Ox&Pen

Ready for the ultimate tip of the holiday season? Here goes.

Have you ever seen a beautifully-wrapped gift? I’m not just talking about when the ribbon matches the paper and the card. I’m talking about the type of gift that is presented so amazingly that it becomes the most talked-about gift, even if it’s a pair of socks in a room full of iPads.

Win the gift wrap contest this year.

We’ve all seen those gifts, but who has ever had the time (or the creativity) to be the person to give such a work of art? Good news. There’s a service that can help you win the gift wrap contest (yes, it’s always a contest) this holiday season.

Boon is what happens when the holiday boards on Pinterest team up with a personal assistant to become the ultimate professional service—professional gift wrapping. Turn over your packaging and wrapping responsibilities to the experts at Boon; you won’t be disappointed with the masterpieces that come back to you. Plus you’ll save time. How much? You’ll save so much time that you can go back to daydreaming about the day you’ll actually build that United States-shaped bookshelf you’ve been eyeing.

The icing on the cake? When everyone oohs and ahhs over your gifts, go ahead and tell them it was you and your craftiness that made it happen; Boon’s gift to you is keeping everything a secret and letting you take credit.

Just for Ox&Pen members: 20% off any service at Boon.

Continue reading “Don’t let ugly gift wrap happen to…” »

Best Movember mustache goes to...

Big news: Ox&Pen founder & CEO, Andrew Gluck, will take the stage tonight at Technori Pitch! You’ll know who he is because he’ll be the presenter with the best Movember mustache.

If you haven’t been to Technori Pitch yet, it’s well worth your time. As technori.com articulates, “Technori Pitch is a monthly showcase of the city’s most innovative companies, pitching their latest technologies. It’s the city’s first large-scale, curated platform for companies to demo before an audience of entrepreneurs, executives, and enthusiasts. Every month, five companies get 5 minutes to demo their product and 3 minutes of moderated audience Q&A.”

As most of you know, Chicago’s startup scene is burgeoning, and Technori Pitch is your chance to see a few of Chicago’s up-and-coming companies. Plus, after the event, there are food & drink specials at Rosebud Theatre District; we can’t complain about that. Join us tonight! Tickets available here.

Continue reading “Join Ox&Pen at Technori Pitch tonight!…” »

You get to go on special tours of one of the city’s most celebrated breweries.

On Monday, Ken from Goose Island led us on a private tour of the local brewery’s Fulton & Wood location. Matilda and Sofie lovers – this is where all Private Reserve brews originate, including the aforementioned, Pepe Nero and Lolita.

Warehouse full of bourbon casks for Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout

On the tour, Ken led us through all the typical brewery tour talking points—barley, hops, yeast, wheat and that delicious Lake Michigan water. All of this is necessary information as I train my palate to distinguish subtleties in each beer I sip, but for me, it wasn’t the selling point about the Chicago brewery.

Ken went onto explain how Goose Island can brew so many different families of beer without them all tasting like each other. In many breweries, only one or two strands of yeast (or Hefe, in German) are used for the beers, so if 10 different beers are brewed, those two strands are used for multiple beers from multiple families. At Goose Island, nine or 10 strands of yeast are used, which is why the different families of beer produced have notably distinct flavors—as if the beers weren’t even produced at the same brewery.

Goose Island's Fulton & Wood location

Of all the things Ken divulged yesterday, however, one brewery anecdote stood out among the rest. During the roasting of the barley, the husks of the barley come off, and are essentially useless for the rest of the brewing process. Rather than just chuck those husks into the garbage, Goose Island gives them to a local hog farmer to feed to his pigs. The farmer, in turn, sells his pigs to the brewery, which Goose Island serves in its brewpub locations.

I’m constantly blown away by the efforts of local merchants to support other local businesses. The resulting network creates a sustainable environment in which local, independent businesses can thrive. When merchants are part of a network, they support each other and facilitate local shopping and dining among patrons. After touring Goose Island, we at Ox&Pen were delighted to see our city beer icon taking the lead in participating in a local network.

For more coverage of the Ox&Pen Tour de Goose, check us out on Facebook (and like us while you’re there!).

Continue reading “Reason #87 working for a Chicago startup…” »

In some ways, it feels like it’s been just a couple of months. In other ways it feels like it’s been…well, more than that. It’s been an exhilarating ride here at Ox&Pen thus far. A trip to Great America has nothing on this roller coaster we’ve all been on! Yes, we launched just five months ago. But how do you think all those merchants appeared on our platform on that first day? We’ve been working this from the West Loop since last September.

Perhaps the reason it feels like more than a year, is because it’s really been closer to two years since initially conceiving the idea. Here are a few fun facts as to what has transpired in that time:

Concept to wire frames to functioning site & app

• I have taken on a Dutch business partner
• The idea has gone from concept, to wire frames, to production web and mobile apps
• We’re on our fifth version of the mobile app, and have a few tricks up our sleeve as to how to improve it in the near future…Stay tuned!
• The company has grown from five employees to 14
• We inherited a mascot
• The Ox&Pen merchant base has grown rapidly…and continues to do so
  

  Office mascot, Madison!

