Update and Poll on my local Farm delivery service

[catherine]

If you recall, I got positive feedback from a potential farmer/vendor for my new local food delivery service!!

So, my official meeting with the executive chef there is next Monday!! My daughter is almost done with my logo. I'm homing in on the right business model. To those of you who sent me links, that was SO HELPFUL. I've also been exploring on my own.

So, the name is Exit 9: to stress the local aspect, and to play off the old joke ("I'm from New Jersey." "What exit?"), and also because it symbolizes choosing to get off the fast lane and go down the slower road. Also, for New Agey people, 9 is a good number from a numerology point of view.

But I can't figure out the shortest, best descriptor for the service. Here are a few suggestions... please vote!

ETA: I had also been playing around with:

Exit 9 Main Street on Wheels OR
Exit 9 Mobile Main Street

This would allow me to expand eventually to non-food local deliveries, and it kind of is an emotional pull toward community. But I also think it's vague. People might not know what it is. Any thoughts?

[SteveinMN]

Apparently I'm the first voter ... :)

I think one of the things you might consider is what happens after Exit 9 is a success. You mention branching out into non-food delivery items. Would those items be natural produced items like beeswax candles or other crafted items like art or clothing? Might that have an effect on the name?

[iris lily]

I voted for #1. I do best with literal expressions.

[catherine]

I think one of the things you might consider is what happens after Exit 9 is a success. You mention branching out into non-food delivery items. Would those items be natural produced items like beeswax candles or other crafted items like art or clothing? Might that have an effect on the name?

Exactly.. that's why I kind of veered off into the "Mobile Main Street" concept.

However, to Iris lily's point, I think I need to be very literal when first starting out. I'm already worried that Exit 9 isn't descriptive enough. What do you think?

[Kestra]

I picked local food delivery because farm delivery makes me think you are delivering to farms, not from farms to consumers.

[SteveinMN]

I think Exit 9 is a great name for the very reasons you mentioned. But, yes, a secondary name/subtitle would help to explain. The thing is that being specific now (which is good) will result in issues if/when you go broader later. That's one reason I wondered if future product extensions would be food-related (honey-beeswax, beef-leather) or not (clothing, art). You'll have to be more general for the latter.

[Mrs-M]

I voted for "Local Farm/CSA Delivery". Sounds thorough...

[Tussiemussies]

I voted for NJ Organics Direct To You. It lets them know that the item will be organic which is why you stand out, and also that you your specialness is that you will deliver directly. If those two items weren't mentioned I don't think it would be as clear as to what makes you stand out from competitive businesses. So exciting!!!:)

May e you could add delivered direct to you. That would say it all what you are about...

[nswef]

I liked door to door for the locavore first because it rhymes....but then because it tells what it is. Good luck.

[lhamo]

I like the "Door to Door for the Locovore" one best -- seems to give you more options for branching out. You are targeting a type of demographic (someone who cares about supporting local businesses, reducing their environmental footprint, etc) and offering a particular type of service (door to door delivery). What comes in that package can be a variety of things, not necessarily all certified organic goods or even food.

Good luck! This is a great concept and I hope it takes off for you!

lhamo

[catherine]

Thank you, all! Great responses! I'm shooting for 30 votes, so if the rest of you have a sec, please cast your vote!

[leslieann]

Catherine,

I am so glad this is moving ahead. I voted for door to door for the locavore because it is catchy and your demographic knows exactly what a locavore is. (even though my spell checker does not). However, that might be a better "tag line" or slogan. The NJ Organics is nice, too...maybe use that in the business name but then the locavore saying on your card. It is very catchy but describes what you do more than what you ARE. Or something. I am not actually capturing what I mean but there is some qualitative difference between what you want to call your business and what you want people to SAY about it.

So I probably should have voted for NJ Organics but I am quite captivated by the rhyme, I guess.

This is very exciting. I am glad you are keeping us updated.

[iris lily]

Is everything you sell really going to be certified organic?

[razz]

"Doortodoor for the locavore" has a lovely rhythm to it and does not limit what one can offer as the business grows.

[catherine]

Is everything you sell really going to be certified organic?

In terms of the produce, since I don't have any vendors YET, I think my main concern about any descriptor with Organic in the title could be limiting... The only reason I added was because it is because I don't know...

However, there's a late-breaking twist. When looking up on the internet to see if the farmers I'm targeting are 100% organic, I learned that my closest competitor (based in Eastern PA and parts of NJ) has changed their name--from Suburban Organics to Door-to-Door Organics. Bummer! I think that pretty much nixes anything with Organic in the name, or even Door-to-Door to avoid confusion in the overlapping area. As far as "Door-to-door for the Locavore" I could go with "Direct to the Door of the Locavore" if I decide to go that route.

[Fawn]

I also like Door to Door for the Locavore. If you have to tweak it due to the competition's new name, how about Direct to Your Door for the Locavore?

Good luck! I love this idea.

[leslieann]

I like Fawn's twist...Direct to YOUR door.

The stuff I have read about marketing my practice all suggest making materials VERY personal so that the potential client can imagine herself getting services. Direct to MY door? You're hired!

In fact, I am SO wishing that this service was here.....I need to just run up the hill to my local food supplier but I don't have time to get there when they are open! Yes, I would pay extra for delivery service. I expect you won't be traveling out of country, though...