How Trellus Makes Same- Day Local Delivery a Force for Good A Conversation with Trellus’ Julie Montgomery
MLM: What is your role with Trellus?
JM: As a sales associate for Trellus, my job is to reach out to local businesses and help them understand how the marketplace makes it easy to increase their revenue and gain new customers. I explain the benefits, answer their questions, and help them create an account.
I then connect them to our amazing onboarding team. From there, the merchants are guided through the process of creating their storefronts and uploading their products.
I see my role as a trusted advisor to the merchants, and I’m here for them even after they’ve moved along in the process. Trellus’ headquarters are in New York, so it’s helpful to have someone they can rely on and contact directly here in Sonoma County.
As a former small business owner (I owned Kindred Fair Trade in downtown Santa Rosa until it closed in 2022 after an unsuccessful recovery from the pandemic), I know first-hand how difficult it is to have a small business in this economic climate. I wish Trellus was around when I had my business. It was painful for me to close Kindred, but now I’m invigorated to help others stay in business—not just survive but thrive.
MLM: Can you give us a brief description of how the service works?
JM: Locally owned businesses (those that sell a physical product) sell their products on our marketplace website. Think Amazon: a variety of businesses all on one platform. Trellus is like that, but only independently owned Sonoma County businesses can be on the marketplace—and we deliver the same day.
Locals and visitors alike can purchase those products on Trellus. When an order is placed, the merchant receives an email or text. The merchant packages the order, and our drivers come pick it up from the store and deliver it the same day. It’s super easy and manageable for busy shop owners.
It’s also very easy and convenient for shoppers. Trellus is available on a web browser and has a dedicated app on both iOS and Android. In just a few clicks, orders can be placed and they will be delivered the same day. Customers receive text messages along the way and can contact the driver directly should they need to.
Our drivers are well-trained, professional and fully vetted. They give white glove service and take photos of each delivery to ensure accuracy.
In addition to our marketplace, Trellus offers regional delivery for wineries, farms, ranches, and food banks of 10-50 lb packages at 25-40% less than UPS/FedEx ground delivery. Our vast driver network is helping those struggling industries be more profitable.
MLM: What exactly can we order with Trellus?
JM: On Trellus, we sell all kinds of things: flowers; home décor; wine, beer and spirits; clothing and jewelry; sporting equipment; pet food and supplies; toys and games; beauty products; health-related products—any physical product.
The items that we do not sell or deliver are hot food and cannabis. Although we do not deliver hot food, we do deliver baked goods, sweets, and artisan foods like meat, sauces and spices.
MLM: Trellus is just a few months old in Sonoma County. Starting something like this is a big deal. How’s it going so far?
JM: We had a really great holiday season with our merchants getting a good number of orders. We have over 60 locally owned businesses on the marketplace and we are adding more each week. It will take some time to grow awareness about Trellus in the community and to establish a track record that will encourage other businesses to join. Some businesses see the value and sign up right away. Others are more comfortable seeing how things go for others first.
Everyone whom I talk to about Trellus loves the idea of being able to shop locally all in one place. Our goal is to spread the word far and wide. It will take some time, but eventually everyone will know and use Trellus first, before turning to mega corporations and big box stores.
MLM: Where else is Trellus operating? Is this the first market for this service?
JM: Trellus began on Long Island, New York. After success there, they looked for a second market—and they chose Sonoma County. This is due in large part to the partnership with the Sonoma County GO LOCAL Cooperative, as well as our county’s population size, income levels, diversity of local businesses, renowned tourism and proximity to the Bay Area. Eventually, Trellus will move into Marin and continue south into San Francisco.
MLM: What are merchants saying about Trellus?
JM: Tracy Mattson, Owner of COOKIE…take a bite!, says, “Trellus is a game changer for local, independent businesses!
We are so excited to be a part of the Trellus Marketplace. We love that it makes it easy for local residents to support independent businesses like ours! With Trellus we stand out and are not buried by corporate marketing budgets. Trellus has become our #1 delivery partner!”
MLM: How can we find out more about Trellus?
JM: To learn more about Trellus as a company, go to by.trellus.com. This is where businesses interested in joining the marketplace can learn more. To shop on Trellus, go to bytrellus.com. Enter in your physical address and all the shops in Sonoma County will appear. There you’ll see our beautiful, inviting and easy-to-use marketplace. It’s a taste of Sonoma County all in one place.
411
Trellus