Whether you use your preprogrammed weather app, or you have probed the app store in search of the best one, at the end of the day you have an impersonal relationship with the weather. Yes, you may have access to an hour by hour forecast, but you can rarely ask questions to forecasters, receive disaster warnings and create custom forecast results. This is why My Concierge Weather (MCW) is a must download for anyone that cares about the weather. MCW provides a more personal weather experience and access to real meteorologists.
AlleyWatch chatted with the My Concierge Weather team about the Startup and how they plan to grow as a company.
Tell us about the product or service.
My Weather Concierge® is a new and unique mobile weather app, powered by a group of tremendously talented forecasters providing you with handcrafted weather forecasts for cities across the country, 365 days a year. Simply choose one of our local forecasters and have always-on access to their forecasts.
Our forecasters can also be your very own Personal weather concierge. Planning an Event? Traveling for Business or Pleasure? Delays? Cancellations? Bring a coat or my flip flops? Whatever your weather question, our forecasters have the answer!
How is it different?
Why settle for impersonal weather apps that spit out ‘forecasts’ based on algorithms? Lines of code cannot hold a candle to a real meteorologist (even on a dark and stormy night)! We offer you your very own Meteorologist 24/7 who you can contact directly
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
Given that 46 percent of app users report having paid for their apps, that’s big money, too. By 2017, it’s expected that over 268 billion downloads will generate $77 billion worth of revenue.
What is the business model?
We are a subscription based Freemium Model, charging $0.99 per month
What inspired the business?
Jason has been forecasting weather for over 30 years. Over the past several years, he realized the power and promise that social media holds for atmospheric scientists and broadcast meteorologists – power to follow and connect over their passion, and share knowledge to keep people informed, safe and entertained.
The rapid growth of his own Facebook forecast page led Jason to co-create My Weather Concierge®, a first-its-kind app that puts the power elite forecasters to anyone’s hands –offering personalized forecasts for any and all occasions.
Jason has shared his weather wisdom on The Weather Channel’s “Weather Gone Viral” and SIRIUS SM radio. He remains active as a winter weather expert and a Long Range Forecasting Analyst as he develops My Weather Concierge®.
How do you think about user acquisition for your app in an already crowded marketplace?
We make sure that we provide a very personalized service for each and every user. The personalization of technology is key for us to build our audience. Much of which has been organic. I would say over 95%
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
Having this business acquired is the key milestone we are looking to achieve.
What is the one piece of startup advice that you never got?
Never ever take no for an answer. There is always a solution to any problem if you look at it long enough.
If you could be put in touch with anyone in the New York community who would it be and why?
It would be the Governor. I think he is an amazing visionary, and he could apply the MWC platform across ALL of NY State to help save lives.
Why did you launch in New York?
Born and raised, and the center of the world, not to mention offers amazing seasonal weather.
What’s your favorite rooftop bar in NYC to unwind?
The Gansevoort