Hi all! I'm looking for resources, suggestions, ideas, insights -- anything really -- on evaluating the pros/cons of going the marketplace route or service provider route at the startup I currently work for -- Scattered Solutions. Some context:We started as a platform offering virtual, live, small group classes for toddlers to teens in a variety of subjects - art, cooking, theatre, writing, math -- you name it. We vet and onboard all of our coaches and monitor their classes. In covid times, we've started getting requests from other course providers (language schools, summer camps) to host their classes on our site and reach our audience (with a small revenue share). We're trying to decide which direction we want to take. Have other providers offer their courses on our platform (but vet and white-label them)? Or continue building out our own courses and customer-base? We like that these partners can broaden our offering, but want to make sure quality/reputation is maintained. Of course, we could potentially test both routes. I'd be curious to hear from anyone who has ever faced this question of marketplace vs. service provider or anyone that might have insights or resources that might be helpful as we navigate our next steps. Thanks!
