by the fragmented nature of the system in many places (it’s almost redundant to say), but of career pathways and guidance specifically. Most of us can remember a teacher, coach, boss, or advisor who made an impact on us—maybe we even kept in touch a bit beyond the “normal” scope of the relationship, after a job change or graduation. But we may also remember someone in a similar role where the relationship did not click, and perhaps we didn’t really receive the guidance we needed; and while ultimately, we need to be responsible for our journeys, better guidance could have helped things from going the wrong way. The current approach is not systematic or longitudinal—and frequently, cost intensive and prohibitive. At Lloyd, we’re looking to create a more systematic, holistic journey for our members. What we do hope to be is a companion on the journey, bringing knowledge from our broader membership, a structure to uncertainty, and data wherever possible to the conversation to support people across the decades.
We can’t pretend to have all the answers—I think anyone who promised that now would and should be questioned. But we are compelled by the need to figure them out, together.
For me, I’d like to thank a few people on this journey. My friends and family, thanks for the support throughout the journey, you have inspired me each and every day. And most of all, thanks to my co-founder Dan, for having the vision and ambition to go on this journey together.
I’d love to learn more about your journey. Get in touch with our team or email me personally (nikki@withlloyd.com).
-Nikki