First Customer, How to Build a Business, and Hustle Your Face Off!

It has been a great ride. I have barely been open for a week, and I have never been happier! It has been tough, but I truly feel I made the right decision. I know it hasn't been that long, but it still feels great.

This past weekend, I was able to obtain business from two separate customers. If you follow me on social media, I have some great videos that I have posted to those social platforms. I have linked my Facebook account for Milkman below for your convenience. Please check them out, like, share, and comment because that is what helps me help you 👍🏻

Like I said before, it was the right choice. I want to document all of the updates for this company so I can offer as much value to all of you as I can. Not only do I want Milkman Grocery to succeed in delivering fresh groceries to families all over MA, but I want to show other business people or other entrepreneurs how a business is really built from the ground up, live if I can. So many entrepreneurs show us what they do NOW which is awesome. Learning to be a successful business person is a great idea. But how did they get there?? You may do a lot of work right now, but I want to see how you became so successful! I want to see you taking that first order. That first meeting. Actually sleeping in your parent's basement, waking up and hustling your face off!!

This is the concept I want to use with MilkmanTV. I want all my followers to be able to view as much of the process as possible. No one shows you this part. I will try my best to use MilkmanTV for this very purpose. I hope everyone enjoys the value of seeing how the business plan is put into execution!

Thoughts and/or Comments

:) Jaymo

faceboom.com/milkmangrocery

Grocery Delivery Marketing

One of the biggest online grocery delivery services right now is FreshDirect. The company is positioned in the Mid-Atlantic region with a big following in that area. NYC and Philly are the most south the company goes. The highest north the company can reach is around certain areas of CT.

I have always had a major issues with the fact that FreshDirect is very restrictive to their customers, and charges a very high fee for their services. However, this article I found in the Supermarket news is awesome when it comes to the company's marketing strategies.

One of the greatest parts of this article is about how FreshDirect is focusing on what customers are using to order, and how the company can maintain their marketing message across the different platforms. For example, customers use desktops computers to place an order during the week being at work more, but they place an order through mobile devices on weekends being home at that point.

Very insightful article!! Even though I dislike the company, still got to give it up to great hustle here :)

Thoughts and/or Comments??

Jaymo

http://m.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/freshdirect-targets-multi-device-strategies

Flipping the Normal Business Model: Amazon

Amazon is doing some very interesting things when it comes to business models. Entrepreneur magazine has a great piece on the new "brick-and-mortar" book store that Amazon has placed and opened in Seattle. It has people turning heads and asking questions about what Amazon is planning.


We all know that Amazon created the online book market. The company put many chain book stores out of business. The Amazon Kindle (and other updates) created a new way for customers to buy inexpensive books, and have those books at their fingertips immediately.  Now, we have a crazy development in their business plan. They have opened their first (physical) book store on the west coast.


The article goes through the company's different stages and early success through the internet. Amazon is now leveraging their brand equity to get sales from their customers through physical stores. In my opinion, this is a genius idea!!! No matter how you feel about Amazon, the company has been able to keep customers coming back to their online stores over and over again. They will try the same with this first physical store.


Flipping or re-engineering the business model to end with a physical store is the new way to do business. This is the main reason why Milkman Grocery Inc. is all over social and the internet right now. I have said this before, consumers are going online that is where you advertise. People go online first to get information no matter whether it is buying items, news, sports, and/or politics. I ordered a computer charger and battery the other day ONLINE and through Amazon haha!


The normal business model of setting up a store and selling to customers in a physical manner is a dying breed. Recently, consumers have thrown out that old adage of wanting to "feel" the items they are purchasing.


Another great sign I am choosing the correct industry to enter into. Food e-commerce is so popular Amazon is trying to deliver groceries :( Not if Milkman Grocery Inc. has anything to do about it!!


Thoughts and/or Comments?!?!


:) Jaymo

Best Industries 2016: Food E-Commerce: Now There are 91 Companies

A great article on the best business industries to enter into during the year 2016 was just published in INC magazine. Drone manufacturing, sustainable building materials, and virtual reality simulators are just a few of the new industries booming for new competitors looking to differentiate themselves. However, one industry listed in this years article was also listed in last years article.


I find it extremely interesting for food e-commerce/analytics to be listed again this year for one of the best business industries to enter. One of the main reasons I started working on Milkman Grocery Inc. was because I read last years article from INC on the best industries to enter. Again, food e-commerce keeps showing up at my front door.


The author does a great job answering many of the questions about skills needed for the industry, barriers to entry the industry, developing a following in the industry , competition, and downsides of the industry as a whole. It really is a great read, especially for someone like myself who needs to see the reality of it all. I have be in operations for two straight days now which is very exciting for me!


I have gotten lots of support from family and friends spreading the word on social and "word-of-mouth", but still have not been able to get an order. I did not expect to get an order this early in the process. One of the skills I think the article did not go over at all for this industry is patience. Very important for any new business, but especially this one!


I plan on documenting most of the business updates, and all the openings for Milkman Grocery Inc. right here on this blog. I have gotten a lot of traffic and would love more comments and shares as we continue to gain popularity on social. Please let everyone you know in Massachusetts that grocery delivery services are open for the state with Milkman Grocery Inc! Please call the number on the many adds listed on Facebook and Twitter, or message the grocery list to one of those social accounts. Being specific will make the process much more efficient and timely (meaning please mark Brand and Quantity on grocery list).


