Shelby here...

...Bringing my first blog post to the Soom Sisters blogspot.  

My posts will be predominately focused on the operations and strategy of Soom Foods, so let's discuss the first strategic decision of Soom Foods: setting up shop in Philadelphia...

...Wednesday night I came up with a tag-line for Soom Foods' distribution:

"Delivered with Sisterly Love, from the City of Brotherly Love."  

The inspiration hit me at an Alma Links meeting with Cary Borish, owner of Marathon Grill, who focused much of his conversation on the growth of Philadelphia and the artisan business community.

It was a fascinating talk that explored the importance of social responsibility, food systems, and the "local" movement; he was preaching to the choir when he encouraged the participants to pursue meaningful, inspiring work. 

But what stood out was an issue I have been critically thinking about lately: doing business in Philadelphia.  

As a company we are dedicated to Philadelphia.  I started school here in 2003 and have lived in Philadelphia since (except for a 14 month hiatus in Israel).  I made it my personal mission to counter the "brain drain" and took a job with an economic development organization, Ben Franklin Technology Partners whose goal is to increase jobs and revenue for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  I believe strongly that Philadelphia is an incredible City with a fabulous work-life balance and a down-to-earth yet freakish way about it (to quote Cary Borish...)  Philadelphia also LOVES food and prides itself on its restaurant scene and local artisan food businesses. 

Further, we are networked into the Business Community in Philadelphia - Philadelphia Startup Leaders, IndyHall and Philly Tech Meet-ups.  We have had meetings with SELECT Greater Philadelphia and the American Israel Chamber of Commerce, established food business and import professionals, accounting and legal service providers and not to mention the Small Business Development Centers and University entrepreneurship programs.  Nothing seems inaccessible in this town. 

Just a few weeks ago I shared a blog post about how Philadelphia is emerging as an amazing start-up community with Jackie and Amy.

We understand the landscape of the City, and have met many people and organizations that will support our development.  I recently read an article about working from home (Want Your Startup to Succeed? Stay Home

http://www.readwriteweb.com/start/2012/08/want-your-startup-to-succeed-stay-home.php) that discussed the correlation of business success with founders' connection to the City.  Following Amy's last blog post about working from home, it seems like we are making the right decision to develop our business in Philadelphia.  

Philadelphia provides Soom Foods with direct access to a port, food storage space and food distribution facilities in South Philadelphia; tax incentives to set up manufacturing in certain zones, and the Enterprise Center Culinary Enterprise Division to demystify the regulation and restrictions of food production.  

Time will tell if we've made the right decision.  Philadelphia taxes are scary and historically prohibitive.  But we're a company predicated on a strong values system, and supporting the business ecosystem of Philadelphia is high on that priorities list.  Let's just hope that Mayor Nutter uses Soom Foods tax dollars to fix the pothole around the corner from our office.  Or maybe he'll read this blog post and extend a friendly tax exemption... 

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What do you think of our packaging idea, "Delivered with Sister Love, from the City of Brother Love"? 

Please take our survey on the left banner of our blog.  It'll be up for a couple weeks, so if you get a chance, please share with family and friends!