Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordon Shaw
Hi Jordon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My wife and I have spent the past several years traveling the country with our daughter, now 15, on a mission to reach all 50 states before she graduates. As coffee lovers and supporters of local businesses, we always make it a point to visit the local coffee shop wherever we go. With a background in IT and software development, I found myself in line at a local coffee shop in May 2021, wondering why they didn’t have a mobile ordering option. A bit of research revealed that, while some mobile apps exist for local coffee shops, they tend to be high-cost solutions.
After a couple of years spent researching and learning about the service industry, I decided to develop an affordable alternative. By May 2023, the first version of Mobilerista was ready, and I brought it to a local coffee shop owner for feedback. His insights, along with those from his staff, were invaluable. I refined the app, and in August 2023, Mobilerista officially launched with its first coffee shop partner.
I didn’t have high expectations; I just wanted to help small businesses. To my surprise, Mobilerista quickly gained traction, with coffee shops signing on and customers actively using it. Now, 15 months later, Mobilerista is used by 56 coffee shops, ice cream shops, and bakeries across 19 states for their mobile ordering needs. My mission from the beginning, and still today, is to provide high-quality, affordable technology for local businesses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. The biggest challenge by far has been time. As a rapidly growing startup, Mobilerista has yet to reach the point where it can fully sustain itself financially, meaning I still hold down a full-time job. Balancing that with family time and building Mobilerista often feels like a marathon with too few hours in the day. There are more days than I’d care to admit where I work on Mobilerista until 4 a.m., catch a few hours of sleep, and then start my full-time job by 8 a.m. It’s a grind, and managing this balancing act has been one of the toughest aspects of the journey. However, the vision of providing an affordable mobile solution to small businesses keeps me motivated, and each milestone makes the late nights worthwhile.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my current role as Chief Technology Officer, I lead transformative technology strategies that shape customer engagement, drive operational efficiency, and foster data-driven decision-making. Over my 25+ year career, I’ve built a reputation as a versatile IT executive known for my ability to balance strategic vision with tactical execution. My experience spans software development, network and information security, data analysis, and project management, all while working within large budgets and complex systems.
What sets me apart is my adaptability and dedication to advancing innovative solutions. For example, I independently developed Mobilerista, a mobile ordering platform for local coffee shops, in response to the lack of affordable mobile solutions in the industry. This project was fueled by my love for technology and commitment to supporting small businesses and has grown beyond my expectations, now serving clients across multiple states.
I’m particularly proud of my ability to bridge the gap between technology and business needs, whether it’s presenting complex technical concepts in boardrooms, managing multimillion-dollar projects, or achieving ISO and SOC compliance to strengthen organizational security. My work has been recognized by IT publications and conferences, but the most meaningful recognition comes from seeing the tangible impact of my work—whether it’s improving an organization’s bottom line or helping local businesses thrive.
My commitment to continuous improvement, both personally and for the organizations I support, is what truly drives me.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big proponent of leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity, especially as a solo developer handling projects that would normally require a full team. AI enables me to tackle complex tasks in record time, from coding to data analysis, allowing me to accomplish more than I could on my own. It’s been a game-changer in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, helping me deliver high-quality results rapidly.
I also value software that supports startups, like Google Workspaces and Amazon AWS, which offer credits and cost-effective resources to help small businesses grow without breaking the bank. These tools enable me to establish and scale Mobilerista while maintaining a lean budget, ensuring I can invest in other essential areas of the business. This combination of AI-driven productivity and startup-focused resources has been instrumental in helping me do my best work, both efficiently and affordably.
Pricing:
- Mobilerista is Free for the customers
- I do charge a 5% transaction fee for the shops; however, I cap those fees at $40 a month, per location, to keep the cost low for the shop owners.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mobiletabletech.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobileristaApp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mobileristaApp
