Two Former Groupon Execs Launch Monthly Subscription Service for Foodies
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 29, 2013 -- Two former Groupon executives have launched Yankee Hollow, http://www.yankeehollow.com. The service sends curated boxes of US-made artisanal cheese to subscribers each month. After a soft launch in July, Yankee Hollow’s first boxes shipped mid-August featuring cheese from the award winning Chalet Cheese Co-op in Monroe, WI.
The company’s next selections include a recent award winner from the American Cheese Society Awards. In addition to curating subscribers’ cheese, Yankee Hollow works with beer aficionados, food bloggers, and wine experts to create custom beverage pairings and recipes. In the farm-to-table tradition, Yankee Hollow strives to create and foster a relationship between their customers, the cheesemakers and the cheese itself by including information on where and how the cheese is made.
Founders Kristi Klemm and RJ Yozwiak met in 2011 while working at Groupon in Chicago. Both left the daily deal giant in 2012 to pursue independent entrepreneurial endeavors. Yozwiak, a former sales leader for the Washington DC market, currently oversees operations and logistics for Isolate It! and RX Sorbo. Klemm, who had been at Groupon since 2009, left her role as Head of Merchant Marketing to provide marketing consulting services for startups and tech companies.
Klemm grew up on a dairy farm in Monroe, WI. In 2012, while sitting in her West Loop apartment, she came across an article featuring Master Cheesemaker Myron Olson of the Chalet Cheese Co-op and realized how few people know where to turn to discover standout, US-made artisanal cheeses. Research confirmed there really wasn’t much offered in terms of discovery or subscription services for lovers of cheese, especially at a price point that truly encouraged exploration. She decided to start Yankee Hollow for two reasons: to promote varieties of artisanal cheeses on behalf of highly skilled cheesemakers, and to ensure that people across the country can enjoy and learn about expertly handcrafted cheese. After partnering with Yozwiak for operations and website development, Klemm, named the company as an homage to her great-great grandfather’s Limburger cheese plant—which was located in southern Wisconsin in the 1800’s and called, of course, Yankee Hollow.
Klemm and Yozwiak believe in the potential of curated artisinal cheese delivery. "Every time we tell someone about the new company, we hear how much people love the idea. Everyone loves, or knows someone who loves, cheese. We’re really excited to share the stories of great American artisans, and eat some amazing cheese while we’re at it," Klemm says. An infographic timeline of key moments in cheese history—with the launch of Yankee Hollow being the latest entry—offers $5 off the first month’s subscription to new users, and can be found here. The code to save is HEARTCHEESE, and can be used on gifts or monthly subscriptions.
Kristi Klemm, Yankee Hollow, http://www.yankeehollow.com, +1 (608) 770-3228, [email protected]
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