Pearl.com[1][2] is an "online paid question-and-answer service" based in San Francisco.[3][4][5] "People aren't always willing to wait"[6] in "legal, medical and other advice"[5] led to "a growing number of those help-seekers are getting their guidance online."

History

Pearl.com began in 2003 as JustAnswer. Founder Andy Kurtzig had previously begun (and subsequently sold) a software company automating newspaper classifieds called Anser, a pun on his mother's ASK Group's name.[3] The time period from attempting to obtaining funding until attaining significant revenue was described as "unusually long:" nine years.[3] Once up and running, their offerings included traditionally high-priced fields such as law and medicine, but also "assistance from computer technicians and relationship counselors."[5] By 2014, based on "the regulatory landscape involved" Pearl undertook to "overhaul" their expert teams.[7]

Controversy

Regarding providing legal advice for "$30 to $40" and glossing over "details that could more easily emerge face to face" founder Andy Kurtzig conceded that an in-person followup may be needed. He said to The Wall Street Journal his service enables "to get key insights that will cut your appointment time from three hours to less than an hour.”[5]

References

  1. ↑ Deborah Gage (October 8, 2012). "Pearl.com Raises $26M, Hires CFO". The Wall Street Journal.
  2. ↑ Patrick Hoge (June 19, 2012). "JustAnswer -- now Pearl.com -- raises $25 million". BizJournals (San Francisco).
  3. 1 2 3 Patrick Hoge (August 17, 2012). "Kurtzigs' entrepreneurial flair runs in family: Mother, sons have started six ventures". BizJournals (San Francisco). Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ↑ "The Daily Start-Up: Kutcher-Backed Language Site Duolingo". The Wall Street Journal. a website for connecting people who have questions to professionals
  5. 1 2 3 4 Charles Passy (November 5, 2012). "Verdict is Out on Virtual Lawyers". Wall Street Journal.
  6. ↑ "Seek, and Pearl.com shall find an expert to answer". BizJournals (San Francisco). May 17, 2013.
  7. ↑ Sachiko Yoshitsugu (March 14, 2014). "Emily Su-lan Reber Porter helped Pearl overhaul pro hiring". BizJournals (San Jose).


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