A small business story, rooted in family
NextMe’s origins began when brothers and co-founders James and John Yi observed the pain points of managing the customer flow at their mother’s own small business. While just 8 and 10 at the time, the Yi brothers saw an opportunity to help service-based businesses solve their dreaded wait times and make waiting more meaningful. Flash forward a few decades and many learnings later, NextMe is now helping thousands of businesses across over 30 verticals retain more revenue, improve reviews, and craft delightful waiting experiences for their customers…
“What did she always say about the power of pennies? John Yi broke eye contact as he tried to remember the lesson his mother would tell him and his brother when they were kids…”
A mother’s advice
Anna, their single mother who immigrated from Korea, taught the brothers the importance of customer service at an early age when she started her own small business – a beauty salon located in the basement of a high-rise building in Chicago.
While their mother was busy with customers at the salon, the Yi brothers would help out at the front-of-house and manage her waitlist of customers. They were responsible for everything from greeting customers at the cashier to up-selling complementary goods and services to customers to help their mother make some additional income – including their own dog walking service.
Our mission
NextMe’s mission is simple – to help businesses make waiting more meaningful for everyone.
Similar to how the Yi brothers helped their mother’s small business, NextMe is passionate in helping local businesses leverage software to create amazing experiences and first impressions at the front of the house that nurture lasting customer relationships.
