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Posted on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.

U-M student's 'Walk of Shame' shuttle service idea goes viral

By Cindy Heflin

A University of Michigan student is getting a lot of attention for a business idea she hatched called the “Walk of Shame Shuttle” and the “mock commercial” for it that she put up on YouTube.

Kellyann_Wargo.jpg

Kellyann Wargo

Kellyann Wargo told the Michigan Daily a couple of weeks ago that she was creating the service for people who want to avoid the embarrassment of calling a cab or having to walk home after a night on the town or, ahem, "other activities." Wargo's idea was to offer a ride to anywhere in Ann Arbor for $5.

Wargo, 21, said she originally figured she would just offer some rides for her friends and sorority sisters, mainly because her parents told her she needed to get a job so they wouldn't have to keep giving her money. But after she posted the idea on her blog, blog Ginger Ambition, and it went viral on the Internet, she decided to turn it into a real business.

She was on her way Monday to have dinner with someone who offered to build a website for the business for free. She has already gotten a chauffeur's license, purchased the url walkofshameshuttle.com, and is taking steps to register her business with the State of Michigan, she said. She's getting some help from her parents, who she said are eager to protect her idea and help her get the business set up.

Her business plan was featured on the website BroBible.com and even got a link from Sports Illustrated’s website. It was also featured on the car blog Jalopnik, and got a link from the website Fark.

Her video has had nearly 36,000 page views. She wrote that an earlier one that she took down because of “editing issues” had 50,000 page views.

The senior art and design major from Farmington Hills is interested in comedy and said her ultimate goal is to be a red-headed version of comedienne Chelsea Handler, but she thinks the Walk of Shame Shuttle can help her reach that goal.

"I still want to be a comedy writer, but I feel like this is really helpming me get that off the ground. ... A lot of people are seeking me out and have read my writing."

She said she can even see the business expanding beyond Ann Arbor. "I would love to see a franchise and I could sort of see that happening,"

See the mock commercial below:

Comments

me

Wed, Mar 7, 2012 : 5:32 a.m.

plain and simple...there is no such thing as a walk of shame because there is no shame in getting ass. get your shizt together wolverine women, its embarrassing for the state of michigan.

Monica R-W

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.

Too cute. Awesome idea and as a business grad major....I can see her making a profitable business out of this. Nice story A2.com!

Chase Ingersoll

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.

With a degree from U of M and this video, this girl will land a job right out of college. These days, the applicant with _ _ _ _ _ _ _ # of hits to their site or video is the one that goes to the top of the pile. Very shrewd, very talented young lady. Chase Ingersoll

Tesla

Thu, Feb 23, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.

I think there is a little more involved than that Chase. Besides, potential employers are more likely to Google Face Recognition her face photos, or check her Facebook or twitter accounts first. Lets hope theres no shameful videos or photos or words written by any college grads or you can kiss your chances goodbye.

MjC

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

See, sometimes it's good to listen to your parents!

jusayin

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.

GO GURL!! Just love to hear about people taking a chance with a crazy idea - applying some humor and a service - and it turns out to be something special!

zanzerbar

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 11:32 a.m.

I've seen this walk here on campus.Once saw a girl in a black mini walking, carrying her shoes,barefoot in, while snowing in 30 degree weather down Washtenaw @ S. U. @ 7 am.I am not kidding.

Twanders

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.

FYI this service already exists and has for years, only they dont call them drivers, they refer to them as sorority sisters. Duh. Still a funny and entertaining video.

Some Guy in 734

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.

"Editing issues"? I *still* have issues with the editing. Three and a half minutes to deliver a one-sentence concept?

bunnyabbot

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.

GreektownDave and EatKeyLimePie comments were both something that I included in my comment which was "removed". The young lady used the term whore-net when the bee walked by yet my comment was removed? I wasn't refering to anyone directly in the story or video but those they protrayed or a lifestyle and I even included the male counterparts, not the guy in the video, but those that this service would be geared towards.

GreektownDave

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 3:25 a.m.