I am very excited for this venture, and the possibilities that can come from this idea! This article is just another sign I am making the right choice with Milkman  Grocery Inc. The article states that about 90 companies offer food e-commerce/delivery services right now in the US.


Now there are 91 companies ;)


Thoughts and/or Comments!!


Jaymo

Happy National Peking Duck Day!!

Did you know it was National Peking Duck Day?? I didn't! I knew almost nothing when it comes to a Peking Duck. I have added a great link to this entry that CNN posted a few years ago. The article explains a little history about the roasted duck! I really enjoyed the history part. That is just me :)




When I first saw "Peking Duck" Day, I was not impressed by the name. However, this very short article was still informative, and made me want to try this Chinese specialty. Would you guys try a Peking Duck??




Thoughts and/or Comments?!?!


:) Jaymo

Just Milkman It!

Milkman Grocery Inc. is now operating throughout Massachusetts. Any and all groceries can be delivered to your front door for a delivery service fee! Check out the brand new ad!


Grocery shopping is so yesterday! Don't waste time at a grocery store any longer!!!!www.facebook.com/milkmangrocery
 

DO YOU HATE GROCERY SHOPPING?

LET US DO IT FOR YOU!

CALL OR MESSAGE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!

978-602-7546

: facebook.com/milkmangrocery                       : @GroceryMilkman 

Grocery Delivery Service Charge: $.50/item. Specialty Item Delivery Service Charge: $2-$5/item(based on travel/expense. Negotiable)!  

A New Journey Begins with Milkman Grocery

I know I have not posted anything today. I have been very busy working on my Facebook for Milkman Grocery. I added the link to that Facebook link to this blog!!!  I am going to keep this short and sweet :)

The launch date is set, and I am extremely excited to start this new journey in my life. Thank you so much for all the support that my friends and family have given. I will begin to deliver groceries throughout central MA on Monday January 18th. I have added my business e-mail for any inquires or concerns to this post!!

I want this business to be great. I know it can give value to every single customer that uses the services. Your comments, likes, and shares are greatly  appreciated! Again, thank you to everyone who has come out and supported this idea!

:) Jaymo

Inventions are Always Great to Talk About! Even if the Feds Consider it Illegal!

I have talked about the medical devices that are were released at a technology convention very recently. Well, INC magazine has been talking about some great new inventions that could change the world. One of the inventions that caught my eye was developed and marketed by two former executives from Keurig.

These two former executives have created a safe vaporizing device for medical marijuana users. It looks awesome if you think with a design and marketing mindset. The article also goes into 8 other awesome inventions that will enter the market very soon. However, I find this presentation and delivery amazing. I am also going to link the web site for this small start up company named CannKorp to this post for anyone who is interesting or wondering more.

Today, medical marijuana and legalized recreational use is becoming a popular trend. Many legal experts are seeing a dramatic shift in the public's feelings toward the controversial plant. Everything from the website to design of the product is awesome when it comes to catching the eye of someone not familiar with the topic. The website even states that they are focusing solely on those states that have legalized/decriminalized marijuana or some form of medical marijuana. I think this is a genius idea/product!

Please go and check out how this company is really going to open the doors once the others states debating this issue come their decisions. It is amazing to me that the Federal government has not tried to make a decision on this already. For all the decisions the Supreme Court make each year that effect different states, they have yet to give the country direction on this subject. Marijuana businesses are waiting to go under, or make an impression. In my opinion, this product and future product developments with this company, could shape this legalization issue for the country.

No matter what you think on the subject, watch that video on their website and tell you do no think that is a very sharp looking product. I always enjoy a great product, and what looks to be great execution.

Thoughts and/or comments :)

Jaymo

Sanpchat: Haven't Used It Yet, But I Plan On It

How is everyone doing today?? I am doing wonderful. I finally made the right choice to leave the job that made me miserable for two years and more. I am extremely excited to announce that Milkman Grocery will be going live next week for grocery delivery services throughout central Massachusetts. Please check back on the blog for more updates!

One quick side note: I suggest someone tries to create a better business model for the health care industry. Overall, that industry is dying for customer service initiatives, and better management services. A company can very easily dominate that entire industry by just being truthful, and a company that remembers health care is about people not the insurance companies will be able to obtain great brand equiyt!

:) Anyway, I found a great little blurb in the Wall Street Journal on Snapchat. I have not started using this social media platform. However, I do plan on utilizing the great aspects of the platform that seem to be drawing in more than just millennial consumers. Advertisers are seeing this, and now companies are jumping on board the Snapchat train. Very cool stuff if you think about where Snapchat was a few years ago (strictly for the younger generations, and impossible to use).

Stories are bubbling as a very popular way to capture an audiences attention. The article tells new Snapchat users to sit down with a friend and learn how to use the platform that way. I find that very interesting because I have heard some older friends of mine state that Snapchat can be annoyingly impossible to use even with help. As I said, I have never used Snapchat, but I do plan on using it in the near future.

Twitter took a similar road to popularity. Twitter went through a lot of the similar issues Snapchat is going through right now, and many of the road blocks to success as well. Now, Twitter is on everyone's mouth when it comes to social and developing a following that can give you brand equity. I plan on using many of the Snapchat features, along with other social platforms. Brand equity is very important for any person, group of people, or any organization to obtain, and brand equity can be a driving force in their customer's purchasing decisions.

