Shopping locally is about to get a whole lot easier: Two Scotts Valley business owners have launched Think Local First, Scotts Valley — an independent affiliate of the successful Think Local campaign in Santa Cruz.
Andy Van Valer, principal of business consultant company Zyzyrgy, and Rosanna Herrera, owner of Bruno’s BBQ, together have begun a campaign to build business in Scotts Valley.
“The idea is to get people to think local and get on their computer, iPhone or Droid and find a special,” Herrera said.
Both Van Valer and Herrera have been going door to door to invite business owners to sign up for Think Local First and to attend the inaugural community get-together April 12.
The plan is to have monthly gatherings where businesses can share ideas with each other and consultants will give advice and lead clinics, Herrera said.
Herrera is also working on a classroom adoption program, where a business would adopt a single classroom for the school year, helping with supplies the teacher might need.
Van Valer said Think Local First would not compete with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, but support it to build up the business community in the area.
A key element of the campaign is the mobile app, powered by AdXplore. Businesses will be part of a directory and can list deals that can be changed with the click of a button.
“It will bring hi-tech to those businesses that have no idea how to use it or don’t have time,” Van Valer said. “They can update deals whenever they want. We made it as easy as possible.”
An annual membership fee would run from $20 for a basic member to $500 for a gold member, money that would pay for printing and advertising for Think Local First.
For information: Andy Van Valer, av*******@zy*****.com or 216-1075; or www.thinklocalsantacruz.org.
