Kyle
A new Michigan startup called Ozmott has said they’ve just made shopping more fun. They’ve done this by combining a map of local participating merchants that are part of Ozmott’s loyalty program. Once they get into a participating merchant, Ozmott users can decide which offer they want to purchase and use “Pips” or loyalty points, to help pay for the offer. When a user redeems an offer through Ozmott they earn more points which helps them get top tier “Luxe” offers.
The team behind Ozmott had learned first hand from a local merchant how they actually went upside down on a daily deal. This seems to be a trend with mom & pop shops that eagerly joined the Groupon or Living Social model. It’s why it doesn’t work.
It looks like Ozmott merchants won’t have the same problem, especially after throwing the reward points back in the mix.
We got a chance to talk with the team behind Ozmott. Check out the interview below.
What is Ozmott?
Ozmott is an interactive mobile shopping application that features three concepts- Shop, Share, and Indulge. Our mobile app provides a map of local merchants featuring offers in the user’s area with a simple redemption process. Once the user enters the store they are able to select the offer they wish to purchase, show their smartphone to the cashier, and redeem “Pips” (reward points) toward future purchases. Pips are redeemed when the user wishes to purchase a “Luxe Offer,” which is a high-end product they normally would not be able to afford at a reduced price. Users are also encouraged to add their friends and share offers with them to earn extra Pips, which also benefits the merchant on board.
In layman’s terms, how does it work? (In other words how would you explain it to your grandmother)
Ozmott features an Offer Suite for each participating store within the application. Thanks to GPS technology and mobile mapping, Ozmott will show the stores closest to you and allow you to “check in” to redeem offers. This app is beneficial to the user because it requires no printing, coupons, or hassle; the user is able to take their phone to any Ozmott location and redeem as many offers as they wish.
Who are the founders and what are their backgrounds?
Co-Founder Joseph Walker- Joe serves as co-founder, president and COO and has over twenty years of experience in the production of digital media. After earning degrees from Dartmouth College and New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program as well as working for such companies as GTE, Starwave, Pacific Interactive and the Microsoft Corporation, launching Ozmott was the fulfillment of his dream to base a high-tech business in his hometown of Traverse City.
Co-Founder Edward Walker- Mr. Walker has 40 years experience in a vast number of business fields. Starting with a BS Degree from Central Michigan University with concentrations in Math and Physics he went on to establish several successful oil and gas exploration companies with offices and activities throughout the continental U.S. He has founded several technology-oriented startups including a fiber optic telecommunications company, a software and hardware contract negotiations service and an animation production company. He is also the founder of a music production company and The Kingsley Club, one of the top 20 rated golf clubs in North America and is a Trustee of the nationally recognized First Tee Organization.
Project Manager Andrew Affleck – Mr. Affleck is a senior IT Professional with 20 years experience in Technical Operations, Customer Support, Project Management, and Solutions Delivery for such firms as Pfizer, Merck, Cambium Learning, The Dartmouth Medical School and WebCT Inc. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College and a Master’s degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Where are you based?
Our office is based in Traverse City, Michigan. We have a development team based out of the East Coast as well as local merchants throughout the Midwest and New York.
What’s the startup scene/culture like where you’re based?
Ozmott is one of the few tech start-ups in the Traverse City area. Northern Michigan is full of innovators and entrepreneurs, but we are just breaking into the tech market.
How did you come up with the idea for Ozmott?
Ozmott is the result of combining two ideas. The first, for an app that combined the features of a Deal-A-Day product with a location-based mobile social app and the second, an idea to translate virtual game “credits” into real-world value. The best of both ideas were distilled and combined into something that is unique to the market for both user’s and participating merchants.
How did you come up with the name?
Ozmott is a combination of the words “Osmosis” and “Kismet,” which means “to bring good fortune.”
What problem does Ozmott solve?
Many consumers are overwhelmed with the amount of e-mails and spam they receive from businesses. Our simple and efficient application makes it easy to find the best offers in the user’s area and rewards them for each purchase and share.
What’s your secret sauce?
Simplicity. By resisting the temptation to add as many “bells and whistles” as we can think up, we’ve kept the core functionality “pure”. This results in an app that is easy to use and maintains a clear value to the consumer.
Are you bootstrapped or funded?
We are currently funded by Angel Investors.
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in the startup process?
We have an excellent team at Ozmott. Our entrepreneurial culture and tenacious staff has made it possible to form a growing company here in Traverse City. Our goal is to create a tech industry in Northern Michigan by making Ozmott a Groupon-sized company.
Who are some of your mentors and business role models?
My mentor would have to be my father, Ed Walker. He’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. My role model would be Stanley Kubrick. He had the tenacity to see a vision to its fruition even through the times when that vision wasn’t entirely clear.
What’s next for Ozmott?
We are developing the next version of the Ozmott server application. This will allow the smaller regional and local merchants to sign up to use the Ozmott service and manage their accounts all through a simple web interface.
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