Susan Burke was working in social media and marketing in Grand Rapids when she heard how there were higher buy rates for online products if recommendations come from a trusted family member or friend. That got Burke thinking of creating a new startup around this idea.
"Why don't we empower employees of a company to be brand advocates?" Burke says.
That's the idea behind
Social2Step. The 6-month-old startup helps companies empower employees to become ambassadors for their products online. The hope is that more sales makes a healthier business and in turn makes the jobs of the employees advocating for the products and services more secure.
"The whole idea is to keep the company successful with this platform by keeping the employees engaged," Burke says.
Burke launched the company and was accepted into the spring class of
Bizdom, a downtown Detroit-based startup accelerator and incubator. It is now based in Bizdom's new home, 1528 Woodward, with Burke splitting time between her Grand Rapids home and an apartment in downtown Detroit.
Social2Step's software platform is available both online and as a mobile app. It enables employees to advocate for their company's products through social media channels. Social2Step charges a monthly fee and start-up costs to its customers. Social2Step is in the final stages of prepping for the launch of its commercial version and aims to have 30 to 50 clients and more than $1 million in revenue within the next year.
Social2Step currently has a staff of two employees and three interns. Burke hopes to be at a staff of 15-20 people within the next year.
Source: Susan Burke, founder & CEO of Social2Step
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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