At only 16 years of age, Hunter Nelson is running his third business, Lobster Taxi. The Malibu teenager has been creating businesses since he was seven years old, selling iPhone cases and accessories online. At 12, Nelson started Wups where the self-taught preteen repaired screens and water damage to smart phones after accidental drops.
“I thought that was impossible. I thought it would be something that would be so hard,” he described. However, the young Nelson got certified. He started in the Malibu area and then went nationwide. “People were shipping phones to me overnight,” he said.
It was then Nelson discovered he loved logistics.
“I really got into how UPS and FedEx get something from point A to point B over night,” Nelson said. “It was fascinating to me so I wanted to start a company that used logistics. I can’t do something I don’t love.”
One thing he did love was visiting his grandparents in Maine.
“Every summer I would go there. I love Maine lobster,” he described. “It’s all about that first lobster dinner experience you have in Maine and I just couldn’t get it again. I wanted to start a business where I could literally have lobsters sent anywhere in the U.S. and have your own Maine lobster dinner experience right at home. You can have it with your family, friends, give it as a gift. But people say Maine lobster is so expensive. No, it doesn’t have to be.”
For the past year, the Malibu High School junior has been running Lobster Taxi with one other employee. He wakes before the crack of dawn to deal with suppliers in Maine three hours ahead of California time.
“When lobsters sit in tanks, they live off their own bodies. When you take them out of the tank, they barely move. They’re still alive, but their meat is super tough—not even close to as good as what we send,” the young entrepreneur explained. “We take lobsters right off the boat and ship them same day. You have them at your front door in 24 hours.”
A lot of people like live lobster to cook, but Nelson discovered others prefer precooked, so that is also available.
“Flash frozen lobster tails or even just the meat itself is available through the website LobsterTaxi.com,” he explained. Nelson’s company is even branching out, offering other Maine delicacies including clam chowder, bisque and Maine blueberry pie. Nelson described the blueberry pie as a real treat saying, “The Maine blueberries are like no other. They’re super small, super sweet and we get the pie from a family bakery.”
The teenager is competing with other established companies, but said his age never deterred him from following his passion.
“I didn’t think about how long someone’s been in the business,” Nelson said. “I feel as long as I can get a good price with shipping and a good supplier then I can figure it out. I didn’t think of my age as any kind of barrier. People support me. I did a lot of research. It was the hardest thing I’ve done, but I’ve figured it out.
“The reason I started this company is for customer service—that’s what I love,” he continued. “I love talking to customers—figuring out how I can help. A huge percent of our orders are repeat customers. People love our products and service. I personally email our customers and ask how they liked the products. I know without my customers—I’m not going to be in business without them.”
Nelson enthusiastically told The Malibu Times, “People love just buying cooked lobster meat by the pound. If someone is having a party tomorrow and wants lobster pasta or lobster rolls—no problem. You can get a lobster roll kit and make your own. We have so much to offer. Everything comes out of New England.”
With most of Lobster Taxi’s sales as gifts, Nelson guarantees overnight delivery. “Everyone waits till the last second. Order on Dec. 22—no problem. I negotiated shipping rates with our carrier so low I’m able to pass that on to customers. Now, every single order that has live lobster in it or is over $200 ships free. We’re the only company to offer free shipping with live lobster.” Nelson said his company, barring a weather delay, also guarantees a live lobster to arrive at your door. He claims other companies cannot guarantee the lobster will arrive alive.
“We give you everything you need for a Maine lobster dinner,” Nelson said. “People say, ‘I feel like I’m in Maine.’”
