Kimberley Taylor is the creator of Loop, a new delivery management platform software. The adaptable and intuitive software empowers businesses to optimise and scale their delivery systems, providing measurable value and ROI to major players in the delivery and service space, like Nando’s and Quench.
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Taylor’s inspiration for Loop began with a third-year chemical engineering assignment at Wits in 2015. She developed an algorithm that shortened the possible distance between cities for a traveling salesman, and a conversation with a friend in the logistics industry helped her realise the need for a digitised platform that connected providers with their supply network and customers in an efficient, cost-effective way.
From there, Taylor spent her final year at Wits building Loop based on meetings with potential clients to find out what they needed to provide a faster, smarter service. She landed her first customer based purely on the novelty of her idea!
Loop is a total game changer for businesses, connecting delivery companies with all the players in their operation, from suppliers to customers. It allows dispatch managers to make delivery decisions based on efficiency and cost, guided by data from daily operations.
Loop operates on three platforms: a management console that offers a web-based control portal for clients, a driver app enabled for Android and iOS use, and a customer tracking app where end-users can trace products from the moment they leave the business until they arrive on their doorstep. All of these functionalities are individually configurable for different business models, and that’s what sets Loop apart: its ability to respond in real time to the evolving needs of its users.
Taylor’s unconventional entry into the tech space helped shield her from the intimidating atmosphere that can be dominated by men. She didn’t have any previous business experience and didn’t know anyone in the corporate space. However, her innate strength of character and consistency enabled her to bring Loop into the world and keep her creative juices flowing. Taylor draws inspiration from her mother, a Brazilian immigrant who also built a business from scratch.
“I didn’t know anything about business. I didn’t have adults in my life that were in that corporate space. In some ways, I actually think that helped a lot.” She draws inspiration from her mother, a Brazilian immigrant who also built a business from scratch. “My mom is an incredible woman in her own right. She has such an amazing story. She’s an incredible example of a brave woman who’s lifted herself up.”
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Identifying a gap in the market is a first step that many successful women in the tech industry have taken. It’s about knowing when you’ve got an idea worth sticking to, and why it would make a positive difference.
“I saw such a gap. Drivers don’t have something to help plan their routes. There’s no visibility for the business or the consumer. The communication channels were very complex. That was the basis for what I thought we would build.”
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Feature Image: Kimberly Taylor / Instagram
