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We reached out to ShopAtHome.com founder & CEO Marc Braunstein to learn a bit more about his company. ShopAtHome.com is an online coupon and savings company based in Greenwood Village, CO. There is a lot more to the company than first appears, as Braunstein explained. We were surprised by many of the things he said and thought you would enjoy reading.
Founder and CEO of ShopAtHome.com, Marc Braunstein:
1. We’ve actually been around longer than the World Wide Web. Since 1986, in fact. Of course, back then, we were known as the Catalog of Catalogs, providing a direct mail service to connect consumers with retailers. In 2009, we went online-only, and, in the next three years, saw a 363 percent revenue growth, from $16.8 million in 2009 to $77.5 million in 2012.
2. Yes, we offer coupons, but also a whole lot more. In addition to the more than 120,000 active coupons currently on the site, we boast some 900 grocery offers, more than 50,000 merchants, the best cash back in the industry and, most recently, launched ShopGold Rewards, a program that allows our members to earn points that score them free gift cards to their favorite online stores. That’s a lot of ways to save.
3. We love to give our shoppers money – lots of money. When we tell our friends and family about the features of ShopAtHome.com, the response is always the same: “Why wouldn’t you?” See, not only do you score that promo code for a discount or free shipping, but we work with retailers to get you a percentage of your purchase back in cash; once you earn $20, we mail you a check. And with ShopGold Rewards, you earn points for doing things you’re probably already doing online, like shopping, checking out new products or playing games, that can be redeemed for free gift cards. Saving really is that easy. But here’s what we really love: Our members have earned $67 million in cash back rewards. And we’re always working to get them more.
4. Our members are active. With 12 million unique monthly visitors and 86 million members total – not to mention 3 million people using our browser app and 450,000 taking advantage of our mobile app — our teams are continually working on bigger and better ways to save you money.
5. We’re really into food. Bagel Thursdays. A kitchen that’s always stocked with soda, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, peanut butter, pretzels, trail mix, Starbucks coffee. Any excuse to celebrate with a good nosh? We’ll, er, bite: a Broncos Super Bowl berth, Valentine’s Day, company-wide meetings, John Stamos’s birthday (one rabid Full House fan is to blame for that one). But you better be quick when someone rolls out an ice cream cake. Seriously. You could lose a finger.
6. We're really into Halloween. Each year, the different departments compete for office bragging rights with themed costumes, decorations and, you guessed it, food. Last year, marketing took home the pumpkin prize, dressing as famous ’80s-era zombies and performing a surprise flash mob dance to Thriller. (Yes, there’s video.)
7. We’re also big on community. Last year, a core group of ShopAtHome.com team members started a committee to provide outreach to local groups. In our first event, employees donated gifts to help fulfill the Children’s Hospital of Colorado’s holiday wish list, and we nearly doubled our giving goal. Sept. 6, we’ll be participating in the Xcel Energy Day of Service, planting and cleaning up for the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, improving and promoting the area’s natural and recreational resources. And we’re excited for more events to come!
8. We’d love to be friends on Facebook. Our social networks are important to us. We have 4.7 million Facebook fans, 300,000 Twitter followers and active Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram accounts. Join us at facebook.com/ShopAtHome; @shopathome on Twitter and Instagram, pinterest.com/shopathome and plus.google.com/+shopathome.
9. Work-life balance is important here. Our employees boast an amazing range of hobbies, skills and side-gigs outside the office. Just a few of the feats our people can claim: Ironman triathlete, blues band singer, MMA fighter, filmmaker, fashion blogger, hip-hop teacher, basketball coach, Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, wedding coordinator and zoo animal handler.
10. We take our state’s unofficial slogan of “Colorful Colorado” to heart. If you’re in the Tech Center, stop by our bright and open new office space to see for yourself. From hot pink and neon green walls to Pac-Man and Cookie Monster decals, our décor reminds us that, yes, we work hard, but we also know the importance of having fun. And if you're invited to a meeting room, don't be surprised if you find yourself in Mile High, Botanic Gardens, Boulder or Denver Zoo. We’re a national company, but we’re proud to call Denver home.
