The Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy Fashionista
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    News
    Looking the the latest plus size fashion and industry news around designers, influencers, and community happenings? Your plus size media publisher has you covered with…
    Show More
    Top News
    Duo Boots Giveaway on The Curvy Fashionista
    #TCFTurns5 Giveaway: Step into Style With the Duo Boots Giveaway!
    10 years ago
    Big Fig MattressXTCFStyle Expo
    Big Fig Mattress Giveaway!!!
    4 years ago
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    10 years ago
    Latest News
    Over 50 Amazing Cyber Monday Plus Size Deals to KNOW and Shop!
    2 days ago
    The Only Plus Size Fashion Black Friday Roundup You Need! Shop The Best Deals
    6 days ago
    2 Plus Size Shopping Events You Don’t Want to Miss in LA
    2 weeks ago
    Save Your Coin: TomboyX Accepts HSA and FSA Dollars for Period Underwear
    1 month ago
  • Style
    Style
    Yes, plus size style options exist and we are here to share the latest style finds, news, updates, and plus size style tips & tricks…
    Show More
    Top News
    Plus size woman Walking
    LETS TALK: Design Elements in Plus Size Clothes that KILL ME.
    11 years ago
    Duo Boots Giveaway on The Curvy Fashionista
    #TCFTurns5 Giveaway: Step into Style With the Duo Boots Giveaway!
    10 years ago
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    10 years ago
    Latest News
    Style Watch: 4 Fabulous Finds to Make Your Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe Pop This Fall into Winter!
    2 weeks ago
    A ‘Lil Glitz and Shine with the Good American Holiday Collection!
    2 weeks ago
    The First Drop in the 2024 Rebdolls Holiday Collection is Giving Us Plus Size Glitz and Glamour
    2 weeks ago
    7 Tips for Using Poshmark to Find the Cutest Out of Season Plus Size Clothes
    1 month ago
  • Shopping
    Shopping
    Wondering where to find specific plus size clothing items for that special occasion or need? The best plus size shopping finds are here. We’ve done…
    Show More
    Top News
    Plus size woman Walking
    LETS TALK: Design Elements in Plus Size Clothes that KILL ME.
    11 years ago
    Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Hips and Curves
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Hips and Curves!
    10 years ago
    Valentine’s Day Curvy Couture Plus Size Lingerie Giveaway
    A Valentine’s Day Curvy Couture Plus Size Lingerie Giveaway
    10 years ago
    Latest News
    Snuggle Up— These Plus Size Pajamas Will Keep You Warm All Winter
    20 hours ago
    Over 50 Amazing Cyber Monday Plus Size Deals to KNOW and Shop!
    2 days ago
    The Only Plus Size Fashion Black Friday Roundup You Need! Shop The Best Deals
    6 days ago
    Hate Your Bra? We Don’t Blame You— Try These 5 Alternative Bra Types
    1 week ago
  • Wellness
    Wellness
    Looking for ways to improve your body image and mental health? Check out our latest articles on plus size wellness that includes body image and…
    Show More
    Top News
    Torrid's Feature of Tiffany from On The Fatwalk
    The Enabling of Self Loathers and Shame – A Facebook Observation of Torrid
    12 years ago
    Rescue Stress relief
    Finding My Own Rescue Remedy & Taking Better Care of Myself…
    7 years ago
    Meeting my father and his/my family
    Staring into His Eyes for the First Time- Meeting my Father
    10 years ago
    Latest News
    The Holidays Can Be Hostile to Plus Size Folks— Here’s How I Survive
    1 week ago
    Fight the Draw of Diet Culture This Holiday Season with Intuitive Eating
    1 week ago
    5 Plus Size Peloton User Reviews That Are *Actually* Helpful
    1 month ago
    Save Your Coin: TomboyX Accepts HSA and FSA Dollars for Period Underwear
    1 month ago
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle
    Get inspired by the latest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends from your favorite plus size lifestyle celebrities. There is so much more to a plus…
    Show More
    Top News
    Open Letter Tim Gunn
    An Open Letter: Dear Tim Gunn, Let’s Make It Work
    10 years ago
    2017 MTV Move & TV Awards, chrissy metz, plus size celebrity
    ‘I Wear What I Want, When I Want’: Chrissy Metz Slays In Red at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards
    7 years ago
    25 women of color e1615188552216
    25 Women Of Color Who Paved The Way for Body Positivity & Plus Size Fashion
    3 years ago
    Latest News
    2 Plus Size Shopping Events You Don’t Want to Miss in LA
    2 weeks ago
    Add these 15 Plus Size Halloween Costume Ideas To Your Inspo Board ASAP
    2 months ago
    3 Plus Size Apps That Will Up Your Confidence
    2 months ago
    Is Weed Yoga Really Worth It? We Tried it and Found Out!
    2 months ago
  • Shop TCF
Search TCF
More
  • Events
    • TCFStyle Brunch Series
  • Curvy & Plus Size Fashion Resources
  • About The Curvy Fashionista
  • Advertising
  • Contact
© 2008- 2023 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
Reading: AllGo: Helping Plus Size and Fat Folks Explore New Places
Font ResizerAa
The Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy Fashionista
  • News
  • Style
  • Shopping
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop TCF
Search TCF
  • About
  • News
  • Style
  • Shopping
  • Wellness
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Write for TCF
  • Contact
Sign In Sign In
Follow US
  • Login
  • Community Guidelines
  • Style Star Ambassadors
  • TCFStyle Influencer Network
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact
© 2008- 2021 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
Body Image

