We were lucky to catch up with Jillian Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jillian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

HERide was born out of necessity and personal experience. As a Black woman and a former rideshare driver, I saw firsthand the challenges women face in the rideshare industry, both as passengers and as drivers. Stories like that of Chanti Dixon, who tragically lost her life while simply trying to do her job, highlight the urgent need for safer alternatives.

For me, this mission is deeply personal. After driving for other platforms, I noticed the lack of real safety measures for women, as well as the financial struggles of drivers who barely made ends meet. I knew there had to be a better way. HERide is more than just another rideshare company, it’s a platform built to prioritize safety, fairness, and economic empowerment for women.

This mission matters because I’ve lived the realities we’re working to change. We’re not just offering rides; we’re redefining what safe, equitable transportation looks like for women, ensuring they can get where they need to go without fear and that drivers are paid fairly for their work. That’s why I started HERide, and that’s why I won’t stop until we’ve made ridesharing safer for everyone.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Jillian Anderson, the founder of HERide, a women-centered rideshare company dedicated to safety, fairness, and economic empowerment in an industry that has long overlooked these priorities. My journey into the rideshare space started when I drove for other platforms and quickly realized the glaring safety risks and financial inequalities that both women drivers and passengers face. I knew there had to be a better solution, so I built one.

My Background & What Led Me Here:
Before founding HERide, I was a three-sport athlete in college and majored in computer science, which makes me a technical founder with a deep understanding of how to build and scale technology-driven businesses. Competing at a high level in sports taught me discipline, resilience, and leadership, qualities that have directly contributed to how I run HERide. My background in tech and athletics gives me a unique perspective on problem-solving, teamwork, and pushing through adversity, all skills I’ve used to grow this company.

What HERide Does Differently:
HERide is not just another rideshare app, it’s a movement. We provide a safe and reliable transportation option for women and nonbinary individuals, ensuring they feel comfortable every time they get into a car. At the same time, we prioritize driver earnings, with a model that allows them to keep 80% of their fares, substantially more than what traditional rideshare platforms offer. Unlike competitors who focus solely on profits, we are mission-driven, aiming to protect riders and empower drivers financially.

What Sets HERide Apart:
-Safety First: Our platform verifies both riders and drivers, requiring profile photos to ensure authenticity. We also have a zero-tolerance policy for safety violations.
-Better Pay for Drivers: We pay drivers 80% of the fare, which is higher than Uber and Lyft, giving them a real chance to make a sustainable income.
-Women Supporting Women: Our platform is designed to create economic opportunities for women in the gig economy.
Community-Centered Approach: We listen to our drivers and riders and make real-time adjustments to improve our service.

Proud Moments & Milestones:
HERide has come a long way since launching.
-Completed over 5,000 rides and grown a community of 50,000 app users.
-Became the third rideshare company approved at the Atlanta Airport, a major milestone proving we can stand alongside industry giants.
-Raised nearly $200,000 in funding from grants, family, and friends in a climate where Black women receive less than 1% of venture capital funding.
-HERide exists because traditional rideshare platforms were not built with women’s safety or financial well-being in mind. We’re here to change that narrative. I’m most proud of the fact that we are providing a real alternative, proving that a rideshare company can prioritize safety, fairness, and profitability for drivers, all at the same time.

To anyone considering HERide, whether as a rider, a driver, or a supporter, I want you to know this: we are not just a company, we are a mission-driven movement working to make ridesharing safer and more equitable for everyone.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met DeVynne Starks in college at Albany State University, where I was her resident assistant during her freshman year. Even back then, I noticed her strong work ethic, leadership skills, and passion for helping others succeed.

Years later, when my former co-founder suddenly quit, I found myself needing someone I could trust, someone who truly believed in the mission of HERide. I had always seen how much DeVynne supported HERide from the very beginning, cheering on every milestone and advocating for what we were building. At the time, she was running her own boutique PR agency, so I knew she had the business and communications expertise we needed.

Recognizing her strategic mindset and ability to amplify brands, I reached out and offered her the co-founder position. She accepted, and it’s been one of the best decisions for HERide. Together, we’re building something bigger than just a rideshare company—we’re creating a movement for safer and more equitable transportation.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve been a social media junkie since middle school, growing up in the generation that helped shape social media into what it is today. I’ve always understood how to use it for both entertainment and as a strategic tool, which played a huge role in how I built HERide’s audience.

One of the biggest things that helped was being authentic and staying aware of trends. I made sure to curate content that aligned with what was happening culturally, while still staying true to HERide’s mission. But one lesson I had to learn the hard way was the importance of being mindful of personal opinions when using my own platform. As the face of my brand, everything I say and do is a reflection of HERide, so I’ve learned to navigate that balance carefully.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be:

1. Stay on top of trends—but only participate in those that align with your brand.
2. Engage with your audience—social media isn’t just about posting, it’s about building a community.
3. Be intentional with your personal brand—if you’re the face of a business, know that people will associate your opinions and actions with your company.
4. Experiment and track what works—analytics are your best friend when growing a brand online.
At the end of the day, social media is a powerful tool when used correctly, and I’ve leveraged it to bring visibility, credibility, and growth to HERide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HERide.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getheride
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getheride
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealbop/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/getheride

Image Credits

Photographer: Aspired Dream Productions @dreax.2 on IG