My point here is to tell others that utilizing all free advertising is a great way to save money, and an easy way make a name for yourself. Check out that WSJ article for yourself!  Do not be afraid of Snapchat's difficulty! Study, learn, read, and execute!

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

2016 Business Models

What's up everybody?? How is every one's Tuesday morning going?? In this post, I want talk about what business models are forecasted to look like in 2016. There is a great article in INC magazine that goes into the connection between machine and technology that will rule the day.

The subtitle of the article reads "Collaboration between people and machines has never been more important." Great quote in my opinion! However, this collaboration is already going on in most business industries. Depending on the industry and business model, machines or technology are becoming more and more popular when it comes to adding to services and/or value that a  company  tries to strive for.

The author even points to everything from grocery shopping to calling cabs going to machines/technology to make services more efficient and more effective. Its perfect for the conversation that I have been trying to start on this blog. Not enough companies have been able to utilize these advances. Many companies even ignore the technology that is available to help boost their products/services. I posted a while ago about how medicine is starting to make the transition into the mobile device game. The article talks about Uber taking automobiles out of the equation by just focusing on the services. It makes business better!

What does this mean for entrepreneurs or small business?? Well, business leaders need to be mindful of the new and improved ways to help customers depending on the industry. Whether it is getting the products/services to a customer faster, or stream lining processes to speed up production, technology and machines are revolutionizing  the ways we interact with customers.

Social media is making advertising easier, less expensive, and more efficient. Again, we need the machines/technology to help companies reach those consumers through social. The article gets a little more into the machine side of improving business in 2016. However, managers can use these examples as starting points to take on some technology initiatives.

Some managers are scared of the changes that are taking place. If you are a manager or business leader in today's environment , please read up on the advances that are making business easier. Looking into these updates can get the brain thinking about new and improved ways to offer customers a product or service. May even be an easy way to develop your own business plan!

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

Here are some Great Rules For Great Leaders

Hope everyone is having a great afternoon! Lets get some followers, comments, and likes please ;) . I wanted this post to be about effective leadership and management. As I have studied both pretty extensively, I feel the need to talk about it a little more.

Great article online on the Entrepreneur website describes the 10 golden rules to what the author calls effective management. The author brings ups 10 good points that should be studied as people start to make the climb into management. However, there are two here that I have dealt with consistently.

Number 4 on the list is publicly rewarding/recognizing hard work. More and more companies are falling behind in giving praise to their employees. I have always been a supporter of giving employees recognition when they deserve it. Employees are just as important as your customers. They are your front line when it comes to interacting with the consumer. Why would you not treat your employees well?? Motivating employees is one thing, but an effective manager can lead an entire department/organization toward one large goal creating a sort of community. The first step is to get employees on the same page. The best way to do that is explain what the goal and the objectives are as a whole. Execute a plan of action for the group to reach that goal and those objectives. Finally, give the correct praise and recognize those who have helped the organization or department get there internally.

Be the example is number 5 on the list. Very, very important rule for leaders is to be the example for others. My organization has a major issue with managers being examples. I feel there is a lot of resentment that has festered throughout the company as leaders have always been the opposite of the example that they want for their employees. Employees have been fired/let go for things that managers (even the owners) do consistently (being late, leaving early, not coming in at all, and using different employee policies incorrectly). It is very scary to think that business leaders feel there is a double standard for others in a given company. You do not want a double standard in business That is a terrible way to create or to run a business. The overall atmosphere/culture will suffer.

Business has a trickle down effect. Top level leaders' and managers' actions seep down into the rest of the organization no matter what! What a manager does is either copied or brought up as a reasoning for the actions of other employees. Make sure you are giving the necessary praise, and creating an example for all employees.

Managers can be compared to the parents of a company. Employees can be compared to the children of a company. Whatever managers do, employees copy. Don't let that duplicate be a bad one!

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

It Isn't That Scary To Quit Your Job!

I have posted on this topic before, but I found a great article/blog in INC magazine that dives into this topic. Also, this topic has been swirling around my head since I started writing my own business plan.

I guess you can say I do not have a "solid" back up plan for leaving my work in the next few weeks. However, I do not need to panic. One of the things that this article talks about is that there are many people out there that do not feel fulfilled. The author focuses on people who do not feel like they are meeting their potential (wow that is me right now), and the next thing for these individuals.

I see myself as more than just a pencil pusher. The current job that I am in right now does not allow me to think for myself, work specifically for the customer, and advance/grow. The author talks about how its not as scary as people think when they leave their jobs, and new opportunities can pop up from nowhere.

Some people will focus on the negatives of leaving a job. The author here focuses on what her experiences were, and experiences from people she engaged with through her own blog. New opportunities will pop up from nowhere, and life without a job is not as scary as you think are two examples of topics that she covers in the article.

I find it very relaxing that I am not the only one with doubts or fears. She states that one of the worst things in life is the feeling of not being fulfilled or challenged at your place of employment. In the year 2016, employees should not have to worry about this issues. She makes a great point about living on less money as well.

All these points hit me like a ton of bricks. I am working on leaving my current job to start my own grocery delivery service. These doubts and fears are very prevalent to the way I have been feeling in recent weeks/months. It is very scary to think about going out on your own (especially in business), but fear cannot hold me back from taking that leap. A great topic the author may have also wanted to use in this article I have talked about before. Becoming self-aware is very important for individuals to be comfortable with.

