Zaarly Storefronts Launch in NYC: Virtual Storefronts Create a New Online Marketplace for Talented, Local Sellers & Service Providers
NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- How do local chefs/bakers, fitness instructors, event planners or home repairmen find their customers? Typically, it's one at a time through word-of-mouth referrals. But, that's too inefficient and slow for people looking to make a living doing what they love. Launching in New York City, Zaarly Storefronts aims to solve that problem by creating a local, online marketplace where you discover and buy from local service providers.
"A million people make their living selling on eBay each year. Etsy created a worldwide market for handmade goods. Likewise, our goal with Zaarly Storefronts is to create a marketplace to showcase talented, skilled individuals and small business owners who are available for hire," said Bo Fishback, Zaarly CEO and founder.
Since initially launching more than a year ago, Zaarly has helped people connect with talented sellers in their local communities -- a process that has uncovered an amazing network of service providers. Now, Zaarly is rolling out Zaarly Storefronts to showcase these service providers and help them grow their businesses. Creating a new way for people to make money doing what they love, Storefronts mark the first time individuals can proactively list and sell their skills and services on Zaarly.
Whether a buyer is looking for a chef, yoga instructor, handyman or party planner, they can trust that Zaarly will help them discover, hire and work with talented, reliable, trustworthy local sellers and service providers. For example:
- Growing up in her mother's bread bakery in the Caribbean, Alysia knows baking is a family affair. Now, the mother-daughter team creates edible masterpieces from their Brooklyn-based bakery, Con Amore -- each featuring recipes that were passed down through generations. Zaarly is helping Alysia introduce her family's handcrafted wedding cakes, cupcakes and pastries to New York City.
- Spending 40+ hours a week at their Wall Street jobs analyzing financial data, creating PowerPoints and fighting with spreadsheets, Austin and Moh needed a creative outlet. The answer? Partnering with their friend Jojo to launch "Le Petit Monster," a line of home furnishings created entirely from salvaged wine crates and industrial hardware … and a little elbow grease. The trio now spends their weekends hunting for materials and building custom pieces on the roof of their apartment.
- When they're not working (she as a midwife, he as a graphic designer), or chasing around their one-year-old daughter, Cameron and Diana love DIY crafts and hosting parties. Through Zaarly, "Cam and Di" are introducing their party planning services – everything from designing stationery and hand-made party accessories ... to producing entire events. Even better, they get to spend time together doing something they both enjoy.
Check out http://www.zaarly.com to discover more amazing sellers and service providers.
Zaarly Storefronts: Make Money Doing What You Love
Skilled individuals can apply to be featured in Zaarly's seller network. After carefully considering each application, Zaarly chooses the best-of-the-best to highlight on the site. Storefronts are currently available in San Francisco and New York City, with plans to roll out in Los Angeles and additional markets in the coming weeks. People interested in creating a Storefront can learn more here: http://www.zaarly.com/selling.
In addition, buyers can still ask for anything from tens of thousands of local, talented people in Zaarly's open marketplace or by using the Zaarly Anywhere buttons on sites such as The Fancy, LA Times, Cookstr and more.
Since launching in May 2011, nearly half-a-million people have signed up for Zaarly. In October 2011, Zaarly announced that it had added Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay and current CEO of HP, to its board of directors.
About Zaarly:
Zaarly is a leading online marketplace to discover, hire and work with talented sellers and service providers in your neighborhood. Based in San Francisco, CA, Zaarly is backed by investors, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Sands Capital Ventures, Ashton Kutcher, Felicis Ventures, Bill Lee, Naval Ravikant, Lightbank, SV Angel, Paul Buchheit, Thrive Capital, Marc Ecko and Michael Arrington. Zaarly is currently available on the web, mobile web, Android and iPhone application. Visit www.zaarly.com for more information.
SOURCE Zaarly Storefronts
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