Single Mom Burnout Pushed Her to Build the Village She Never Had
When Krystin Hargrove looks at the statistics about single mothers in America, she doesn't see struggle narratives or limitations. She sees an untapped market of millions of powerful, decision-making women who deserve better than society's outdated assumptions.
As the founder of CoTripper, the number one platform for single moms, Krystin is on a mission to change how we talk about and support single motherhood. Her journey from corporate employee to startup founder offers valuable lessons for anyone building community-driven businesses, especially those serving underrepresented demographics.
The Problem: Single Moms Need Better Community Support
Krystin’s entrepreneurial journey began with a personal pain point that resonated with millions of women. Despite being a successful career woman with great friends, she felt isolated as a single mom navigating spaces designed for coupled parents.
"I was in a lot of motherhood spaces and quite frankly, it was like so geared towards couple parents that I couldn't relate," she explains. "I thought like, wow, wouldn't it be dope to have a space that is just for single moms? Like, just us kind of vibing about our lifestyles."
The pandemic crystallized this need when Krystin created a private WhatsApp group for single moms. What started as casual conversation quickly became a lifeline for women facing unprecedented challenges while parenting alone.
How to Start a Startup: Lessons from a Single Mom Entrepreneur
Krystin doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of being a Black woman founder in the startup ecosystem. Her advice for aspiring founders is refreshingly practical:
Start hyperlocal: "Find your local ecosystem, find the people that you vibe with, and start there"
Focus on revenue: "Revenue is the best plan"
Build relationships first: "Relationships are more valuable than money"
Own your data: Create platforms you control rather than building entirely on existing social media
Community Building Strategies: Competing with Social Media
Building authentic community in today's digital landscape presents unique challenges. Hargrove acknowledges that "community businesses are really hard to build" and explains why:
"You're fighting for attention, and when you're a community, you're expected to provide value. I don't think social media is intended to provide value. It's just intended to provide information and access and visibility."
Her solution focuses on creating safe, niche spaces where single moms can have conversations they can't have on public platforms without judgment or unsolicited opinions.
Lessons for Community Builders
Hargrove's experience offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build community-driven businesses:
Start with Email
Before apps, before social media presence, build an email list. Own your audience and be able to contact them outside of social media.
Embrace the Long Game
Communities are a long game. It's not something that you are going to overnight be a success at." Focus on providing genuine value to even five people initially—their opinions will help you bring in the next five.
Listen and Pivot
You're not serving your own vision. You're serving the vision of many when you're building a community product. Stay flexible and responsive to your community's needs.
Looking Forward: The Single Mom Economy
As CoTripper prepares for major program launches in 2025, Krystin is working to highlight single moms as a viable consumer market—women who are making more money than ever, raising millions of children, and serving as primary household decision-makers.
The Bigger Picture
Krystin’s story isn't just about building a successful startup; it's about changing narratives and creating space for millions of women to see themselves differently. Her vision extends beyond business metrics to cultural impact.
For entrepreneurs building in underserved markets, community builders seeking authentic engagement, or anyone juggling multiple priorities while pursuing ambitious goals, Krystin’s journey offers both inspiration and practical guidance.
The message is clear: don't wait for permission, don't accept limiting narratives, and don't underestimate the power of community to transform not just businesses, but lives.
— Visit www.cotripper.co
