To celebrate 20 years in business, we’re highlighting some fantastic partnerships that made an impact along the way. We met with John, a co-founder of Kentuckiana Law Enforcement (KLE) and a longtime client, to talk about his experiences with Slingshot.
He shared about the early days of working with us and the future of KLE, saying how our partnership has grown over time and why it’s been so crucial for KLE’s success.
Who are you, and what is KLE?
I’m John, and I co-founded KLE with my business partner, Chris. We’re both retired police officers from Louisville, Kentucky, and we wanted to make it easier for cops to find off-duty security jobs. After going through the struggle ourselves, we wanted to build a seamless way for businesses to find and hire off-duty police reliably.
After struggling with the process, we figured it was time to create a smoother way for businesses to find and hire off-duty police officers. At first, everything at KLE was done the old-school way, manually using spreadsheets, phone calls, and texts. But as more people started to use us, we realized we needed an online platform. We first worked with two other companies to build the site before we found Slingshot.
What initially brought KLE to Slingshot, and what challenges were you looking to solve?
Before we teamed up with Slingshot, we had worked with a few other companies to set up and manage our platform. While they helped us get started, we faced many issues with developers constantly changing and a lack of understanding of our unique needs. We spent more time explaining how our system worked than actually getting things done.
We knew we needed a partner that could provide stability, strong technical skills, and a team-effort vibe. After talking with some friends, they knew someone, who knew someone, who pointed us to Slingshot.
What made Slingshot the right partner for KLE?
Right from our first meeting, Slingshot really made an impression. The first person we talked to was Chris Howard, who was straightforward with us from the start. As retired cops, we really appreciate clear communication, so Slingshot’s upfrontness about what they could do, how much it would cost, and when the team would get things done earned our trust.
Thinking back to those early days when we had a group of cops in Slingshot’s office for interviews and user testing—it must’ve looked like Slingshot was in big trouble for the other tenants in the building!
Even though it’s been years since we started working with them, the team still feels young, ambitious, and dedicated. It gives me confidence that they’re committed for the long haul and aren’t just looking to use our company and money as a stepping stone.
The initial project wasn’t the only time we worked together – what led to revamping the KLE app?
We never really “left” Slingshot—it’s been an ongoing journey. Technology changes quickly, and our software needs to keep up. First, they helped move our web app into newer .NET tech. Later, Slingshot suggested upgrading our platform from Xamarin to MAUI to ensure we wouldn’t get kicked out of the app stores. If they hadn’t been on top of it, we wouldn’t have even known that was a possibility; they’re the tech experts, and we’re the industry experts.
How would you describe the collaboration on KLE’s projects?
Working with Slingshot has been a great experience! Their team took the time to learn what we needed and why it mattered to us. In all our years of working with Slingshot, we’ve only had one person leave. Their knack for turning our ideas into a smooth, easy-to-use platform was helpful. From the designs to development and fixing issues, they always had a solution that supported our vision every step of the way.
Who is Michael Upton, and how is he involved with the KLE project?
Michael Upton is our Product Lead with Slingshot, and I’d rate him above anybody I have dealt with in any organization when it comes to software. He’s more than exceptional. From day one, he really stepped up and brought a new level of organization and clarity to our project. Michael gets both the tech side of things and our business needs. He’s always quick to respond to texts, questions, and meeting requests. If he doesn’t know something, he’s upfront about it and puts in the effort to find the answer.
Michael’s leadership has built confidence in us, and his commitment has played a significant role in making our platform successful. In short, Michael has been essential in pushing the project forward, and his work is one reason why the Slingshot partnership has been so great for us.
What stands out to you about Slingshot’s culture or approach to partnerships?
Slingshot’s a genuine and adaptable team that genuinely cares about their work. They’re not just cranking out software but working towards a lasting partnership. I’ve never once thought that they acted against our best interests.
If you had to describe Slingshot in three words, what would they be, and why?
- Receptive – ‘It’s not their way or the highway;’ Slingshot really listens to our ideas and feedback, making sure our overall goal shines through in the final product.
- Innovative – They’re always looking for ways to make our software even better and ready for the future, like the MAUI upgrade.
- Supportive – Their team has been with us the whole way, giving us guidance and solutions that fit our needs, not theirs.
What has made your relationship with Slingshot special over the years?
Unlike previous companies we’ve worked with, Slingshot really focuses on being a dependable team and building long-term relationships instead of going after fast wins. Working with them is smooth and easy, and they’re super responsive to whatever we need, even when things get complicated.
Our partnership with Slingshot is built on respect, trust, and working towards the same goals. They’ve provided great software and played a key role in helping us grow and adapt. The personal connections we’ve made with their team, especially with Michael Upton, have made this collaboration special.
As Slingshot celebrates its 20th anniversary, what does this milestone mean to you?
Hitting the 20-year mark is a fantastic milestone, and it really shows how dedicated and skilled Slingshot is. As someone who’s been along for the ride and has been in business for 30 years, I’m excited to have been part of their journey, even in a small way. Their success makes us confident that they’ll be around to support us for many more years ahead.
What are you most excited about for KLE’s ongoing partnership with Slingshot?
The future looks bright as we keep pushing forward and exploring new ideas. We’re really excited about the franchising opportunities and how Slingshot’s platform can help us grow that way. With their support, we’re feeling good about making a business model that’s both scalable and sustainable. Slingshot’s expertise and commitment to our success help us succeed, so they’re the ideal partner for us with what’s coming next.
Want to see more KLE?
Produced by: Savannah Cherry
Savannah is our one-woman marketing department. She posts, writes, and creates all things Slingshot. While she may not be making software for you, she does have a minor in Computer Information Systems. We’d call her the opposite of a procrastinator: she can’t rest until all her work is done. She loves playing her switch and meal-prepping.
