Fanminder Blog

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On vacation in Cape Cod last week we stumbled upon an honest-to-goodness Flea Market. Remember these? Didn’t ya think they all moved to eBay? Me too!

Evidently according to Wikipedia, flea markets got their name from the first of its kind in the 17th century (1600’s right? in Paris’ Marché aux puces (“market with fleas” in French). Having swept through the place on a hot, humid day, kicking up sawdust as we went, I can only imagine what the sellers (and buyers) were carrying on them 400 years’ ago.

While we’re going back in time, the last time I was at a Flea Market was summer, 1992 at Roosevelt Fields. I set-up a stall to take greekshop orders from fraternity and sorority brothers/sisters for my first business, Campus Rags. I walked past a car’s license plate and sliced open my calf, went to emergency room for some stitches, and never went to another Flea Market

Well, despite my lack of patronage, Flea Markets seem to be alive and well, at least this one in Cape Cod. While there weren’t too many people there (it was a humid Wednesday afternoon) it was fun picking through all the stuff. There’s bargains everywhere you look. And with kiddie rides it’s a nice way to blow an hour or two.

I spoke to an owner of a Books stall (bought Nelson Demille $2, can’t beat it!) who said business was actually pretty good these days. The reason? The recession. Duh.

On related news, in the same week Boston, Massachusetts businesses’ saw sales tax hiked up a WHOPPING 25% from 5% to 6.25%. And for restaurants and other food/beverage joints it went from ZERO to 6.25%! Talk about excessive taxation but then again I always knew Massachusetts was a close second to California in terms of business unfriendly climates.

Good luck Massachusetts small businesses! Just add it on top of minimum wage hikes, (proposed) 8% penalty for uninsuring employee health insurance, and our deep recession.

I love this quote:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I recently spent time with American Express’ Marcy Shinder discussing how we at Fanminder are using social networking to engage with team members, customers, partners, and investors.

Read the article she wrote here.

American Express just launched a new social networking tool for small businesses at www.openforum.com. Think of it as a social ‘rolodex’ not dissimilar to LinkedIn, but coupled to an awesome library of fresh and relevant tips and articles on how to run your business. I’m a huge fan of what they’re doing and have come to rely on it to extend our reach, or as Marcy puts it “it’s another tool in our social toolkit.”

Thanks AmEx!

We’re happy to welcome the sweetest addition to the growing Fanminder family of customers – Sweetriot.

Sweetriot has both an awesome mission and awesome product. They’re “working to fix the world” by creating and offering all-natural chocolate treats called ‘peaces.’ The company’s website lays out their mission, products, and lots of other fun facts in a lively, fun, and ultimately authentic way. I see them as a paragon of the new, socially-responsible (yet highly irreverent) small business model. Can you tell we’re in love?

Clare Simone Nehra is the Catalyst of Cool Outreach (what a title!) who’s been working with us. She’s most excited about sending specials and coupons to their customers, as well as notifying retailers, customers, and others of their numerous events such as visiting stores that distribute their product.

Interestingly, I met Sarah Endline, CEO of sweetriot, through the new American Express OpenForum. OpenForum is a new social networking tool with a mission to connect small businesses, and in this they haven’t disappointed! Thanks AmEx!

Welcome to sweetriot.