AllGo: Helping Plus Size and Fat Folks Explore New Places

Brianne
Last updated: 03/20/2018
By Brianne 10 Min Read
Share
Cat Only Facebook Link

If you’re in Facebook groups like The Curvy Fashionista Community, you’ve likely seen a post or two about AllGo, an app that helps plus size and fat people “get the information they need to enjoy visiting new places.”

In short, AllGo is like Yelp! — but better.

I sat down with founders Rebecca Alexander and Michele Amar to talk more about the app (it’s live on Kickstarter), its origins, and what it’s like to be plus size person growing a startup.

AllGo Concept

BH:  Entrepreneurs talk a lot about the “Aha!” moment they had when starting their business.  When did you first think of AllGo?

Rebecca Alexander:  Honestly, it goes back to when I was 18, and spending the day at SixFlags celebrating high school graduation with my class.  Everywhere we went, from the rides to finding a table to eat lunch at, I was constantly worried about being able to fit into a space.

That feeling hasn’t left me.

And, about 2 years ago, I noticed this behavior where I would scroll through ravioli photos, looking for photos of booths or chairs at a restaurant – so I could determine whether I could go.  I’d do this for drinks at a new place for a friend’s birthday, when researching new doctors, etc.

But, I didn’t act on the “ravioli insight,” until I read Hunger and We’re Never Meeting in Real Life. Both authors both described similar behaviors, where they’d do a ton of research before going somewhere new.

It’s almost like Russian Roulette, where you ask yourself, “Am I going to be able to go?  Or am I going to walk the walk of shame?”

After meeting my co-founder Michelle, everything started falling into place.

AllGo was born as a way to help all of us to go somewhere.

 

24837636 2040284722877072 1826389234319940184 o

 

The Platform

BH: This sounds like kismet.  How will the platform work?

RA:  We’re starting with a web platform, that will be optimized for mobile (so it works well on any device!).  On AllGo, community members will be able to review things like accessibility, aisle width, seating, etc. They’ll also answer questions like, “How accommodating was the host or hostess of your needs?”  an important distinction from “How did the host or hostess do?”

We’re really digging deep into what makes a space accessible.

BH:  I’m nerding out!  What  tools or operations frameworks (agile, six sigma, etc) have you utilized to make AllGo possible?

RA:  As a community platform and a community company, we are using an Agile process to build AllGo. We’re going to start with a core product, get feedback, build a little more, get feedback, so on and so forth so we can ensure that we build something that people really want to use.

allgo

Features

BH:  I love this concept.  In the past, I have invited friends who were wheelchair users to non-accessible spaces, without even thinking about the position I was putting them in.  Will you be adding features for differently abled people?

Michele Amar:  Our first user group is people of size, but we recognize that fat and plus size people also have different mobility needs.  We plan on building out the platform to encompass these reviews.

Boundaries

BH:  On a related note, what about spaces that are welcoming or not welcoming of people of color?  I’ve been to a few nightspots in Silicon Valley where my friends were treated poorly by staff, and met with slurs or hostile behavior.  Where will the boundary on AllGo be with reviews?

MA:  I totally appreciate these intersectional questions you’re asking.  Just like there are plus and fat people that are differently abled, there are also black and brown, trans and queer plus size and fat people.

As people share reviews on their individual experiences, we’ll build out features to make searchability easier.  As the beta is launched, we’ll also conduct user research and focus groups to determine how the app can best be accessed and utilized by everyone.

