Omaha entrepreneur Kellee Mikuls creates a startup that transforms how parents schedule babysitters
Like many parents, Swishboom co-founder Kellee Mikuls has experienced the struggle of searching for a babysitter.
A mother of three girls, Mikuls says she was inspired to create Swishboom based on this common problem. Launched in July 2020, Swishboom is a free app that helps families schedule babysitters using referrals from family and friends.
Casting a wider net
While services such as Care.com help families line up caregivers, Mikuls says Swishboom is unique because it allows people to use their networks to find a sitter. By downloading the app, parents can add their contacts and share jobs with friend-approved sitters rather than strangers.
“The beauty of the app is that you download it and immediately it prompts you to add your friends and family that have kids,” Mikuls says. “You post a job and you can get it claimed within minutes.”
An ex-basketball player, Mikuls says the app’s name came from her time playing the sport in high school.
“I knew I wanted to incorporate swish somehow to give a nod to my basketball days, and boom was that something [that is] sweet and happens quick,” she says. “That’s really what the app is.”
The importance of connecting
Since Swishboom launched nationwide, Mikuls says the app has built connections between families, something she values as a mother. During the pandemic, the app also allowed parents to work and provide for their families while sitters helped their children with remote learning.
With restrictions easing, Mikuls looks forward to seeing how the app grows as people venture out again.
“That’s what Swishboom is about: giving parents the grace to have a break and reconnect with people,” she says. “It’s so important, especially after COVID.”
Embrace imbalance
After quitting her job to start Swishboom, Mikuls says she felt happier once she pursued her passion. Looking back on her own story, she encourages people to focus on their mental health and drop the need for perfection.
“You’re not going to have it all figured out, but just keep going,” Mikuls says. “Keep moving and follow your heart.”
About Kellee Mikuls
Kellee Mikuls is the Co-Founder of the nationwide mobile babysitting app, Swishboom. She is originally from Kailua, Hawaii, but migrated to Omaha due to her growing family and undying love for her husband, Joe. Kellee’s background is in marketing and sales, with over 10 years of experience as a commercial real estate broker at CBRE. When she isn’t working on her startup, you can find Kellee exploring Omaha restaurants or at one of her kids’ sporting events.