A great article with an awesome message! Don't be scared of leaving that job that has gotten you nowhere. Focus on the future, and execute on the endeavors that have a return on investment.

Comments and/or Thoughts?!?!

Thanks :)

-Jaymo

It's All About Getting to the Consumer!

Good Morning!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I will get back to all of you on your comments very soon. I took a little time off from the blog to spend some time with family this weekend!

As usual, I was looking through my normal periodicals and noticed some great information that I could utilize on this blog. I found a great article from the WSJ on a business strategy that Nike is trying out recently. Nike uses retail stores to sell may of the items they produce.  However, they have recently had success using their website, their catalogues, and their own super stores to sell those products. They are taking a more direct-to-consumer approach.

The company is looking to grow direct sales more than their wholesale transactions. In my opinion, this is a great strategy to take for the company to succeed in the future. The article quotes a small retail owner who states "“in this day and age, with all the athletic brands doing direct to consumer on their own websites, if customers ever start to view your store as just a place where they go and pick up an item, like they go to the grocery store to pick up a loaf of bread, your value in the equation is diminished”.

It is great for customers to have the option to go into a store to get the shoes or athletic gear they want. However, the value of going into that store has started to diminish, sort of like the value of groceries stores diminishing in recent years. More and more people are looking for alternative routes to get their items.

Again, customers are looking to save time and energy in today's hectic world. Nike is trying to stay on the offensive by creating a plan to deal with large amount of customers who want to buy items online and directly from the company. Most of business is headed this way regardless of the industry. It can be anything from athletic gear, medical supplies, or even groceries! Everything is being delivered, and directly shipped to the consumer.

Nike sees this change that is occurring with more and more people ordering directly from the company (statistics quoted in the article). Great plan! It looks like they should be able to execute if they stay on track! What do you guys think about this move??

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

(I will answering comments on the blog later today!)

 

The Most Successful Leaders Have Grit!

Great article in Forbes that I found online just now about grit. Well, actually most of the article talks  the signs that individuals have what it takes to succeed. It is amazing how many people really do have the hustle and the work ethic to make it. Many of those people just do not know it, or fall behind early in life so they never try.

Many people say talent wins out, which is very true. However, Tom Brady was not seen as talented when he came into the NFL. Now he will probably go own as the greatest quarterback of all time with 4 (maybe more :) ) Super Bowls! He became great through hard work, perseverance, and patience. It is called grit!

This is exactly what this article tries to explain through 11 different signs that an individual can become successful. The author states that a psychology college major wanted to know why people do so well compared to others when it comes to teaching different subjects to younger children . The article states that "grit is that “extra something” that separates the most successful people from the rest. It’s the passion, perseverance, and stamina that we must channel in order to stick with our dreams until they become a reality."

The post goes directly into what determines a person's "grit". Here are the two greatest in my opinion:

1. You have to make mistakes, look like an idiot, and try again, without even flinching.
2. You have to trust your gut.

I have been successful in the past because I have fallen on my face many times. I was a great basketball player because I was terrible when I first started. I was able to obtain two business college degrees because I got a couple Ds in middle school (so I told myself I would never get below a certain grade again). Being self-aware is all about trusting your gut, but a great leader needs to be able to fail, get back up, and fight all over again.

Some people would say you can't learn it, you need to be born with that talent. I say you can learn in many ways to become better or grittier! I do think there is a degree to which a person can take enough failure, but great mangers do not stick with something that they fail at every time. I was not able to play basketball in college as I had hit my talent/height-ceiling in high school. However, I was recruited to play basketball in college. I barely made the team, and left within weeks of becoming a freshman.

I failed, but I got back up and decided it was important to get an education. I did very well accomplishing things in college others cannot dream of. It is different now! I am trying to make a life for myself, but I cannot get a job that will give me that opportunity!

Now it is time to keep fighting, but I need to enter a different arena. That arena will be grocery delivery services of my own!! I am trusting my gut, and taking my failure like great leaders have. I am not saying I am happy with failing, being stressed, or struggling. I have a major issue controlling my emotions at times because I am so emotional. I am working on it, just like every great leader should!

I am not perfect, but every great leader learns how to get better each day with more GRIT!

Thoughts and/or comments!!??

:) Jaymo

Bad Habits of Bad Management

Working for a bad company can hit you right in the face. Sometimes it can take a while to realize this sad fact, but a good leader can see this pretty quickly once starting at a company. I work for a horrendous organization that does not manage anything very well. I have worked here for about 2 years and I really noticed it right around the year mark. And when I say bad management, I mean everything in this organization is run terribly. From managers coming in/leaving early whenever they want, to top leaders setting up standards that they cannot even follow themselves.

This is the worst organization I have worked for since I have been out of college (about 4 years). Again, I am sitting here reading the news (trying to stay informed), and I find a great article on the 10 worst habits of bad management. I linked the article to this post for others who would like to read the entire thing.

Here are some of the 10 that I deal with on an hourly/daily basis:

1. Bad managers only manage from a distance
2. Bad managers always blame somebody else

3. Bad managers make lengthy, impressive plans

4. Bad managers are real Machiavellians

5. Bad managers only communicate in one way

This is just half of the list, but it speaks volumes to the way this organization is ran. These 5 issues basically define top level managers within this place. Milkman Grocery will never be run in such a disgusting manner. All five of these bad habits have to do with the managers truly only caring about one thing: themselves.