Don't feel alone, bunnyrabbot; when I replied to Joe Kidd's post about being a gentleman and driving a girl home afterward, the powers-that-be took offense at my comment suggesting the obvious convenience of dating homeless women. Although my comment violated none of the "new guidelines" as set forth by them, they nonetheless keyed in on that one word, "homeless" and true to form, decided that anything said about their precious homeless citizens as a whole was too controversial to publish. Following Joe Kidd's comment about driving a date home, which is loosely what the main article is about, all I suggested was if a girl didn't have a home to begin with, driving her 'home' afterward would be much easier...

EatKeyLimePie

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.

Advocating promiscuity at U of M? This doesn't sound like the Leaders and Best that I have heard so much about.

bunnyabbot

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.

so basically Dave here has subjectified the student in the story. Annarbor.com will probably let that stand as twisted as they are, commentors can't say females allow themselves to be subjectified but a male can say it about a female as easily as saying they would want them on thier team. Nice, very nice.

David Paris

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.

One mans "advocating promiscuity" is another mans "Leaders & Best"... I'd have her on my team in a heart-beat (if I had a team, that is).

GreektownDave

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.

This is a hilarious video, but imagine the stink most women would raise if it were a male who created and posted this video, especially given its' use of the "whore-net" comment and blatant suggestions that these coeds are all 'easy' or 'slutty' and in need of Plan-B coupons. That no Ann Arbor-feminists are screaming-off their banshee-heads now is further evidence of their narrow-minded, man-hating prejudices. As long as it's one of their own making fun of these coeds, the feminists don't so much as whimper.

SalineBob

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:47 p.m.

Yesterday we read about the high volume of liquor being sold at area restaurants and bars--mainly downtown and central campus. Today we have a service being provided to take the drinkers home. Supply and demand or is it demand and supply?

Joe Kidd

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.

Sorry but I do not find this funny. Clever and great production values. No gentleman is going to make a woman walk home alone. You drive them or walk them home if you do not have a car. But that is just me. Here is funny and as you can see by views, a bit more viral and Kellyann's video reminded me of Jenna <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpwAtnywTk" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpwAtnywTk</a>

David Paris

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.

oops, typo, meant &quot;walk of shame&quot;.

David Paris

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.

Gentleman? Figuratively speaking, there is no gentleman in this story-line, that's why it's called a slut-walk.

catbehindthecouch

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.

You're right, these days, it must just be you. Maybe that's why the service is needed.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.

Jenna Marbles has dozens of videos with more than 5 million views each. A large chunk of her 70 plus videos have well over a million. That's what i call viral.

rusty shackelford

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.

Her web site is right on the verge of being funny. If she keeps going (I hope she does), she'll get good within a year or so. Shine on, crazy ginger!

bunicula

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.

very creative and kind of funny ! she reminds of a young Dianne Keaton...

Patty Smith

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.

The idea of Walk of Shame comes straight from an episode of How I Met Your Mother. In fact, the scene from her video follows the whole premise of the scene from the show. (In the show the main characters sit on their front steps and watch scantily dressed woman walking home after a long night of drinking. As I recall a woman dressed as a bumble bee has lost one of her shoes in the Walk of Shame as well.) Someone should send the writer's of the show this mock commercial and let them be the judge of it. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-vI4_kGgNo" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-vI4_kGgNo</a>

Patty Smith

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.

I didn't word my comment correctly. I know the Walk of Shame was not invented by the show How I Met Your Mother. However, the video presented is certainly taken from the show. There are way too many coincidences for it not to be.

Tesla

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.

lol...

catbehindthecouch

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.

The concept of &quot;Walk of Shame&quot; came WELL before How I Met Your Mother was conceived.

MIKE

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.

The &quot;walk of shame&quot; goes back at least 20 years, probably more.

The Picker

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.

So where does the walk part come in ?

Kai Petainen

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:04 a.m.

ha... funny stuff. =)

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.

A nice bit of humor. I found it amusing. But I agree that 'viral' is a bit of an exaggeration. I would say it needs a million hits to be &quot;viral' in my opinion.

UtrespassM

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.

Many in Ann Arbor already. $5, cash only, a great business for immigrants just landing.

Andy T

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.

You are correct! There are already MANY local cabbies willing to provide down town / central campus service for as little as $5... Have been for the last 3 or 4 years...

decaad

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.

She should charge 5 bucks plus the story of why the person needs the walk of shame cab. Then publish a collection of comedic short story's.

jayroo

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.