• Peter’s hair is twice as long
• …and my hair is twice as grey

But in all seriousness, I am proud to be a part of this group. We have talented and motivated people who have really bought into the vision, yet know they have the voice to consistently challenge it to make it better. Do team meetings get somewhat “spirited” amongst the group at times? ABSOLUTELY. However, the one thing we all know is that whatever happens within these walls at our West Loop headquarters is with the intention of improving your experience. Everything we do is to provide our members with the most comprehensive, yet intuitive loyalty program at their fingertips,  and in turn, create loyal customers for our merchants. “Brick by brick,” as we frequently say here.

So, all this happened in just one year? Well, that’s pretty cool…seems like a lot of good stuff in a short amount of time…a lot of bricks, if you will. However, we’ve just begun to scratch the surface and there’s still a long way to go to establish the presence we’d like. We’re just an infant in this space. It will take a lot more 12-14 hour days from the whole team here to get us where we want to be, and to have the reach we will ultimately need to still be standing at the end.

We appreciate the support everyone has given us, and welcome more feedback on how we can improve.

I look forward to what the next year holds.

Continue reading “Has it been a year already? Really?…” »

The weekend is almost upon us! It’s the final weekend of August, the last before Labor Day. So wear all the white you own and get outside; perfect weather is expected this weekend and you don’t want to miss out.

Taste of Greece is the festival to attend on Saturday and Sunday. Personally, I’m going there with a determined objective of overdosing on saganaki, kalamata olives and feta cheese. Others may have their eyes on grape leaves, baklava and that irresistible Greek charm. Whatever it is that brings you out, hope to see you there. Ox&Pen will have a booth. If you’re interested in spinning the Wheel of Loyalty to win purple swag, a gift certificate or universal loyalty points, stop by to see us!

The festival runs from 100 S. to 400 S. Halsted. Bring your friends!

Also going on this weekend is Fashion in the Street, presented by the West Loop Community Organization. Held at Washington & Green from noon – 10:00 pm this Saturday & Sunday, the event features live runway shows, boutique street shopping and a model search by Factor Women 1:00 – 3:00 each day. While you’re there, grab a snack from Westminster Hot Dog and earn some Ox&Pen universal loyalty points.

And one more thing… Special shout out to all the triathletes competing in the Chicago Triathlon this weekend! If you’re up for an early morning, head to Monroe Harbor on Sunday to cheer them on. The first wave starts swimming at 6:00 a.m.

Continue reading “The Weekend Lineup…” »

Let’s talk about universal loyalty programs. Those of us earning frequent flier miles with an airline that is part of an alliance can likely redeem those miles for free flights on any airline in said alliance. The same is true of some credit card loyalty systems; every dollar you spend translates into a point that can be used at one of several merchants within the credit card’s network.

While the above examples truly embody the idea of a universal loyalty program, neither caters to small, local business owners or their patrons. Rather, those programs work best on a bigger scale; their loyalty networks are typically reserved for large, national (or international) chains.

In the very early stages of conceiving what would later become Ox&Pen, I knew supporting local businesses would be one of our critical objectives and that the loyalty component would be a huge driver in achieving that. I knew the network effect of the above mentioned loyalty programs could be extremely powerful for small businesses, but there were challenges in creating this with seemingly disparate neighborhood specialty shops.

Often, if our favorite mom-and-pop shop has its own rewards program, it involves a punch-card, where, you get something free with every 10^th purchase, but rewards can only be redeemed at that location. This system works well for people who live or work nearby. But if a particular vendor is on the other side of town, the effort required to get there 10 times might outweigh the benefit of receiving something for free. In this case, the punch-card loyalty program isn’t really added incentive to visit that store over another, and both the consumer and the merchant miss out.

However, with Ox&Pen, you can earn loyalty points for purchases and social engagement at a card shop near your home on one side of town, for example, and later redeem those points using your smartphone at that new lunch place near your work on the other. You feel good because you are shopping locally and earning loyalty points at the same time. The owner of the card shop is also happy; he gains an incremental sale that otherwise may have gone elsewhere. What a novel concept: creating a “loyal” customer, even if just a one-time shopper.

Not only does Ox&Pen’s model provide its members with plenty of flexibility in how their hard-earned points can be used; but business owners benefit by joining forces with other small, local establishments. As a network, they can much better compete against their big-box rivals in the loyalty game.

Continue reading “Universal loyalty network built for small, local…” »

It feels good to give back. No matter how hard you’re working, if you’re supporting a good cause, you’ll walk away with that great feeling inside. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you have the opportunity to give back and have tons of fun while doing so. This was the case when Andrew, Vanessa, Jeff, Adam and I were able to volunteer last week as coaches at Girls in the Game summer camp.

The mission of Girls in the Game is to provide and promote sports and fitness opportunities, nutrition and health education, and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of girls. After spending half a day with the staff at Girls in the Game and the girls they mentor, we understand the importance of this organization. We couldn’t be more impressed with the staff and the clear positive effect they had on the campers. (Plus, they must have some sort of special superpowers; I never would have imagined it possible to keep 120 girls, ages 7-13, in line all day without incident.)

