9 questions with Assortify’s Marcus Goedeker

Assortify is an ecommerce platform’s dream merchandiser. The algorithm, developed by Marcus Goedeker, Jacob Messerly and Jeremy Vlcan (all Hayneedle veterans), measures the effectiveness of a retailer’s product assortment by comparing it to their competitors and analyzing trends in the online marketplace. Assortify can then identify opportunities for new product assortment as well as provide…

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Assortify is an ecommerce platform’s dream merchandiser. The algorithm, developed by Marcus Goedeker, Jacob Messerly and Jeremy Vlcan (all Hayneedle veterans), measures the effectiveness of a retailer’s product assortment by comparing it to their competitors and analyzing trends in the online marketplace. Assortify can then identify opportunities for new product assortment as well as provide analysis on optimizing current product data.

Assorify is currently in the middle of the Straight Shot accelerator in Omaha. SPN interviewed co-founder Marcus Goedeker about Assortify’s experience so far:

 

SPN: Who do you call on for advice? Either personally or as a hero-type.

MG: There have been so many people that we have called on for advice. It truly changes depending on the question or situation. Through Straight Shot, we have received countless introductions to some of the brightest startup minds in the area. Having said that, David Arnold at Straight Shot has been an invaluable resource for us to discuss ideas and keep us moving in the right direction.

SPN: What’s keeping you awake at night right now?

MG: Currently, it is customer acquisition. The process going from initial call to signing a contract takes a lot of work and has many moving parts. We want to put our best foot forward when engaging with a prospective customer, and we go to great lengths to highlight the value in our product. Keeping a balance between customer acquisition activities and product enhancements weighs on our thoughts constantly.

SPN: What was the latest milestone you achieve and how did your startup celebrate?

MG: The latest milestone we achieved was getting meetings with two companies that were very high on our list of companies we would like to work with in the area. This was achieved through the Straight Shot network. A high-five may have been the extent of the celebration.

SPN: If your company had one motto, what is it?

MG: The price of light is less than the cost of darkness. We believe that data can illuminate opportunities to our customers that they would not otherwise have been able to see. Most retailers are incurring high costs based off bad product decisions and are searching in the dark to select the right products to carry at the appropriate time. Making data-driven decisions will allow our customers to save time and money, and they will no longer have to rely solely on intuition.

The price of light is less than the cost of darkness.

SPN: What’s the best advice you’ve received from a fellow Silicon Prairie-ite?

MG: Customers will buy as long as the value they will receive is greater than the sum of the amount they’re paying. We have changed our sales process based on this advice. We now spend time with every prospective customer outlining the value of our product offering in real numbers.

SPN: What’s the best reaction you’ve received when you share that you’re an entrepreneur or work in startups?

MG: We are always surprised at how many people wish they could take the leap to entrepreneurship. So many people have an idea they wish they could pursue and find the world of startups quite intriguing. So far, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

SPN: How do you stay focused?

MG: Every time we speak to a prospective customer, we want to wow them with our product and expertise. It is not enough for us to be just good, we want to be great. Trying to achieve this goal keeps us focused.

SPN: What makes your team the winning team? How will you beat your competitors?

MG: Our industry experience is what makes us suited to be the winning team.  We’ve experienced retail technology holistically for over a decade. We’ve been pitched, subscribed, utilized and built countless technology products during our time at Top 100 Internet Retailer, Hayneedle, and while consulting for many other retail clients at the marketing agencies we’ve founded. We have developed our product to address the needs that we faced every day.

SPN: How can the Silicon Prairie readers help you?

MG: We are always looking for introductions to retailers that could use our product.

Assortify will be pitching at Straight Shot’s Demo Day on September 10 in Omaha. Demo Day tickets can be reserved here.

Ryan Pendell is the Managing Editor of Silicon Prairie News.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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