Our goal is that we can truly create a tool people can use, so everyone can go.

The Reviews

BH:  How will communication the other way work?  Will businesses be able to reply back to reviews like they do on other platforms?  What about when a business realizes they’ve been shit, and start to do the real work to be more welcoming and supportive?  How will they communicate that?

RA:  Right now, we honestly don’t know!  As reviews (both positive, negative and mixed bag) are submitted, we know business owners will want to reply..  Right now, we have half a dozen ideas on the form this may take, and it will come down to working with key businesses to see what works for their situation, and then scaling it

 

Development

BH:  Good point!  Michele, what has it been like to develop AllGo, as a non-plus size person?  How have you established empathy with your users?

MA:  It feels very natural for me to empathize with our users which is why I love that we are creating AllGo. It was crystal clear to me from the onset that the experience of not fitting in is real, frequent and painful for a lot of people. As we conducted more and more interviews, hearing statements like “I feel like I can’t exist in that space” or “I’ve stopped going to new places” really disturbed and saddened me.

It wasn’t a difficult choice to want to work towards making the world more inclusive. For example, when Rebecca and I go out together, I consider where she will be comfortable before I even suggest a place. I think it’s safe to say that there are many other people just like me who want to go out with their loved ones who are fat/plus-size and know they will be comfortable.

Help by Listening

BH:  I so appreciate that.  Lack of accessibility impacts us all.  What is important thing thin or straight sized people can do to support their fat/plus-size friends?

MA:  It’s funny that this question is for me (Michele), because I actually think the number one thing straight-sized people can do to support their plus-sized friends is to listen to them. And I mean really listen. And think about the what may be going unsaid between you and your plus-size loved one. If your friend declines an invitation somewhere, ask them if they’d like to do something or go somewhere else.

Also, I’d say you should sign up for AllGo. AllGo is designed with people of size in mind, but it is really for everyone–both plus-size people and straight-size people who have plus-size friends and family.

BH:  Okay, I’m sold!  How do we support AllGo?

RA:  The #1 way to support us is to “back” us with money  on Kickstarter.  Second to that is help to get the word out! Kickstarter measures link clicks and buzz around a campaign, so help us get to the front page by sharing this article on your Twitter or Facebook!

 

A pretty cool concept, right?

Well, if you are intrigued, curious, or geeked and want to support, then you can go and support AllGo today! Their Kickstarter just launched and they need your help!

Support AllGo on Kickstarter.com!

How cool is it that we have platforms and technology that stretches beyond fashion, bring all facets of the plus size community together, to make our lives better?!

What are your thoughts? Will you be using AllGo?

TAGGED: AllGo, TCFTravel
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
By Brianne
Follow:
Brianne (she/her) is the blogger and creator behind The Huntswoman. She is a plus size model, consultant, and entrepreneur. Based in Salt Lake City, this Sagittarius loves getting on a plane, especially to see LGBT Pride festivals around the world.
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Forever Savage Hooded Onesie blue
plus size lingerie

Snuggle Up— These Plus Size Pajamas Will Keep You Warm All Winter

You May Also Enjoy

Free Plus Size Stock Images from Navabi
News

Over 50 Amazing Cyber Monday Plus Size Deals to KNOW and Shop!

Team TCF By Team TCF
The Only Plus Size Fashion Black Friday Roundup You Need! Shop The Best Deals
News

The Only Plus Size Fashion Black Friday Roundup You Need! Shop The Best Deals

Team TCF By Team TCF
a black woman with short hair and a black man with a fade haircut smiling at each other while cutting vegetables in the kitchen
Body Image

The Holidays Can Be Hostile to Plus Size Folks— Here’s How I Survive

Kara "Juicy" Johnson By Kara "Juicy" Johnson
raising body positive children
Body Image

Fight the Draw of Diet Culture This Holiday Season with Intuitive Eating

mightymurphin By mightymurphin
Baacal Plus size shopping event at The Curve Collective
Lifestyle

2 Plus Size Shopping Events You Don’t Want to Miss in LA

Marie Denee By Marie Denee
Plus Size Peloton
Health and Fitness

5 Plus Size Peloton User Reviews That Are *Actually* Helpful

Brianne By Brianne
  • News
  • Style
  • Shopping
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop TCF
  • Events
  • Get Featured
  • Plus Size Resources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contribute
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Instagram Facebook-f Twitter Pinterest Youtube
© 2008- 2023 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
Welcome Back!

Please Sign in to Your Account

Lost your password?