Every great startup begins with a problem. For Scott Thomas, Founder & CEO of Shuttle Works, that problem was clear: parking and transportation in his beach community were a mess, and they were only getting worse. What started as a simple idea to launch a local shuttle service quickly evolved into something much bigger—a technology platform that empowers anyone to create their own fixed-route shuttle system.
Q1: Could you tell us a little bit about your company?
Shuttle Works is a transportation technology platform that empowers anyone to create and manage a fixed-route shuttle system with ease. Our solution provides users with a branded website featuring an interactive map that displays real-time vehicle locations, multiple route options, and estimated arrival times at each stop.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching a new transportation service, a business enhancing customer mobility, a property owner monetizing vehicles or parking spaces, or a nonprofit providing community transportation, Shuttle Works will offer a seamless, scalable solution to meet your needs.
Q2: What inspired you to start your own company?
After years of working in tech, I suddenly found myself unemployed. It was an unexpected turning point, but instead of jumping back into another corporate role, I decided to take a risk and build something of my own. I had always admired friends who had started businesses, and I saw this as my opportunity to do the same.
Living in a coastal town in North Carolina, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of parking and accessibility—especially as the population grew. I also saw how local businesses were working together to create year-round economic opportunities, rather than relying solely on seasonal tourism.
Originally, I planned to launch a local shuttle system, complete with vehicles and hired drivers. But as I started mapping out the logistics, I realized the real gap was in the technology. I needed a specialized platform to manage the routes, track vehicle locations, and provide real-time updates. When I shared my vision with trusted friends and local networking groups, they all asked the same question: “Why, as a tech guy, are you focusing on the high-cost transportation business instead of the software?” That’s when I made the shift—turning my idea into a scalable tech solution instead of a capital-intensive shuttle service.
Q3: What previous experiences influence your role today?
My background in software product management played a huge role in shaping this company. I’ve spent years working alongside developers to bring ideas to life, and that experience gave me the confidence to take this concept from an idea to an actual product.
Q4: What are the biggest challenges you’ve encountered as a startup founder this far, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the effort required to build a business while keeping everything else in life moving forward. Time, money, and energy are always in limited supply.
Another challenge? Rejection. When you’re building something new, not every idea will be a winner. I’ve had plenty of moments where I pitched an idea that I thought was great, only to have people shoot it down. And honestly? Most of the time, they were right. The key is to take that feedback, learn from it, and adjust your approach without letting it discourage you.
Q5: Do you have any mentors or role models who have inspired you while you have been building your business?
I’m fortunate to have close friends who have successfully built businesses, and watching them has been incredibly motivating. Their experience showed me that if I’m willing to put in the work, I can achieve this too.
That being said, I also recognize that this may not be the business that defines my success—but I know that going through this process is teaching me invaluable skills and giving me the perspective I need to build something great, whether it’s this startup or the next one.
Q6: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and future startup founders based on your own experiences and lessons learned?
Start. That’s the biggest piece of advice I can give.
If you can, start early. While it’s absolutely possible to dive into entrepreneurship later in your career, I wish I had taken some of these risks sooner.
Talk to people who have been through the journey—nothing compares to the education you get from real conversations with business owners and founders. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. More often than not, people are willing to offer advice, guidance, or even connections that can make all the difference.
This is still a new journey for me, and I know there’s more to learn. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that taking the leap was the right decision.