Our Story
When I started programming (not going to say when that was 😉), I primarily worked on shopping cart, lead generation, email and text-message marketing software.
One of the products I was hired to build was eventually pitched TO local businesses, but it wasn't really built FOR local businesses.
After moving on from that project I thought I could build something much better on my own.
One of the products I was hired to build was eventually pitched TO local businesses, but it wasn't really built FOR local businesses.
After moving on from that project I thought I could build something much better on my own.
Let's Try Direct Mail
Around 2014 I set out to build my own marketing software for local businesses, and tried to keep it simple at first, starting with direct mail since I knew everyone already understood it.
USPS Every Door Direct Mail was new at that time, and I thought, what if I could get many different local businesses to go together, split up an EDDM flyer, and share in the mailing costs?
So I built a system for that, went out and got businesses to advertise and mailed out my first 11x17, folded-in-half direct mail flyer:
USPS Every Door Direct Mail was new at that time, and I thought, what if I could get many different local businesses to go together, split up an EDDM flyer, and share in the mailing costs?
So I built a system for that, went out and got businesses to advertise and mailed out my first 11x17, folded-in-half direct mail flyer:
The outside of the 11x17 flyer
The inside of the 11x17 flyer
Every business had lines out the door...
Just kidding! That's not how it worked out. The redemptions weren't the greatest. Also, it was difficult to get a lot of businesses together, all at once.
I share that story not just because it was the beginning of my venture into local business marketing, but also to say that things don't always work out the way you had originally intended, even after pouring your heart and soul into it.
I share that story not just because it was the beginning of my venture into local business marketing, but also to say that things don't always work out the way you had originally intended, even after pouring your heart and soul into it.
Refocused Attention Online
But through that process I learned a lot and decided to focus my attention on the online opportunities.
I started to grow a community of other marketers who had taken notice of my software and shared a common interest in local business marketing.
I then continued to experiment with different marketing concepts. If you can name it, there's a good chance I built some version of it and tried it.
I started to grow a community of other marketers who had taken notice of my software and shared a common interest in local business marketing.
I then continued to experiment with different marketing concepts. If you can name it, there's a good chance I built some version of it and tried it.
Fast-forward to 2024
I skipped over a lot of details of the journey since then, but I can summarize it like this: Lots of work. Trying new things. A few complete flops that took a ton of time. Covid. Some really unexpected successes. Being able to see what people really want and what works best.
In 2024 I set out to build a new marketing system from the ground up, implementing only the best strategies.
In 2024 I set out to build a new marketing system from the ground up, implementing only the best strategies.
Launch & Grow in 2025
With the software development wrapped up in 2025, I am now going full-steam ahead with video content creation & marketing, onboarding local businesses and growing the team of Certified Partners!
Behind The Scenes: My new basement studio corner for working & recording video content. Special thanks to cheap LED lighting from Amazon 😊.
As I was writing this "Our Story" blog post, I really tried think about how I can summarize the primary goals & values of CartQ, and this is what I came up with:
Goal #1: Easy To Use
• Easy to navigate. Consistent look and feel.
• The required fields are kept to a bare minimum. Important fields have a default value or suggestion so you don't have to think too hard.
• The Onboarding Guide walks through each feature, along with examples.
• The required fields are kept to a bare minimum. Important fields have a default value or suggestion so you don't have to think too hard.
• The Onboarding Guide walks through each feature, along with examples.
Goal #2: Set and Forget
• Fact: A busy local business owner doesn't want to have to log in and fiddle with things all the time.
• Wouldn't it be great if you could set up your account and things just work, without you having to touch it unless you want to make an update? This is the specific intention of CartQ.
• In addition to the typical automated offers like birthdays and anniversaries, you can set up all your yearly holiday promotions and any other cyclical special offers ahead of time using "Marketing Blasts" and they'll repeat automatically.
• Wouldn't it be great if you could set up your account and things just work, without you having to touch it unless you want to make an update? This is the specific intention of CartQ.
• In addition to the typical automated offers like birthdays and anniversaries, you can set up all your yearly holiday promotions and any other cyclical special offers ahead of time using "Marketing Blasts" and they'll repeat automatically.
Goal #3: Marketing & List-Building Focus
• In addition to increasing your sales, each feature that CartQ offers is designed to capture the customer's information so you can follow up with them later on at a very low cost via email and text.
• For example, a customer can scan a QR code to view an online menu, but CartQ optionally introduces a page in the middle of that sequence that allows the customer to sign up to receive a free gift or continue on to view the menu.
• It's possible to build a massive customer list with CartQ that would be difficult to do through other, more traditional advertising methods that don't have a lead-capture mechanism.
• For example, a customer can scan a QR code to view an online menu, but CartQ optionally introduces a page in the middle of that sequence that allows the customer to sign up to receive a free gift or continue on to view the menu.
• It's possible to build a massive customer list with CartQ that would be difficult to do through other, more traditional advertising methods that don't have a lead-capture mechanism.
Goal #4: Transparency
I went through a personal and spiritual transformation in 2021, and one outcome of that is that I am no longer stuck in the fears I've had in my past:
• Fear of public speaking
• Fear of being on camera
• Fear of personal disclosure
• Fear of rejection
So, instead of hiding behind a cloak of secrecy, I want to communicate who I am and what I do openly--who is really behind CartQ. I think it's just a better way to approach business, and it sure is a lot more fun! Would you agree? (I also love visiting other sites where I can see "behind the scenes" because it's so relatable!)
• Fear of public speaking
• Fear of being on camera
• Fear of personal disclosure
• Fear of rejection
So, instead of hiding behind a cloak of secrecy, I want to communicate who I am and what I do openly--who is really behind CartQ. I think it's just a better way to approach business, and it sure is a lot more fun! Would you agree? (I also love visiting other sites where I can see "behind the scenes" because it's so relatable!)
Off-Topic Photos
Speaking of having fun, here are some "about me" details:
I like to run long distances and got into trail running in 2022. I really just like being outside, preferably in the dry, desert heat and sun. I try to do trail races as often as I can, despite the fact that I live in the Chicago area. Anyone else like trail running and/or desert hiking?
Can you relate to anything in this post? Feel free to post your comments below! 😊
I like to run long distances and got into trail running in 2022. I really just like being outside, preferably in the dry, desert heat and sun. I try to do trail races as often as I can, despite the fact that I live in the Chicago area. Anyone else like trail running and/or desert hiking?
Can you relate to anything in this post? Feel free to post your comments below! 😊
Me with a cheesy, fake smile at the summit of Mt. Rosa during Pike's Peak Ultra, July 2024
Me after finishing Old West Trail Runs Ultra near San Diego, March 2025
Kent Thompson
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