How a drawing on a bar napkin led to a software platform that processes trillions of calculations
April 15, 2024
In 2007, while sitting at the pub Moran’s with a beer, I drew a sketch on a napkin that would change our business. I drew a software model that would allow an indie store to instantly show (and sell) thousands of products online—without any labor. (The secret sauce: The respective brand would do the product update work for the merchants.) The immediate goal was to help my two retailers more efficiently load products onto their websites (and save me the boredom of doing it).
Upgrade your Home Bar with Top-Shelf Serveware from Beatriz Ball!
With retail sales of alcohol for home consumption skyrocketing, and severe restrictions for pubs and restaurants due to the pandemic, many of us are enjoying upgrading our home bars.
Beatriz Ball’s selection of PEARL David trays are indispensable serving pieces with infinite possibilities for dramatic presentations. Great on the bar to hold bottles, glasses and garnishes.
It’s hard to believe that MEPRA’s sophisticated technicolor collection FANTASIA is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year because its incandescent chromatic complexion is as fresh today as its 1989 debut.
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The brilliantly-hued fantasia comes from the Italian silversmiths Mepra, post-war business founded in 1947 by the Prandelli family, four generations fashioning flatware in the industrial Lumezzane Valley, about 90 minutes east of Milan. ...
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Toast, bagels, croissants, and muffins are just a few of the delectable treats that complement this stylishly hand-woven bread basket made of durable natural vines. It tastes as nice as it looks and looks as good as it would in a fine restaurant. This holiday season, start your day with your loved ones by being grateful for everything you have, including your friends and family. Merry Christmas to everyone!
It’s a 40th anniversary for the company founded by Colin Riggs (left) and Ned Voelker’s parents, Abigail and Ed Voelker. Over the last four decades, the entire family has created a curated collection of handmade tableware and giftware for the nation’s independent store retailers.
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Congratulations on a milestone 40th year in business. Are you surprised Abigails has endured? Ned Voelker: We are surprised. It’s a tribute to Ed and Abbie ...
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Great news: You can save 20% off your annual service.
This is like receiving almost 2 and a half months of service for free.
This 20% discount is double our normal 10% and has never been offered before.
This offer is only good till December 13, 2023.
I imagine you wish to take more vacations in 2024 (Paris or Patagonia?), see family and friends more often, or eat at that (expensive) new restaurant. When you pay for Shop Local's service for the year, you'll have more money to do ...
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Toast, bagels, croissants, or muffins are just a few of the delectable treats that go best in this artistically hand-woven bread basket crafted from robust natural vines. It tastes as excellent as it would at a sophisticated restaurant and presents beautifully on any kitchen table. Start your day this Thanksgiving morning by giving thanks for all that you have, including your friends and family. Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!
CALAISIO
natural elegance, extraordinary durability...
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How restaurants, hotels, and tableware brands are using loyalty programs--and what indie stores can learn from this.
October 11, 2023
Perk-y
I recently read about a new loyalty program and wondered what we could learn from it. The founder of Eater and Resy, Ben Leventhal, has started Blackbird, a loyalty program service designed for indie restaurants, reports The New York Times (Read the article). Using the Blackbird app, a diner receives a perk for eating at a restaurant. The retailer sets tiers for which the user qualifies for the perk. For example, a restaurant, Nat’s on Bank in New York City, gives tier 1 customers ...
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Veselka, a famous Ukrainian restaurant on my block, shared this on their Instagram.
P.S. ~ I’m reading The Cold Start Problem, a book about network-based companies. It’s helping me understand how to help indie stores and brands connect online.
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How premium plan tiers help businesses sell more and increase margins.
September 7, 2023
Dating apps are launching higher-priced premium tiers, according to last week’s The Wall St. Journal. Hinge offers a new $50/month plan, and Tinder is launching a $500/month plan. The League already offers a $1,000 plan. These pricey plans take the sting out of Bumble’s $60/month plan.
Why are companies offering such plans? Because even if Tinder only gets 10% of users, that's millions. Plus, the profit and margins are likely higher for customers using these plans. A normal ...
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How partnerships can be used as a marketing tool to elevate a company's brand and reputation by associating with quality partners.
August 7, 2023
I’m at Sweetgreen, a salad-focused restaurant, and I spotted this sticker on the preparation window. Sweetgreen is promoting Sullivan Street Bakery. Why would it dare do that? I believe it’s because it benefits Sweetgreen: people use a brand’s name to quickly deduce information, such as quality and value. People know that Sullivan Street Bakery is good. And, even if they don’t know it, they know that a bakery provided it and that it’s not from some stale loaf....
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America's favorite lunch items must come in bread baskets. The rustic aesthetic that guests appreciate is captured in Calaisio's honey brown woven bread baskets. The food presentation is more enticing due to the naturally woven aesthetics and the natural brown, yellow, and red tones inspired by nature, especially from exotic forest vines. Take a look at our collection of exquisite bread baskets.
EMON MAASHO, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF ORREFORS, NORTH AMERICA, is representative of the exciting trajectory in this 125-year operation. The über-exec joined the New Wave Group in 2013, a time when Orrefors and Kosta Boda (OKB) were underperforming assets in the portfolio. "Our crystal brands are national treasures and a part of Swedish history," Maasho affirms. And he wanted a front row seat in their revitalization. Maasho was placed in charge of the new hotel and restaurant division ...
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Artisan bread and pastries are gaining popularity in the culinary world. A rising consumer need for an upscale delicacy serving presentation led to the creation of this handwoven elegant bread basket. Exotic vines are used exclusively in its creation. This stylish bread basket enables you to display your preferred bread in naturally varied rustic colors while serving it with hospitality. Different sizes and shapes are available.
It's time for breakfast. In this chic woven bread basket, serve your favorite bread with warmth and coziness. Their naturally variegated colors and use of organic vines lend the table a rustic beauty. Available in 2 sizes.
How allocating our resources efficiently can help us save time, save money, and deliver value to our customers.
May 9, 2023
You've heard of Salsa-fy? It’s national, was started in Dallas, is used by 60,000 employees, and is used at more than 1,600 corporate locations. Salsa-fy helps businesses steer clear of trouble, offer the best value, and ensures profitability. You may interrupt me here and ask, “Jason, don’t you mean the software company Salesify?” No, I’m talking about the restaurant chain Chili’s and its approach to managing salsa, french fries, and its business. ...
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When paired with an array of delicious cookies, this naturally woven basket makes a wonderful serving piece. This bread basket, which is made from exotic vines and has rich, beautiful earth tones, would look lovely on any kitchen table or in a restaurant, whether as a delectable midday snack or as a dessert to round off a dinner. Offered in 2 sizes.
Put your buns, rolls, or breadsticks in this basket for an incredibly stunning display at your dining table or in a restaurant! It is made by hand from organic exotic vines and has a natural, enticing rustic color that combines with your pastries and improves the dining experience. Put the bread in alone or decorate with a napkin of your choice. To completely clean the basket, gently brush off any residues with a dry brush. The basket does not distort when brushed with water. Check out our ...
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Put your buns, rolls, or breadsticks in this basket for an incredibly stunning display at your dining table or in a restaurant! It is made by hand from organic exotic vines and has a natural, enticing rustic color that combines with your pastries and improves the dining experience. Put the bread in alone or decorate with a napkin of your choice. To completely clean the basket, gently brush off any residues with a dry brush. The basket does not distort when brushed with water. Check out our ...
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