They never take a second to realize that business in general is all about people, not just you. I have bad, bad leaders within this organization who love to hear themselves talk, and will never take responsibility for any issue they may have caused. Talk about a lack of planning HAHA!!! OMG this company is so bad at that aspect of business. We have a leader who has lengthy and complex plans, but he will change/fire entire departments without actually understanding the process or that department's responsibilities.

I really love start-up businesses because the founders or CEOs always work in the trenches with the rest of their employees. They have to get their hands dirty to see everything their employees deal with on a daily basis. Business leaders at my current employer would never actually sit down with me to see how the department works. That is WAYY below him!

I would love to see these morons actually do work for once in their lives. I wonder what failure would do to these people??!?!

Thoughts and/or comments??

:) Jaymo

Medicine is Getting Even Faster!

It is all about delivery. How quick can you be getting that product or that service into the hands of your consumers? Does it have value for your customers?

Well, an awesome company called Everbliss is launching a new app that connects you with a coach or therapist. If you cannot find that given therapist or coach, you can choose from a different list of these proessionals to talk to within a given time period via the app. The article I found on Entrepreneur Magazine talks about how there are a bunch of different apps/organizations available to connect you with a physician.

However, there is a large cost associated with this service. Think about how much it costs for a doctor's visit, or even an emergency room visit?? The company will take about 20% of the costs that you will be charge for this service.

The author talks about how similar the idea is to an Uber business model. Great work and good read as at the end of the article, the author goes into how some things may not work so well if you are not face-to-face.

Very valid point to make as health care should be all about the patient, and many parts of the health care industry never focus on the patient enough. Many times a great service has a mix of technology and human interaction. With Uber, you still get a ride from a human being after you request a driver. A grocery delivery service still has to physically get the groceries to your front door. Everbliss may have an issue with individuals who have difficult medical issues. They may need to physically be in front of the physician.

Keeping it specific to coaches or to therapists is a good way to keep this service filled with great quality and great efficiency. I do find it amazing still that I continue to find these articles about services being offered  through the internet/a mobile device. They continue to reverse engineer all parts of every day life to try and save people time.

I keep coming back to it even now! These organizations are trying to save people time, and this is no different!

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Great Leadership Truths Most People Don't Know!

I really enjoy reading INC. magazine online. Their articles are some of my favorite when it comes to content and context. They are able to create value because of  great content and great context. I keep on finding great posts/articles about different areas of grocery, leadership, and technology. Every article I read intensifies my fire to start my execution of my business plan.

I found a great online topic on the 10 new truths that most people do not know, but leaders do. I mean this is a great segment about how to become self-aware. Here is a quick overview of those 10 truths:

1. Authenticity and transparency rule.
2. Your brand is your reputation.
3. If you're not social you're missing the boat.
4. Collaboration is the new currency.
5. New choices abound.
6. Interconnection means freedom.
7. Community is critical. 
8. People want a say in their future.
9. Set yourself apart by sharing what you know.
10. You don't need a title to lead.

I really enjoyed how the author created a small paragraph for each of these topics. I feel I have hit on a lot of these "notes" when it comes to the posts I have published about business. Some of the most important topics here are the transparency/authenticity segments, your brand being your reputation segment, interconnection, and setting yourself a part by sharing. In college and even now, I hear a lot about the human element when it comes to operating a business. Almost all of these truths have to do with being a human being. I heard a great quote form an entrepreneur a few weeks ago where he was talking about this exact thing. He said something along the lines of "there is another human being on the other end of that text, post, tweet, or video. Treat them accordingly". He was asked how he became so successful in so many different types of social media. His answer started with "social is all about people."

You want to know how to create brand equity, or create a following. Be a human being. Show others you care. Give back to the customers that buy your shit!

Great article! Be real is a great take away from this. Business is about showing people that you have something they value, and you can offer them that "thing" in a way that makes them loyal to you!

Be real !! Thoughts and/or comments?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Time is All the Rage, Even in Medicine?

I am going to go a little off topic, but still make a point towards what I talk about all the time. Time is the most important resource for customers/people today. No one is making more time somewhere in a  private facility. The time we have is all we got!

Instead, many organizations are developing new ways to help consumers save time, and improve efficiency. No matter what the product or service is, companies are trying to improve all their operations to meet the time and the efficiency standards of today's customer.

I was just reading a great piece in the Wall Street Journal on the medical tech world. Many companies are coming up with great ways to save people time, and streamline their processes to improve customer experiences. Most of the improvements deal with linking medicine to your phone/others through the cloud or Bluetooth.

I mean these new pieces of technology are awesome! Some on the other hand are very interesting and puzzling in many ways. One of the first lines of the article states that now you can access your medicine cabinet on your phone. Some of the new and cool medical tech gadgets include an epi-pen that connects to an app on your phone alerting family/friends when the epi-pen injection is initiated. Another awesome addition to these medical improvements is coming out is from L'Oreal with their new skin patch. This skin patch is used to alert you about how much UV rays you have encountered during a given time period. Again, the device links to an app on your phone via Bluetooth, and the device can even be sprayed with sun lotion.

Now to the interesting development in this medical gadget rage. First Response Pregnancy Pro is the new pregnancy test that again will alert you through your phone via Bluetooth/the cloud. It will even entertain you while you wait for your test results. This is the only strange new gadget that I noticed. With all the privacy issues in Medicine, it will be interesting to see if this item becomes popular. Also, why would you want to have all that info on your phone in front of the world. I do not know how I feel about this one.

