Recently, Go Verde (GV) had a chance to speak with Tessa Petrick, VP of Marketing at ZimRide.com. Here is the conversation:

GV:  Why did you decide to begin this company?

Tessa: Zimride was started because our founders recognized a tremendous inefficiency in how people travelled. Too many vehicles were traveling with single occupants and too many people couldn’t find rides where they needed to go. They realized that if they built a carpooling system that utilized social networks to instill trust and focused on building critical mass within universities and companies they could create successful carpooling communities - and we have!

GV: How can it benefit users financially? How can it benefit the environment?

Tessa: People that commute to work or school can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. Commuting is expensive - and so is long distance travel - and sharing your ride can lessen that burden. Driving our personal vehicles emits a substantial amount of CO2 into our environment. By carpooling we can significantly lower our emissions and each do our own small part to reduce our carbon footprint. Save green. Be green.

GV:  As your business expands, what type of jobs do you anticipate filling out your staff?

Tessa: As we continue to grow we will look to expand our development and university relations teams.  

GV: Where are you based?

Tessa:  We are based in Palo Alto, CA.

GV: What do you look for when you’re hiring?

Tessa: We look for individuals passionate about what we are doing. Many green initiatives hinge on changing people’s behaviors (for the better!) and it takes a lot of dedication and persistence to do that.