Pass the Kool-aid please! I’ve received yet another e-mail from Vince Martin, Founder & CEO of BigCrumbs and MainStreetSHARES. Well, I’m glad it’s all crystal clear for Vince….
Pass the Koolaid!
Hello Kat,
It’s been a strange couple of months and we apologize for our extended absence. As we worked on our return, we began to realize that the significant effort we were undertaking to simply bring BigCrumbs back in its previous form didn’t make a lot of sense.As the founder of BigCrumbs, I was suddenly faced with a very difficult decision. But, at the moment I made the choice everything immediately became crystal clear: the newly chosen path was absolutely the right one. No doubt. Zero.
So, after nearly a decade in business, BigCrumbs is permanently closed.
But, The Story Doesn’t End There
BigCrumbs has been successful by most measures, but we’ve never wanted to just offer you cash back or a coupon. Instead, we’ve always been passionately interested in helping our members to claim a share of the tremendous wealth that they create for others every day. Cash back was just a means to that end.
And, while BigCrumbs had gotten us off to a good start, it finally became clear to me that it wouldn’t get us to our destination. It was time to let go. It was time for something new.
So, with that in mind, the mission continues in a very big way. I am honored to introduce to you, the next phase, that will fulfill the vision and get us all across the finish line together: MainStreetSHARES.
Beyond Cash BackMainStreetSHARES is not about the old cash back. It’s about you sharing all company revenue streams, continued referral commissions, and our members earning a cash payout in the event that we’re acquired. In other words, it’s not just about saving a dollar here and there. It’s about investing in yourself, claiming your own value, and finally getting your piece of the total pie.
The concept is simple: each member multiplies the value of other members, then everyone shares in that multiplied value. You’ve made many other companies tremendously valuable through this same multiple effect. This time, you’ll share in what you help to create. This is the path to having more.
We can’t begin to express to you how much we’ve appreciated you as a BigCrumbs member and how much we’d love for you to continue this exciting mission with us through MainStreetSHARES. Your BigCrumbs account has been transferred to MainStreetSHARES and awaits your activation via simply resetting your password!
But, we encourage you to check out the BigCrumbs site first. You’ll find more info and a few “Getting Started” steps to help you make the transition. From there you can click through to MainStreetSHARES and be on your way to a new world!
In celebration of our launch, we are setting aside an additional 10% acquisition payout bonus. Only those members who earn msSHARES in the next few months will share this bonus in the event of an acquisition.
A Closing Thought – Overcoming Objections
There will be objections to what we’re doing. In part, people don’t like change, and we understand that. It wasn’t easy for us either, at first. Some will feel that they’ve “lost” something or even be angered that we’ve had the audacity to do something bold. Frankly, it turns everything upside down–that is, in your favor.
Still others will say that it’s too complicated or that complexity isn’t your friend. It’s true that it’s not simple cash back, but it’s certainly easy enough to understand when taken with a dose of open-mindedness. In fact, the most important thing is to completely forget about the old cash back model and not try to relate it back to BigCrumbs.
We have a special section on the BigCrumbs site dedicated to some of these objections. We hope to impart clarity to those who just need a little nudge. But, we also realize that some won’t get it or even want to get it. Not everyone will make this transition and those who don’t will be earnestly missed.
But, the vision requires that we turn this corner, and for those who are able to see it clearly and reach for more, we know that we have created something far more rewarding and game-changing for you. We look forward to seeing you on the other side.
Respectfully,
Vince Martin
Founder & CEO
BigCrumbs.com and MainStreetSHARES
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Thanks For the update. Although I’m a member I never received any of these email notifications.
It would’ve been nice if there was a follow-up email today from Vince saying “April Fools!”
Hello Kat!
Vince, from MainStreetSHARES, here (a.k.a.The Kool-Aid Man). I don’t typically comment on blog posts, but since MainStreetSHARES is so new that your post currently appears on the first page of Google’s search results for us (congratulations), well, how could I resist?! So, I’ll just add a little something to the “conversation”.
Kat, I actually think it’s amazing that other companies can convince people to accept (and even demand) a simple rebate that is actually a small fraction of what THEY derive from YOUR total value (i.e. additional commissions, *your* data, *your* eyeballs, etc.).
So, I’m not sure it’s a matter of *whether* you’re drinking Kool-Aid, but a question of which flavor you prefer! I believe that, with just a little math, I can objectively say that our flavor is better than even Purplesaurus Rex. OK, that may be an overstatement. Nothing is better than Purplesaurus Rex. But, it’s at least as good.
Regarding complexity, when people are able to get past the idea that they only deserve a little cash back, it’s really simple: we’re giving our members a share of our TOTAL company revenue, based on how much they spend each month. The percentage they earn is equivalent to their percentage of total member spending, which we show them on the site. Easy.
Of course, we’re also giving them msSHARES as mentioned above. It’s all really basic math (i.e. just simple percentages) that anyone can get, and I’m sure we’ll continue to refine the explanation to ensure that simplicity is obvious. Still, it’s a new concept and we’re giving people a lot, so we’re pretty sure there will be some who don’t get it (or want to get it) at first. We call them “late-adopters”!
Interesting side note: when we launched BigCrumbs, there were some who complained about complexity (and miscellaneous other things). We then proceeded to turn it into a multi-million dollar company that earned the business of even (or especially) the most discerning individuals (thanks for your membership, BTW).
Well, Kat, thanks for giving me a little (more) space on your blog! Unfortunately, I have a few more brick walls to burst through, so I won’t be able to continue the conversation here. But, if you have any specific questions or comments, or just want to say hello, we’d absolutely love to hear from you! You can reach us directly via the Help link at the top of our site.
In fact, our favorite meal consists of a healthy plate of constructive feedback which, of course, we wash down with a tall glass of ice-cold, well…you know.
Kindest Regards,
Vince Martin
Founder, MainStreetSHARES
Makes me wonder if there was even a so called “hack” at bigcrumbs, And really a company trying to look out for the little people with there “if we are brought out” This shady stuff has moved me straight to ebates.
pretty crumby!