This article is sponsored by Twocents.

Customer feedback is the backbone of small businesses. Recently, two Montclair locals, Tom Strollo and Drew Weaver, created Twocents, a platform reshaping the way customer feedback is shared. Twocents is a simple new way for customers to privately share their thoughts directly with local businesses, helping them improve and grow for the better. Twocents has already kicked off partnerships with some local Montclair favorites, like Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, and now we’re back to show you another behind-the-scenes peek at Twocents’ impact on another local New Jersey staple: Minias. Read on to learn more about Twocents and how this Montclair-founded platform is helping local businesses thrive.

About Twocents

Twocents understands that public review platforms such as Yelp or Google can sometimes turn from praise to punishment, with rage bait and scathing reviews designed to garner public visibility. The truth is, whether it’s positive or negative feedback, these platforms have a dramatic impact on small businesses. While constructive criticism can be helpful, Twocents believes that 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 directly between businesses and customers. Ultimately, this will help businesses create space to improve and shape the places we know and love (for the better). At Twocents, feedback doesn’t damage reputations, it drives growth by bringing humanity back to the customer review experience, one step at a time. Currently, Twocents is working closely with local Montclair favorites to begin helping restaurants from within.

Twocents’ x Minias

One of Twocents' local partners is Minias, a beloved neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot with locations in both Montclair (22 Lackawanna Plaza) and Bloomfield (419 Bloomfield Avenue). Best known for its fresh Latin American fusions, Minias has become a go-to for North Jersey locals to find the best homemade, nourishing comfort food, such as smoothies, wraps, and breakfast sandwiches. With a fiercely loyal customer base that has been built up for over a decade, Minias decided to partner with Twocents to continue satisfying regulars and impressing newcomers, one homemade dish at a time. At Minias, it’s all about the people.

Owners Lorena and Mariel went into business 14 years ago with inspiration drawn from their Uruguayan and Dominican roots. For Lorena and Mariel, commitment to consistency is everything because their regulars are like family, making feedback is vital to the inner workings of their business. The two told MG that’s exactly what led them to Twocents in the first place. Lorena said she had wished for a platform like this, mentioning how if customers had a bad experience and left a public review, they wouldn't have a chance to make it right, expressing the need for a more private form of feedback. “It’s good to have communication directly to the customer, and with Twocents, we have that,” Mariel added. Minias' use of Twocents has allowed the restaurant to not only celebrate its success but simultaneously make adjustments to aid any critical feedback.

With Twocents, the Minias team has been able to keep a close eye on what’s working within their business. “People tell us what they love and what we can do better, and we listen,” Mariel said. “I think Twocents is really going to help us grow”. Twocents helps Minias stay true to their belief in taking care of people through food by maintaining the consistency locals have grown to know and love.

Using Twocents

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

After signing up, users can send private comments and feedback directly to any business in Montclair by selecting the category of feedback (quality, service, atmosphere, etc.) and rating their experience on a 0%-100% scale. Plus, all users have the choice to remain anonymous.

When customers share feedback with businesses, they also rack up reward points, which can be redeemed for gift card giveaways and other rewards in the future. Team MG tested the platform ourselves by submitting two reviews and earned 500 reward points instantly. User participation also automatically enters individuals into monthly sweepstakes where one user will receive a free dinner up to $500 at their favorite participating Montclair restaurant.

Eligible users also have the chance to win gift cards ranging between $25 and $100 through monthly giveaways at numerous locations, including Minias, Marcel Bakery + Kitchen, 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 later 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.