Milwaukee Stop Pumping Your Own Gas with PumpFive Fuel Delivery Service
Based on a monthly membership, Milwaukee residents get the luxury of having a full tank without needing to stop at a gas station thanks to PumpFive Fuel Delivery Service. Owner Talethea Thompson found an innovative idea and brought it to the city in April of 2018.
Once the app is downloaded and membership is paid, PumpFive staff will come to your parked car and fill your tank up. Customers have the option to pick a time for fill up, even though most fill ups are currently during the evening. The customer must provide the car’s location and to make sure the gas cap is accessible for the staff.
Thompson uses transfer tanks that have a gas pump and meter to provide on-site gas. In the near future, Thompson plans on getting a second transfer tank.
“It’s just one less thing you have to take time out of your day to do,” said Thompson.
When Thompson thought of the idea for PumpFive, she did some research and discovered other cities were already providing this service.
“If you see someone else can do it, it can be done,” she said. “Make yourself a business, do what you have to do.”
Thompson does admit that when she first went into business, she had to learn everything from scratch.
Talethea Thompson. (Picture provided by Talethea Thompson)
“I started [the business] knowing I didn’t know anything about the industry,” she said. Thompson added that she’s still learning, but she’s glad to make mistakes now then later on. “This is early enough in the game to learn.” Plus, she said it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you aren’t making the same ones.
Through the learning process, Thompson has the support of her family who help with whatever she may need at the time.
“It’s been really [amazing] for my kids to see this idea I had turn into a business,” Thompson said.
Recently, Thompson lost a contract with the City of Milwaukee based off some information that she didn’t know. Due to not knowing the answer, the contract went to a company out of state. Even though it was a loss, Thompson is at least happy to have found out some much needed information.
She stated that’s there a lot of more information out there and that she needs to go to more trade shows and expos.
According to Thompson, PumpFive is focused on growing its service offerings to include businesses and their fleets, auto dealerships and companies looking to offer perks to their employees.
PumpFive is still going and finding new customers. Chrishella Roché, owner of Vibez Creative Arts Space, just became a recent customer and loved her experience.
Roché heard of PumpFive on social media and decided to sign up because of the COIVD-19 but plans to continue to use their services even after the virus pandemic is over.
“It came in really handy. She was very efficient, and they made sure they were safe,” said Roché. “As a business owner, sometimes you just don’t have the time.”
“It’s great to have them come to you,” she added.
Thompson is a fighter and has accomplished many things for her business. She encourages other Black women to create, plan and execute whatever they want out of life.
“Black women are smart and powerful and we have great ideas. It’s a trip the stuff we will come up with…but then life gets in the way,” Thompson said. “I was doing the same thing until I launched my own business, instead of working for someone else.”
“Launch it…you don’t need permission,” she added.
To sign up for PumpFive Fuel Delivery, click here.