Q&A with truApp Evangelist Carolyn Boddy

I recently published a short write-up on truApp, a start-up in Ann Arbor, Michigan that gives students the opportunity to tell their story in their own words to a network of potential employers. Carolyn was gracious enough to answer some questions for me about truApp.

Where did the idea for truApp originate?

The idea for truApp actually originated when our CEO and co-founder, Moses Lee, was at a portfolio day for high school students. He couldn’t believe that they were still using tangible print copies for their portfolio’s. The origins of an electronic portfolio system started there, and has grown into the site we have today.

How did you come up with “truApp”?

It actually came from “common app” – the application that is used by high school seniors to apply to participating colleges – most Ivy leagues use it, as well as the University of Michigan. Why shouldn’t there be a common app to apply to jobs, too?

How long has the app been around?

truApp is our alpha product, which was launched in December of 2011. Our beta is coming this July!

What companies are already on board and how does a business join up?

We have over 125 organizations on truApp – and counting. Some of our bigger names include Teach for America, Venture for America, and also Airtime – Sean Parker’s (founder of Napster, and played by Justin Timberlake in the movie The Social Network) newest venture. We’ve also got a large presence for smaller, entrepreneurial start-up companies. Currently, businesses can sign-up for an alpha test absolutely free and begin recruiting immediately. They simply have to make a profile and fill it out – there’s room to add Business Culture, mission, and of course – post available positions. http://www.truapp.me/alphaRecruit

FlockTAG Rewards Loyalty to Local Businesses

When people think of Michigan, they think of Detroit. The Motor City. We’re known for the auto industry. And while GM is back on the rise, most people outside of the state don’t realize that Michigan is home to some of the most innovative, influential and entrepreneurial minds.

Now, we don’t have a San Francisco, but with Twitter opening an office in Detroit and Quicken Loans CEO Dan Gilbert snatching up property, the city and the state are poised to become a hub of tech innovation.

Not far outside of Detroit is the University of Michigan and its had a recent string of outstanding young entrepreneurial innovators. As I was writing my first post about the student-centric professional network truApp, I stopped into one of my favorite restaurants to get a bite to eat. It was there that I discovered another innovative product out of Ann Arbor: FlockTAG.

 

What is FlockTAG? I’ll let them explain it.

“FlockTAG is a universal loyalty card network that brings new advantages to independent neighborhood businesses.

By blending smart cards, smartphones, and smart software and data, FlockTAG offers local business owners a better way to attract new customers and reward loyalty. With FlockTAG’s unique collaborative commerce network, your business can better compete with larger chains.

Finally, a loyalty program that makes the most cents for you and your customers.”

Coolness. I was in just up I-96 in East Lansing and I was curious as to how many other places were using this. As it turns out, FlockTAG, like truApp, is making its way around both Ann Arbor and East Lansing.

FlockTAG’s website refers to it as “collaborative commerce”, and when I spoke to co-creator David Lin, he explained it in a little more detail.

“FlockTAG was created as a marketing platform for local businesses. They work closely to one another, but very often don’t have time to market their own businesses. We wanted to help.”

While Lin was understandably mum on specific technical information, he did tell me that they are currently testing lots of new features that will help businesses grow. In its current state, here’s how it works:

1. The customer gets and registers a card, good at any location using FlockTAG
2. The customer uses the card at all participating locations to rack up “tags” and rewards
3. The customer keeps track of their account details on a mobile app
4. And if the customer ever loses their card, no worries! All of their purchases and information are kept electronically, so they can get a new one and be on their way.

So that’s great for the customer and all, but how does it help businesses?

For one thing it saves cost on paper. FlockTAG is available for a monthly subscription that includes the kiosk (an Android tablet was what I saw), software, card reader and cards. Businesses will also benefit because they can customize the parameters of their rewards program. And once this catches on with a block of local businesses, customers will no doubt love the convenience of having one card to keep track of their rewards for all of their favorite places. And you don’t want to be left in the dust, right? Do yourself a favor and get FlockTAG now.

Do you use FlockTAG? Are you a customer or business owner? What do you think? Let’s chat in the comments.