This is only viral because of the funny idea behind it. Give it 6 months and nobody will speak of it again and it will be out of business. Can't waste anymore breath on this one!

sidwally

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2 a.m.

It's a great video but it's not viral yet. Jesus. Viral is at least 100,000 views.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.

I'd say 1,000,000 views

walker101

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:55 a.m.

Wait till she finds out how much liability insurance it'll cost, first accident regardless who may be at fault and her passengers are injured, she'll have to go to law school.

Tesla

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.

No offense but we already have cabs and a half dozen other ventures just like this and including food delivery services. She may be a go getter and for that she gets my attention but the idea isn't a business venture I would invest in. Her parents sortof have too.

amberherself

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.

Girl, you're ALREADY funnier than Chelsea Handler!

Stanthepotter

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.

nice Idea but you can't pick up and drive someone home for 5 bucks!! you'll go broke. have you checked the price of gas? insurance? price of the car ? your time? if it could be done taxis would already be doing it. come on !! your not using that brain that your parents are paying a lot of money to improve at the U of M. It is funny though

Andy T

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.

Actually, MANY local cabbies have been matching the night ride( $5 fare) for A to B trips on central campus and in down town A2, for 3 or 4 years now...

Stanthepotter

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.

well Bear that night ride is subsidized by the city. I'm not a naysayer, I'm a realest.. and again I as said Its FUNNY. I think that was the point of the whole walk of shame

Bear

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.

you must not have heard of night ride. It's a taxi service for when the buses stop running and it costs $5. There are a lot of ways to capitalize on this business idea that don't have to do with getting the money from the customer. All you have to do is &quot;use that brain that your parents are paying a lot of money to improve at the U of M!&quot; Creative thinking is sorely lacking amongst many of the naysayers on this board. And that ain't so funny.

Emma B

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.

Go Kellyann! You've made me an even more proud art school alum.

LDR

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.

And people wonder why Ann Arbor ended up in the Top Ten list for singles, lol....

justcurious

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.

I liked it. I laughed. Success!

arborani

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.

Plan B is the morning-after pill.

Dog Guy

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.

The &quot;commercial&quot; immediately establishes that the protagonist is savvy and classy by showing her titrating a Buck's Fizz of orange juice and Champagne. Oh, very well done!

Andy T

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:35 a.m.

In reality, here in Michigan, there is 0 tolerance for Chauffeur's while on duty, or up to 6 hours prior to a shift, .06 BAL on their off time. If a police officer had pulled Ms Wargo over, the &quot;WOS Shuttle&quot; would be out of business! Good thing it was just a "mock commercial", albeit a very funny one.

shine16

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.

I don't care who ya are, that's funny right there.

Mr. Ed

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.

Creative, funny and fun. Kinda a refreshing for a change.

xmo

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.

Parents and College students are willing to spending a lot of money and hard work to get a degree from the University of Michigan so that they can become tomorrows leaders in their chosen field. Why are they engaging in activities that degrade themselves? &quot;Walk of Shame&quot; Shuttle Service?

cbvi

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.

Somebody obviously never spent any time in college. Or any time developing a sense of humor...

Tag

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.

I'm sure the city of Ann Arbor will be interested in what services she's offering and if she has a license to provide taxi services not to mention how the city can make money off of this idea. LOL

Class B Limo Owner

Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.

Andy T is correct

Andy T

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.

Bear is correct, you do not need a taxi license from the City of Ann Arbor unless you use a &quot;taxi meter&quot;, the words &quot;taxi or cab&quot;, or &quot;for hire&quot; top lights... You DO need a MDOT limousine license, a MSOS Chauffeurs drivers license , $1 million worth of insurance (3X the Citys requirement), and annual vehicle inspections (which the City does not require).

Bear

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.

you don't need a taxi license unless you are a metered taxi. You don't know what you are talking about, naysayer!

ribs1

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.

Thanks for the comment mr. Fun Governor.

obviouscomment

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.

&quot;don't forget you're plan b coupon!&quot;

obviouscomment

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:22 a.m.

oops...phones...ugh

Peter

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.

Who's a plan b coupon?

smokeblwr

Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.

I wish I would have taken more Walks of Shame in college.