Tip of the hat to Girls in the Game. We had a great time and look forward to continued involvement!

The whole group shows their muscles after a day at Girls in the Game summer camp.

Coach Andrew and a few campers

Christy plays tunnel tag with campers

Andrew coaches lacrosse

Continue reading “Ox&Pen volunteers at Girls in the Game…” »

Ox&Pen is returning to the Chicago summer festival scene this weekend, opening up a booth at Wicker Park Fest on July 28 and 29. To the delight

Look for the Ox&Pen booth at Wicker Park Fest and spin to win great prizes!

of all you locavores out there, the booth will again feature the Wheel of Loyalty, which festival goers can spin for the chance to win swag, loyalty points and gift cards from celebrated local merchants like:

• Frontier
• The Pony
• Aquarium Salon
• The Fifty/50
• Roots Pizza
• Blümgarten & Co. Floral Design
• Westminster Hot Dog

Every spinner is a winner!

A few weeks ago, Ox&Pen ended up being one of the main attractions at West Fest as festival attendees stopped by to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. Whether it was the lure of winning gift cards from a few of Chicago’s most highly regarded local merchants, or just the chance to spin a prize wheel, there was always a crowd around the Ox&Pen booth.

West Fest was our first experience as a festival sponsor, and because it was such a big success and so fun, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it again. Wicker Park is an incredible neighborhood and we look forward to the chance to support it and its local merchants.

At Wicker Park Fest this weekend, those who download the Ox&Pen app for iPhone® or Android™and use it to check in at the booth are invited to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. Spinners win one of many prizes, including: gift cards, tank tops, t-shirts, water bottles, sunglasses and Ox&Pen universal loyalty points. And yes, every spin wins!

Wicker Park Fest is on Milwaukee Ave., from North to Paulina, from noon – 10:00 p.m. on Sat., July 28 and Sun., July 29. A $5 donation upon entrance is suggested. Proceeds benefit the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.

Continue reading “Win gift cards and prizes at Wicker…” »

Here’s a true story my friend Ryan just relayed to me about a punch card loyalty program:

Seeking escape from the heat last week, Ryan popped into a coffee shop for a cold beverage. Even better—he had a “Buy 10 drinks, get the 11^th FREE” card on him with 10 punches in it—he was due for a free beverage! After ordering, Ryan offered up the fully punched card as payment, only to be told that the coffee shop stopped accepting those punch cards last week!

Ryan’s loyalty to the coffee shop went down the drain along with the free drink he once thought he had. The points he accrued in the form of punches now have a value of zero; he can’t go down the street to the Italian sandwich shop and use them toward his lunch instead. He can’t even just hang onto them to use at another time. All the money Ryan spent on those drinks was spent in vain. Had he known that the loyalty punches would one day hold no value, he may have gone elsewhere to grab a coffee.

That experiences like Ryan’s exist is a big reason Ox&Pen is a universal loyalty network, and not just a loyalty program. Accrual of universal loyalty points means you have the choice of where to redeem your earned points. Points that are redeemable network-wide also serve as something of an insurance policy. If, for whatever reason, you are no longer able to use your points at a merchant in the network, those points still retain value and can be redeemed anywhere else in the network. Such is not the case for loyalty punch cards. Whether it’s a physical card or a smartphone-based loyalty app, the fact remains that those points are likely redeemable only at the merchant at which they were earned.

Don’t let one-dimensional loyalty points happen to you; download Ox&Pen for iPhone® or Android™ and start reaping the benefits of universal loyalty rewards.

Continue reading “Regular loyalty programs bear little weight when…” »

I don’t think a blog can adequately convey how much of a blast we had at West Fest. Many thanks to the West Town Chamber of Commerce for putting on a great event, and to the many friends and neighbors who stopped by the Ox&Pen booth to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. There weren’t any slow moments during the weekend. Some people came over hoping to hear more about a universal loyalty program; some wanted to know what all the commotion was; and some stopped by solely because they like anything and everything purple.

The Ox&Pen booth was conveniently positioned near Roots Pizza and Bleeding Heart Bakery and Café; the fact that we were giving away gift cards for the two hot spots and buying shots at Roots for Ox&Pen members may have been part of the reason for the ever-present and excited crowd huddled around our booth.

We gave away hundreds of prizes, including gift cards, sunglasses, t-shirts, water bottles and tens of thousands of universal loyalty points. We made new friends and networked with local merchants interested in the platform. We ate delicious food from Frontier, our booth neighbor, and cooled off with a few ice-cold beers. Check out a few photos from the weekend on our Facebook page (you can like us too while you’re there!).

It was an awesome weekend and we can’t wait until our next festival appearance—Wicker Park Fest on July 28 & 29! See you there!

P.S.  Those of you who took home loyalty points, keep in mind you can redeem them anywhere in the network! They’re yours to use whenever and wherever you’d like! For a list of rewards you can get with your loyalty points, sign in to your Ox&Pen account and click this link.

The Ox&Pen team at West Fest

Manning the booth

Spinning the Wheel of Loyalty

Continue reading “Spinning the Wheel of Loyalty at West…” »