A Different Kind of Start Up-Valoramas

Posted by Jeff Carter
on May 12th, 2012

Old traders never die, they evolve. People fail to realize that traders are pretty entrepreneurial people. A lot of traders in Chicago are leaving the trading floor, and running into a brick wall on the screen. Instead of mourning, they need to re-direct their analytical and entrepreneurial energy. Paul Richards did that. He was in the ten year pit for years at the old CBOT. Now he runs a company, Valoramas.

A lot of entrepreneurs are beginning to focus on the Latino community. It’s a big market and so far, most efforts haven’t been wildly successful.

Valoramás targets the large, rapidly growing, and underserved Latino consumer market. This new venture brings, incorporates, combines and enhances particular aspects of standard business models to build a trusted online rewards program, promote regular engagement, efficiently acquire and retain members, and drive enterprise value. Membership is up 1300% since they started their last push.

Valoramás rewards members while engaging, inspiring and making a difference in their lives. Members are able to purchase more than 9 million products from almost 2,000 national and regional online retailers, access exclusive deals, earn significant cash back on every purchase, and come together to help improve the quality of life for the Latino community. Valoramás was recently featured as a fresh start-up in the Crain’s Chicago Business blog for local entrepreneurs.

In addition, members will be able to enjoy additional functionality and features such as exclusive content through online chats with notable Latino leaders, blogs, videos, tutorials, and social feeds.

In late April 2012, Valoramás launched its first major community-driven marketing initiative. As part of its community-driven marketing initiative, Valoramás will award a total of $150,000 to 16 Latino-serving community organizations in Chicago and Houston. The grants will be allocated among 16 organizations based on the results of an online vote by Valoramás members.

You can support it by becoming a member and voting for one of the 16 organizations. The company will waive its $25 annual membership fee to allow members to vote. Voting will take place from April 27th – May 20th. Join by using the promotional code “FOUNDERS2012″.

The crazy world of entrepreneurship figures out all kinds of unique ways to fill all sorts of niches. Maybe Valoramas has figured out a way.

The information in this blog post represents my own opinions and does not contain a recommendation for any particular security or investment. I or my affiliates may hold positions or other interests in securities mentioned in the Blog, please see my Disclaimer page for my full disclaimer.