In the end, it is amazing where we are as a society when it comes to technology. Time is so important to everyone, and you cannot get more of it. Medicine is becoming even faster and more efficient in the way we receive our results. The delivery services of anything (from information to actual products) is ever-changing and becoming increasingly popular. Find ways to save time and create value!! Quick and easy delivery seem to be the ways things are going!!


Just a quick side note! A new business model just hit me. Find easier ways for medical tests to be done. I am not even sure if this is out there (or if this is even possible), but a great business idea could be for a company to come up with a better way to take blood and/or other medical tests in a more efficient and timely fashion instead of having to go through all those channels and expenses to get the tests done. Just a thought :D

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Grocery Delivery is Getting Popular!

There are more and more articles on the internet and other publications about the fact that grocery delivery is becoming increasingly popular.

I found a great article that I am linking to this blog, and I am going to quote the article as I can be very long-winded sometimes :). These are some great points when it comes to diving into this delivery industry. The information does show some disadvantages to online grocery shopping, but the industry as a whole is growing and transforming how customers buy, cook, and eat food.

The articles states these great facts from a report done on the grocery industry specifically about the online presence:

"There are a number of disadvantages to buying groceries online on both the consumer and business side, such as the cost and complexity of logistics, shipping fees, and the quality and freshness of orders. For online grocers to deliver the freshness consumers want, they have to be able to deliver orders fast while maintaining the quality of easily damaged foods like produce. But there are still some advantages to online grocery shopping, in particular convenience and a large selection of products. Only 15% of U.S. adults have purchased general food items online, but 25% said they have bought specialty food and beverages online, which are hard to find elsewhere. While same-day delivery comes with a big price tag, 25% of millennials said they would pay a premium for same-day delivery."

For decades, online grocery shopping has been considered a loss for companies as the costs and lack of quality associated with the service has scared organizations into not entering the market. Now, we see all these different types of grocery ingredient deliveries, and large tech companies like Amazon finding ways to get over those costs.

The point to this report/article is that even though there are some disadvantages, there is a lot of value associated with offering these services (especially to the millennials). There is a market need right now, and a lot of brand equity available for the company that can control the market place, and set the grocery delivery standard.

I am going to work my ass off to achieve making an impact, and giving customers value with grocery delivery services.

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

Delivery Services Are Everywhere!

When I went to lunch earlier today, I was looking through my Facebook feed and noticed more delivery services popping up everywhere. The interesting part of me noticing this was one of my old companies had their products advertised by another business delivering a box of organic/healthy foods.

Little Duck Organics is an organic baby/toddler food company that I worked for and helped grow into a multi-million organization. I did not work there very long(almost 1 year), but the work I did helped the company reach new heights in the organic food category. I cannot, for the life of me, remember the name of the other company (I give a lot of companies time on here :) ), but LDO had posted the picture of their goodies in a big box being delivered to customer's front doors.

It was a cool moment for me as I can say I worked on growing that business. I do not like business models that restrict the wants and needs of customers, but the organic/healthy segments of the market love these types of things. Again, I feel like I catch 20 stories every day in various periodicals and social media sites that are literally pushing me to leaving this dreadful job, and make this dream happen.

LDO has become a household name with many new mothers looking for a different alternative to unhealthy kid's food. Sadly, the company had contracts/agreements with FreshDirect before this other organic delivery company. I know all this as I help with Sales and Shipping/Logistics during the infancy stage of the company. Ironically, I shipped many of the LDO products to FreshDirect when the company was first becoming successful!!  LDO has always wanted to be in the business of getting their products to their customer faster than the regular routes.

Again, it is awesome to see the numerous companies entering into the delivery service arena. I just need to get off my ass and show everyone how to really deliver and execute.

Please give me some comments, pass this blog on to others. I will keep putting out content, as long as it is valuable to others!
Thoughts and/or ideas?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Customers Are Speed Freaks!

I have posted a lot today about different topics that are very relevant to the business world, and my business ida. This post is very important to the well-being of any organization. Forbes posted this article about the 5 customer experience truths that companies get wrong constantly.

The article (which I tagged to this post) lists these five experiences that companies never get right. There is a lot of great info in there for you guys to check out, but I am solely focusing on that last experience.

The fifth and final customer experience that companies do not get right is "  Customers today are speed freaks. You need to become one too. Remember this: a perfect product or perfect service, delivered later than the customer expects it, is a defect."

I must have written this a million times throughout all of these posts. The biggest resource that any person owns is his/her time. Time is the name of the game when it comes to keeping customers happy and fulfilled. Customers are speed freaks in every way, shape, and form.

Most people do not want to waste their time. Most people want instant gratification. Social media has shown the good and the bad of humanity dealing with this time restriction. Gary V. (the marketing and online-wine guru) always talks about keeping the attention of your customers. If you do not, someone else will come along and take that customer's attention from you!

He is totally right! Advertisers and marketers go after this resource constantly. How can they grab that attention span of their customers?? (This goes back to one of my other posts) Value, content, and context are so important in any marketing medium (shit, all three are important in any part of any business industry).

Many companies cannot keep up with these three ideas, and they do no understand the social media phenomenon. I want my company to truly understand all of these concepts.  Delivering goods/products to a customer's front door helps these speed freaks. Instant gratification is a constant in this world. Everyone wants things right now!

