Richmond, VA- Jeff and Joey Anderson are not your typical twenty-somethings. While most people their age would just be starting out at an entry level job, hoping to make it to the big time, Jeff and Joey are already there. Jeff and Joey are the men behind BioRide and BioTaxi and not only are they saving the planet but now they are helping foster kids too.

BioRide is a by product of the Anderson brothers spending their teenage years working in restaurants and wanting to create something using the waste cooking grease. While Jeff was away at college, Joey began making biodiesel with the grease and the idea for a transportation service that was sustainable and cost efficent was born. At the ripe old age of 20 and 22, Joey and Jeff launched their first business called BioTaxi and a year later came BioRide. 

Initially, driver meetings were held in the brother’s family room and drivers deposited the night’s take in a drawer in the kitchen. Now, the business has an official building and eight vehicles with 20 employees. It has quickly become a premium service in the Richmond area with partners like the Jefferson Hotel, Center Stage and Grace Manor Inn.

In September, United Methodist Family Services (UMFS) Central Region Community-Based Services Director Nancy Toscano met Jeff and Joey at a conference in town and immediately was drawn to their enthusiasm. Nancy saw an opportunity for area foster children to get involved with BioRide through an internship program.

“When we were asked to help foster kids…without hesitation I answered yes,” said Jeff Anderson. “My dream is helping kids and people achieve their dreams.”

Three foster teens from UMFS began interning at BioRide. Jeff says that the kids have come a long way since the program began October.

“We like to empower the teens as much as possible and make them as much a part of the decision making process as possible,” said Jeff. “Every week they have to come up with three things that they learned, three suggestions to improve our service and three questions.”

The foster teens are learning a great deal from the experience. Not only are they learning hands on skills, according to Jeff, they are learning time management, cost evaluations/management and work ethic. Perhaps most importantly they are learning that they can pursue their dreams no matter how big or small.

Jeff’s philosophy for the interns is simple. Give them a job to do and let them do it. And it works.

“As they like to say at BioRide, they feel they are more than just a transportation service, more of a movement,” said Toscano. “Since our three foster care teens started in October, the BioRide squad has tried to help each teen feel a sense of purpose and belonging with this movement. Our kids underwent an interview process to be accepted for the 8 week apprenticeship.  They follow the lead of their supervisor, submit weekly timesheets, and hopefully gain confidence and a growing sense of success with each hour they spend at BioRide.”  

Not only are Jeff and Joey saving the planet but they are providing some valuable lessons and skills to some teens who could really use it.

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