About Us
First launched in Genesee County, MI, Gas Money is a platform that enables clients to find and hire young adults in their area for the completion of home- and yard-based services. These services include jobs such as lawn mowing, landscaping, and car washing, to name a few, but our goal is to eventually accommodate any service that can be completed by a high school or college-aged young adult. Unlike other gig-based platforms, Gas Money is fully student-led, and all contractors that offer services on the Gas Money App are 16-24 years old. Gas Money contractors can create their own schedules and communicate directly with clients through the app, and they also have the ability to collaborate with other contractors in their area. The Gas Money App is completely free to use, and it generates revenue on a commission-based model from completed jobs. Gas Money is more than just a service platform: we are the workforce of the future.
Our Mission
To provide young adults with the opportunity to become their own boss and develop real-world skills in communication, leadership, and accountability.
Our Goals
Provide valuable experiences
Gas Money is more than just a platform; we are an opportunity for education and growth. Our founders, currently 19 and 20 years old, have personally went through these experiences with Gas Money and they want to share this opportunity with as many of their peers as possible.
Partner with high schools and colleges
By forming partnerships with high schools and colleges, we can make Gas Money more accessible to young adults everywhere. In the near future, we hope to establish scholarship opportunities and assist in connections for young adults who work with us.
Bring communities together
No matter where you use Gas Money, you are supporting local business! Due to the location-based system of our app, client-contractor and contractor-contractor connections will always result in a new connection with someone in your community.
Expand across the nation
Our largest goal is to have Gas Money available in all 50 states. In addition to helping young adults make some extra gas money, we believe our platform can change the lives and perspectives of younger generations for the better.
Our Backstory
Gas Money LLC (pre-app) was established in January of 2020 by co-founders Robert Walker and Austin Pariseau. At the time, the pair had previously done odd jobs around their community of Davison, MI, and they felt like they had reached the point to begin hiring helpers. Rather than seeking outside helpers, the duo looked to their friends from high school to help them with jobs. Their friends soon developed a love for the work, as they were able to make their own schedules, set their own rates, and best of all, work with their closest friends.
After door knocking, handing out flyers, and posting regularly on Facebook, Robert and Austin found Gas Money growing much quicker than expected in their community. Their contractors (who were also their friends and peers) enjoyed the work, and their clients loved the idea of supporting local students. This success with both contractors and clients is what first brought about the idea for growing Gas Money beyond local barriers.
In order to scale any company, a well-designed, automated process is generally essential for expansion. When considering this knowledge, Robert and Austin set their goals on a mobile app, which could easily serve to connect young adults with clients in their area and vice versa. In fall 2020, in addition to working 40-45 hours per week on lawn care and landscaping as well as handling phone calls, scheduling, and processing payments, Robert and Austin began the first stages of developing their app.
Using an app called Upwork, the duo connected with a software development company out of Aliso Viejo, CA, Daden LLC. After meeting with the CEO and Chief Architect, Chris Daden, Robert and Austin decided to go forward with development plans and bring their goals to reality. From early winter of 2020 to late summer of 2021, the pair worked non-stop with Daden LLC to get the Gas Money App as close to their vision as possible.
Today, although still in its first and earliest version, the Gas Money App provides every function necessary for clients to find and hire young adults in their area for home- and yard-based services. With a huge list of planned updates and added features, Robert and Austin plan to continue adding onto the app to make it even easier and rewarding to use. Currently based in Genesee County, MI, the app is set to begin expanding to new areas across Michigan throughout Fall 2022. For more of this story, check out Gas Money's social pages and tune in to our podcast!
Alex Tadajewski, one of Robert and Austin's friends from school, finishing a Gas Money leaf cleanup.
Meet the Founders
Austin Pariseau
Austin Pariseau
Austin Pariseau
Currently 21, Austin has fully dedicated himself to entrepreneurship and Gas Money. Austin is a recipient of the Edna Diehl Scholarship, which is awarded by Davison High School to individuals with strong knowledge and success in business.
Robert Walker
Austin Pariseau
Austin Pariseau
Currently 20, Robert is a junior at Florida State University and is pursuing a major in Marketing and minor in Commercial Entrepreneurship. Robert is an Eagle Scout, National Merit Finalist, and was the Valedictorian of the Davison High School Class of 2020.