Again, customers are speed freaks! I have a questions, though! Why do people still go into grocery stores?? I am going to try to stop the constant stalling of walking through a grocery market!! Lets make groceries easier for these speedsters!

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!

:) Jaymo

Why Shouldn't You Start a Business?

As interesting as it was to read an article listing the reasons why I should quit, now I found an amazingly complimentary (contradictory) article that gives you the ONLY reason why you should start your own company.

Now, I am not making the argument that I should not create the business I have been working on for months. The idea behind this article is awesome in my opinion because it gives you the reverse of the coin when it comes to leaving a job and/or becoming an entrepreneur.

The article starts of by talking about the many publications that are touting the wisdom of VCs, angel investors, and entrepreneurs. The articles goes into how these people tell their followers why they should create a business or leave a place of employment (listing many reason why they should). However, most of these people are talking about self-truths on the way people feel. Basically, the reasons for creating a business are yours and your alone. Customers do not care what you think. I tend to agree with both sides in different ways. People need to be at least a little happy when they walk into work each day. However, they also need to do their research showing there is a need for a particular product or service. It is compromise of sorts.

The article states that the only reason to create a business is that you need to be addressing a certain market need. For example, the founders behind GrubHub saw a need for the delivery of food from local restaurants. I love this example, and I think this article makes me want to leave this work more and more to start executing. (please read the article for more information which I have listed in the post.

I want to start delivering groceries because there is a MAJOR market need for it. The author does does not specifically mention attention, but attention/need is what you need to be successful in business. You need the attention of your customers, and you need the customers to want your product or service.

As I have stated before, the more I do my due diligence and research, the more I need to man up and leave this place. I am wasting my time sitting here. I have failed in this "job searching" industry, but I feel stronger than ever to succeed in another area. All I can think of is a quote from the original Star Wars movie when Obie-Wan tells Darth Vadar, "if you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine". Vadar kills Obie-Wan, but he comes back more powerful than Darth could ever be as a human. I guess I am feeling very Jedi-ish. This quote is perfect for this example. yes, I failed finding a good job, but I will come back stronger than ever with my own business.  I need to stick with this Jedi mind-set! :)

Why I shouldn't start a business is the exact reason why I should start a business. People are using the internet and mobile devices more and more. I am going to offer a great delivery service over the phone or over the internet to save the most important resource for people today, Time! Time is of the essence is a great adage that can be used for my argument here!!!

Thought and/or comments??!!??

:) Jaymo

I Need to Quit My Job After Reading This INC. Article!

I am sitting here at my crappy desk job, and I opened the website for INC (as I usually do in the am) to look for some good articles to post on for today. Obviously, I want this blog centered around my business venture (Milkman Grocery), but I want to talk about business topics as well as other related issues.

The title of this INC. article is"11 Signs You Definitely Should Quit Your Job Soon." Is it strange I see 9 out of 11 of those signs at my organization? This article is the explanation to what I have been internally fighting with for the past few months. Should I leave my job to start this delivery company?? Am I strong enough to take the risk??

I stated in a post yesterday that I am starting to become self-aware of where I belong in life and what my strengths/weakness are. I find it so very ironic that I keep finding articles pointing me in the direction to start my own business. I keep coming across articles that keep me thinking, "why I am wasting my time here?!".

The major premise that the author keeps coming back to with each of these points is that "life is too short" to stay at an organization that makes you feel these ways. The 10 signs to quit your job from this article that I feel are happening to me on a daily basis are listed below:

1. Your boss manages his or her boss, not you.
2. Your ideas are disregarded, or even ignored.
3. You're never told, "Thanks".
4. You feel like you have no purpose.
5. You feel like a number.
6. You are even a tiny bit exited to go to work.
7. You don't see a future.
8. No one shares your dreams.
9. You're tired of having your future capped.

I listed the actual website for this article in the post so others can read more and maybe comment or jot down some thoughts?? I just find it crazy that these 9 issues are so relevant to my situation. It makes me feel I am finally heading the right direction. Bad management and bad leadership is so rampant that obviously others have to write about it.

Something that I am going to keep saying at the end of my posts is that I need to execute! Execution is the name of the game, and I cannot continue to sit here and wait for nothing to happen. It is time to execute!

Thoughts and/or comments???!!

:) Jaymo

Becoming Self-Aware!

I am trying to get out of this rut that I have fallen into. I cannot continue to do this to myself. I am starting to become aware that I do not belong at a regular desk job!

I am not meant to sit at this desk and push this pencil (slap these computer keys)around like a mindless zombie. I am starting to read and to listen to different entrepreneurs that talk about what drove them to start a business, how they become successful, and what they have realized after becoming successful.

All of them talk about becoming self-aware! They (internally) became aware that a normal 9-5 job was not for them. They saw more in their life than that nonsense. That is what I am starting to realize more and more each day as I sit here writing these blog entries while sitting at this"going-no-place" job. As I become  increasingly frustrated with my situation, I catch myself just thinking about how successful I could be if I weren't sitting here. What I would be doing, and how I could be really using my strengths!

