UNO documentary: MiJett, the personal transportation device

Editors Note: The following series “Car-free Commute” is a week-long series curated by Erica Casareno as part of the Digital Research Internship Program in partnership with ViaNolaVie. The DRI Program is a Newcomb Insitute technology initiative for undergraduate students combining technology skillsets, feminist leadership, and the digital humanities.

Car-free transportation in the Big Easy is hardly ever care-free. For the New Orleanian without a car, figuring out the best mode of transit from home to to the grocery can feel as challenging as choosing what recipe to make. Amid time-shortages, potholes, frequent showers, and Louisiana heat, choosing the best form of car-less transit can be tricky. This grouping of articles explores and appreciates the different forms of transit in New Orleans. No driver’s license or car necessary.

For those bored of traditional forms of transportation, the MiJett, personal transportation device, might be an exciting solution. Business owner and founder of MiJett, Noelle Bercy, sells the devices at the Lakeside Shopping Center; she tells more about MiJett in this film originally published on NolaVie on January 18, 2016.

Noelle Bercy, Owner of MiJett

Film by: UNO student and documentary filmmaker Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

I own a business called MiJett. I opened a location in my hometown of New Orleans at Lakeside Shopping Center, and we sell personal transportation devices.

At my Kiosk we have our metallic blue tooth boards, we have gold and silver – our special Saints edition – and the music plays nice and loud. You can connect it to your phone through blue tooth, which is a best seller. I wasn’t expecting that because it’s one of the more expensive ones, but people love it.

Then we have our children boards. I recommend ages three to seven. I have seen as young as two, which I think is crazy, but I’ve seen it. Three to seven is perfectly fine. We throw in the helmet and the knee pads with it.

This personal transportation device trend started in California. It’s a celebrity thing. Chris Brown, Justin Beiber, these are the people that have them. I look up the prices and these cost $1800, which is insane. These people are not purchasing these boards for half of this, so where are they getting them? I did the necessary research to find that out and build my own business.

I can be in inventory crises at times. I have a woman that just bought three boards, even though I priced it for four boards at $2400. I’m a little disappointed she didn’t go with the four boards, but seeing how I’m in an inventory crisis it might be a blessing in disguise. I told her I would give her a good deal, and I can’t really be giving too many good deals like that.

I start MiJett with out-of-pocket funds. I don’t have any outside investors or anything. I feel really honored that I have so much support with friends and loved ones, who help me out at the store. Financially, though, it’s hard. It’s really really hard.