Growing up, my mom owned a quaint gift shop and tearoom that was a local’s favorite. Whether people were grabbing a quick coffee or wanted a delicious lunch, The Olde Curiosity Shoppe was something special–not just to the regulars but also to our family. 
I was a waitress there for years and it helped pay for college. The purchases clients made put food on my family’s table and helped fund our many needs.
In the world of corporations and franchises, #ShopLocal has fallen to the wayside. Though Groupon offers great deals for consumers, did you know when a local merchant offers a 50 percent discount, they have to give another 50 percent to Groupon as commission? You do the math and the equation is that so many “Deals” companies are not pro-small business.
The point is that every dollar spent has a REAL impact on the community. By shopping at locally owned, independent businesses, more money is kept in the community.
Introducing Cyphr
Getting the attention of new customers has become much more difficult in the digital age for local business owners; the digital marketing solutions they’ve been given have been costly and ineffective. But there’s a new kid in Denver that has figured out a fun way to support local businesses and be rewarded for it!
With Cyphr’s free app, you unlock local businesses you choose. Those businesses send you time-sensitive “Secrets.” If you see a Secret you want to use later, you just press the “lock” button and it saves in your vault. At that point, it becomes like a mobile coupon you use before the expiration date. Cyphr provides a cost-effective solution where business owners can send the message they want, to the audience they want, at the exact time that they want that audience to receive it. They don’t take a percentage of their sales; they don’t even charge them until after it works for them.
How Does It Work?
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
