St. Michael Man Begins Local Loyalty Program

St. Michael resident John Tschida is no stranger to loyalty programs. He's spent the last 20 years working with various airline and hotel programs. Last November he came up with an idea after seeing a sticker for Shop Saint Michael.

"What if I could create a cost effective loyalty program for business owners and also create a benefit for the local community," he said.

Tschida, who's lived in St. Michael since 1999 with his family brainstormed how the program might work with different technology being used at local businesses.

Because each business has different capabilities with their POS systems or other technology using a barcode as is used for other loyalty programs wouldn't work.

"The cost to implement a technology program in all local businesses would outweigh the benefits," he said. "We had to create a solution that ws the most cost effective for local business owners."

So Tschida came up with a code system. When customers make purchases at participating businesses they are given a slip of paper with a code on it. The code can then be entered online on the Support Rewards website and is good for points towards various gift cards. A bonus, each code also donates money to a local organization of one's choice.

Participating organizations currently include all of the St. Michael-Albertville schools, St. Michael Catholic School, FYCC and Timber Bay.

The amount of points and donation amount on each code is a business by business decision. Adding another local feature, the gift cards are for local businesses.

"We aren't asking people to do anything differently. You don't have to buy more or different items, just do the same things you do normally, only locally and be rewarded," Tschida said.

Currently, Dehmers, Verizon St. Michael and Walgreens are participating but other local businesses are expected to be on board soon.

"I've given a few codes out," St. Michael Verizon Wireless owner Wayne Berthiaume said. "I have just handed them out and told them to go to the website and let me know if they have trouble. I had one customer call and tell me how easy it was," he said.

While the program may seem to be just getting off the ground, Tschida has big plans. "I hope to have 10-15 employees by the end of 2013," he said. He recently moved his office into the and plans on having a booth at St. Michael Daze and Knights. He also plans on bringing the program beyond St. Michael-Albertville. "As more businesses come online, more consumers will too," he said.

There is no cost to consumers who simply participate by going about business as usual and receiving codes. If one chooses not to use their codes they can donate the entire code [donation and points toward gift cards] to their charity organization. There is also no cost to participating charity organizations. Business owners who choose to have their business participate pay a fee to participate that covers printing, the donation cost and the point value.

The program has launched with three St. Michael businesses so far but more are expected to launch soon as well. Stop in at one of the particpating businesses to receive a code and get started.