Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Martin.
Hi Shawn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Southwest Atlanta. I’m a “Grady baby” and a true Atlanta sports fan. I love my city and the people in it.
For 16 years, I worked in the insurance industry. I grew tired of sales, and began looking for a way to go into business for myself. Last year, I was working part time in a warehouse when the pandemic hit. I knew this was my chance to make a move.
So, while still keeping my part time job, I decided to sign up with Instacart. It was going well as a side gig. I really enjoyed it. But one week, things got complicated. First, someone hacked into the Instacart system, making it hard for me to get work through the app. Then, my warehouse job slowed production and I was told to stay home until further notice. I was at a standstill.
Through a Facebook page I found for Instacart shoppers, I discovered there was another shopping app called Dumpling, which allows you to build your own client base. This was it: I could build my business by having a special clientele with loyal, repeat customers.
So I went for it. Using an LLC I created in 2017, I started “Martin Grocery Service,” a business for my clients to have the ultimate personal shopping experience. A year later, I was filming my first commercial with my friend’s company, Stonewerq Media. His company also revamped my company logo. I added branding merchandise (shirts, hats,etc) through my cousin’s company, Design Like Mike. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business has definitely had its challenges. Having personal struggles, setbacks, and having to adjust during a global pandemic was not easy at all. But I believed in myself and had a lot of support from friends and family. I knew consistency is key, so I kept going. I learned quickly about the power of social media and networking. Even though there is a lot of competition, trust yourself and your brand. Get your name out there and let people know what you’re doing. Also, starting a business, you should try to get funding and capital in the beginning. Trying to start up a business on a shoestring budget is difficult.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Martin Grocery Service is a professional personal shopping company. Although “grocery“ is in our name, we go beyond just grocery shopping. We will shop at any store that accepts major credit cards. Currently, all of our clients are residential however, we can shop for commercial clients as well.
We really strive to add a personal touch and pay attention to the details, as if we were shopping for ourselves. We try to pick the best quality products for our customers and we take pride in that.
What sets us apart from other shopping companies is that we don’t charge monthly or yearly fees. We shop in store prices and communicate throughout the whole process, giving our customers alternatives along the way. Over time, we get to know what our customer’s preferences are because we come to really know them as people.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Business ownership is not for the faint of heart. It’s very meticulous. If you don’t get up and go, you don’t get paid. I’ve also learned that you have to stay current in your business genre and know what’s going on and what new things are out there. Lastly, a successful business need a plan, foundation, and structure. Without that, you won’t survive.
Contact Info:
- Email: louis.d.martin@gmail.com
- Website: https://shop.dumpling.us/louis724
- Instagram: @mart_grocerysvc
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/martgrocerysvc/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ldsmartinent
- Other: https://fanbase.app/martgrocerysvc
Image Credits:
David Collins
