This article is sponsored by Twocents.

Montclair-based platform and app, Twocents, is reshaping how customer feedback is shared. Created by local entrepreneurs Tom Strollo and Drew Weaver, Twocents provides a simple new way for customers to privately share their thoughts directly with local businesses — helping them improve and grow. Twocents has kicked off partnerships with some local Montclair favorites like Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, which is already reaping the benefits. Read on to learn more about Twocents and how this Montclair-founded platform is impacting local businesses for the better.

About Twocents

The team at Twocents understands that public review platforms such as Yelp or Google can often turn from praise to punishment, with rage bait and scathing reviews designed for chasing public visibility. The truth is, these platforms affect small businesses dramatically (whether it be positively or negatively). While constructive criticism is helpful, Twocents believes it's important for businesses to have a safe, private space for useful, honest tips from their customers. 

Twocents is changing the customer feedback game by opening authentic conversations between businesses and customers directly, creating space to thrive, improve, and shape the places we know and love (for the better). In the world of Twocents, feedback doesn’t damage reputations, it drives growth. Bringing humanity back to the customer review experience, one step at a time. Twocents is already working closely with local Montclair favorites to begin helping restaurants from within.

Twocents x Marcel Bakery + Kitchen

One of Twocents’ latest partners is Montclair eatery, Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, located at 631 ½ Valley Road. Marcel is one of many local businesses that have started to experience the positive impacts of incorporating the Twocents platform into their lives. The Mediterranean spot partnered with Twocents in hopes of fine-tuning its hosting, service, and delivery. 

Daniel, the owner, has been running the show since 2017 and wanted answers to the questions he wouldn't necessarily ask customers directly. Feedback, he acknowledged, is an integral part of keeping a restaurant afloat, especially with the abundance of choices in the Montclair area. Daniel shared with MG that the best business advice he’s ever received for his restaurant is “Stay true to your core belief of what's good and bad for the people you serve.” By working with Twocents, he can do exactly that. 

Daniel also shared that he has already received tons of feedback through Twocents, noting that customer kindness has been a happy stand-out. “I think Twocents is doing something beautiful that really didn't exist so much before,” Daniel told MG, adding that when customers can give direct feedback to owners and managers anonymously, an open, authentic forum is created between the two.“Something different happens when they think it's just from me to you,” he shared. “It's not meant to be seen with the world. It's not meant to be advertising anything, it's genuine feedback. People have been really sweet and great."

Using Twocents

To get started, users can simply visit the Twocents website, enter their phone number, and create an account using their email. For those looking for a more mobile-friendly option, the Twocents app is also available with the same sign-up process. 

Once you’re in, you can send private comments and feedback directly to any business in Montclair by selecting the category of feedback (quality, service, atmosphere, etc.) and rating your experience on a 0%-100% scale. All users have the choice to remain anonymous. 

When users share feedback with businesses, they also rack up reward points, which can be redeemed for discounts as they accumulate. Our team tested the platform ourselves by submitting two reviews and earned 500 reward points instantly. User participation also automatically enters you into a monthly sweepstakes where, each month, one user will receive a free dinner up to $500 at their favorite Montclair restaurant. 

Gift cards ranging between $25 and $100 are also awarded to eligible users through monthly giveaways at numerous locations, including Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, Minias, Boschetto, Ani Ramen, Turtle & the Wolf, Paper Plane Coffee Co., and dozens more.

For now, Twocents is exclusive to Montclair — but the team plans to cover all of New Jersey by this summer. NYC will be next, before the platform goes nationwide. 

Twocents is currently available for use in the Montclair area before expanding nationwide. To sign up for free, click here.