Empowering Together: PRYZE and Econo Supermarkets’ Collaborative Approach
Sometimes, relationships prosper from unexpected places. A simple piece of advice or offering a helping hand can lay the foundation for a meaningful connection. That, atleast, is how everything started for pre18 Gen. 3 and P18 Gen. 9 alumni PRYZE and the Puerto Rican Econo Supermarkets.
PRYZE is a platform designed to help businesses with hourly employees enhance productivity, revenue, retention, and employee satisfaction by offering rewards. One of its unique features encourages employees to stay off their cell phones during work hours in a positive way by providing them with free incentives.
Initial meetings began all the way back in January, when the parallel18 Connect Team introduced PRYZE’s co-founder Natalia Micheletti to the Econo executive team. Natalia mentioned, “What I liked the most was that they set up the conversation with the intention of offering helpful advice rather than focusing just on sales.” Although she thought that PRYZE wasn’t exactly what they had initially set out to find, she was eager to support their team with her industry expertise. If they could help each other, great; if not, from Boricua to Boricua, she wanted to make an effort to share her knowledge and improve things for both of them.
Thinking nothing of it, Natalia left the meeting with the impression that no deal was likely to occur. To her surprise, that first session opened the door for more calls and emails with feedback and adjustments. They had to alter and adapt some parts of their technology to meet the client’s needs, which allowed them to leverage their network of partners for additional support. This approach ultimately provided the exact solution required for the client’s supermarkets and customers. What initially seemed like an unlikely partnership, over the course of seven months, transformed PRYZE into the perfect product the client needed.
She highlighted the importance of creating interpersonal connections and always maintaining communication. Natalia asserted, “Having parallel18 by our side helped us be more confident, and the client was able to see we had this network of support with us. Seeing that we were affiliated with parallel18 allowed them to recognize our value.” The synergy they created fostered trust and open-mindedness, leading to an environment where suggestions were welcomed and modifications could be made. The constant involvement of the parallel18 team, with their follow-ups and updates, helped them stay grounded and focused.
PRYZE experienced significant growth after participating in both of our pre18 and P18 programs. One of the standout aspects of their journey has been the ability to connect globally. Initially, they joined parallel18 with established technology but without a customer base. Throughout the programs, the regular reporting required by parallel18 was crucial in helping them stay focused on their goals. As a result, they emerged from both programs with an increase in new clients.
This deal is just the first step for PRYZE. During this time, they plan to hire employees in Puerto Rico to service their Econo account and expand their operations.
This development not only opens new doors with existing and potential clients but also signifies a major advancement as they venture into a new industry. It highlights their ongoing growth across different verticals and reinforces their commitment to strengthening their presence in Puerto Rico.
