Postmates, an on-demand delivery platform, connects customers with local couriers. “You can order almost anything, except alcohol, tobacco (in Texas), and people,” says Connie Phan, Community Manager for Postmates in Dallas. Since 2011, when Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, and Sean Plaice founded the company, it has expanded into 40 U.S. metropolitan markets with several new cities launching each month.
While their headquarters is located in San Francisco, Postmates has offices in 40 U.S. cities, including Houston, Dallas, and Austin. With the company’s rapid growth, Houston Community Manager Lindsay Bartels soon decided to move the local office to a coworking space, but knew that she needed a combination of private meeting rooms and open space. “We are a casual company, but we need to look professional, so Novel Coworking has been a great change for us. I also like the feeling of being close to other entrepreneurs,” says Bartels.
Bartels’ interest in startups and entrepreneurism was piqued in college, where she first heard about Postmates. “I wanted to be part of something new and watch it grow. I was looking for something to pop up in Houston, and as soon as Postmates opened a branch, I applied,” says Bartels. Since joining the fast-growing company, she has managed hiring, training, and marketing for her branch as the sole employee in Postmates’ Houston office.
Likewise, Phan established Postmates’ Dallas office within Novel Coworking Dallas, where she hires and manages her market’s fleet. For greater ease, the company offers flat rate delivery fees and promotions every week. “Our partnership with Chipotle, Starbucks, and 7-11 has kicked things up a notch,” says Phan. She has been working in Novel Coworking since early 2015 and uses Novel Coworking’s conference room for daily info sessions.
“People are so busy and often cannot leave the office to get things like lunch or dinner. We can deliver diapers and wipes to moms within the hour. If you’re sick, you can stay in bed and we will bring you cough syrup,” says Bartels. “Postmates is innovative because they are providing something that most people need, with the convenience of delivery.”