Extended Info
- Created & launched Crisp! Mobile Grocery, the first subsidiary Low-Profit Limited Liability Corporation (L3C) of Catholic Charities
- Developed and managed the operational and marketing plan; including raising the start-up capital and the ongoing program management
- Worked closely with high-level partners in Human Resources, Communications, Accounting and the Board of Directors to ensure the program’s success
- Managed 16 employees across multiple disciplines
- Inventory and Supply Chain Management, including logistics, purchasing, contracts and building strategic partnerships
- Direct sales and customer relationship management database implementation
- Designed Website through Shopify and Website data tracking via Google Analytics
- Worked with our bank to develop a payment processing system across web, mobile and in-person sales
- Implemented Health & Wellness educational initiatives by capitalizing on industry trends like creating affordable recipe packages and sourcing goods from local producers
- Revenue and pricing strategy, including our Everyday Low Price (EDLP) Strategy
- Developed and submitted grant proposals which totaled more than $1.2m in funding by the end of my tenure
- Provided business and social enterprise advisory services as an internal partner to the organization
- Public speaking engagements, editing press releases and creating events with partners that gathered media attention
Project Description
Crisp! Mobile Grocery was the first food delivery service to accept food stamps, or SNAP, in Chicago. It was the second delivery service in the nation to be able to reach the hearts and minds of those who didn’t have access to fresh and healthy food.
Every Bit of My Heart Was Involved in Crisp!
Crisp! Mobile Grocery was a startup social enterprise founded in 2013 on the basis that everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food. Started by a $100,000 grant from the USDA, Crisp! was a 3 million dollar a year revenue generator by its third year in business. Crisp! was one of the first L3C’s (Low-profit limited liability company) in Illinois. Crisp! had a double bottom line of people and profit, so under the law around L3C’s, we were able to accept grants to help subsidize our mission. We acquired financial support from the American Heart Association, Catholic Charities, and local restaurants.
It was the second mobile grocer in the nation to be able to accept food stamps, or SNAP, and the first in Chicago. The concept came as a solution to “food deserts” in the City of Chicago and the effects access had on the health of low-income residents. Crisp! allowed customers to order over 1,000 food products through web or mobile and orders were typically delivered in two days.
The innovation and mission of Crisp! won multiple awards, including a startup contest from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Social Enterprise Alliance, and the Chicago Innovation Awards.