Entrepreneurs always say that this life is not for everyone! An entrepreneurial life has many long days/times, stressful times, and detail-oriented meetings. Many people cannot deal with this life, and they do not last. As I think about it, that type of life was how I lived in college (extremely successfully by the way). I mean it was not my lively-hood, but it meant everything to me at the time. All I wanted to do was work for a company helping them develop strategies on the next move or the next big thing.  That is all I did in college .I have not been successful at gaining those positions! I have not been successful in the job market!

Now, I sit at this desk and stare off into space. This is why I am coming to the conclusion that I need to do something else. Not just getting a new job! Creating a job. Creating many jobs! I need to execute the business plan I have been working on since August/September 2015. What is holding me back?

Different parts of life are holding me back from doing what I see as my future! I need to pay bills, I have a car that needs to be maintained, and I need to move out of my parents house :( ! The worst part of this is that I am no closer to that last goal (moving out of my parents house) than I was when I left college.

I am miserable at work, I work my ass off to just get by (and I mean barely get by), and I am nowhere closer to my goal of become financially independent with a mortgage. I was extremely successful in all levels of college under more pressure each year.

As the title states, I am becoming more self-aware with each passing day! I am more aware of who I am than I ever have been in my life. As I stated, I need to get over life fears, and I need to start real business execution.

Thoughts or comments?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Value, Content, and Context Trumps All!

Anything and everything is now being delivered to consumers throughout the world (especially in the USA). The act of saving people time is becoming more and more popular. Social media has become the new (free) arena for companies to push their content about everything from deliveries to content.

What does all this mean?? In the business world, nothing has changed! The platforms, or mediums to spread the message or market have changed, but not the facts of business. Organizations are successful in today's business environment because they work harder than others, they create something of value for customers, and they know what they are talking about!

Value content, and context are the three most important aspects to creating a successful business (especially on the marketing/sale's side).

When Ford first created the car, they created value for customers. In the beginning, no one could afford a card, but now everyone has them because of the value. Very similar to the cell phone. No one could afford those big rectangles that used to be mobile cell phones, Now, anyone can buy a flip phone for basically nothing. Look at the companies that have been successful with their content.

I have used Wegman's Food Market as an example before in my posts, but they push out great content everyday. Even though they are not fully on-board with social and the internet, Wegman's offers an amazing experience for their customers. When you walk into a Wegman's, you are given great content at every turn. Each department has great knowledge-based employees who can answer culinary questions, point you in the right direction, and give great food solutions to every day food problems. That is some great content!

Hitting the correct cord with the correct customer base is also an issue that companies like Nestle have been able to handle pretty well. Now, Nestle is delivering beverages to your front door as replacements for Nestle beverages you have finished. They truly understand the context of delivering their best (most popular) products being drinks/beverages. It would be difficult to deliver certain frozen items, or other food items specially if the locations are not in close proximity to each other. Also, Nestle would probably be bad at delivering or talking about flat screen TVs, or trying to deliver prepared foods.

Some of the examples I used above are a little ridiculous, but there is a point. These companies have done a good job and sticking to what they have been great at! Yes, they were able to adapt or to change their processes to meet the needs of their customers. You do not want a Hall of Fame Baseball player trying to fly a plane unless that is something that he knows how to do.

As I create this business idea, I am working and seeing the struggle of becoming really, really great at that particular idea/industry. I have studied the grocery industry (specifically grocery delivery) extensively. Why don't more people understand that you need to do your homework to be successful?? I have done a shit ton of homework in more than one way! It is time to execute on the content and the context that have I gained in this industry. All that is left is to create the value for the customer (easier said than done).

For all you Dunkin Donut fans, it is time to make the fucking donuts :)

Thoughts and comments!?!?!

:) Jaymo

Nestle is Now Delivering Products!!

It is amazing that so many organizations are going online, or using delivery services to get their products into their customer's hands. We now have a major grocery player delivering their own products when customers want to re-order, or run out!

Yesterday, I started noticing ads online and on Youtube/Pandora to re-order Nestle beverages that will be delivered to your front door! The operation is named Ready Refresh by Nestle, and the marketing for it is beginning to ramp up.

Amazing! Not only are grocery stores utilizing the internet, and delivery services, but now we have the actual manufactures are offering and marketing this perk. This is the exactly what I have been talking about since my first post on this blog. This is the reality of the market place today!

As I have stated before, I am going into the grocery delivery business. These are the types of signs that make me more and more confident about my choice to leave my current job and enter this industry. Every day I see more and more about different forms of grocery delivery services. It can be anything from delivering ingredients to make a meal, all the way to refilling your beverages like this Ready Refresh program.

Please give me some comments!?! I am looking to start a great discussion with the ongoing topic of grocery delivery. What have other people seen?? Is there another type of delivery service or another delivery business model that works better??

Thoughts and/or comments?!?!?

:) Jaymo

Short and Sweet - Starting Milkman Grocery

Hello Everyone!


I am ready to start living my life not someone else's life. I am going into business delivering groceries throughout parts of MA. I am leaving my work in the next few weeks to go into business full time. I will use this simple blog to help push my marketing and technology plans.


Please e-mail me @ boston65celtics@gmail.com if anyone would like to know more, or even join the team for this amazing journey I am about to start. I am looking for a technology person who may have skills creating websites or creating apps for mobile devices.


I know I haven't gotten any comments on any of my other posts, but please can someone give me a shout out, or something?!? I want this business to be more than just grocery delivery. I want this to be a way of life for employees and customer.


Please let me know what you think!


Thoughts and/or comments??


:) Jaymo