Recently launched Sacramento startup MamaAlwaysSays is a positive alternative to Yelp.
This family-founded startup is comprised of: mom Deanna Stevenson, a charter high school counselor; son Stacy Santos, who works for a restaurant; Hellon, who works in web design and development as well as real estate; and Hellon's wife, Taneisha Hellon, who works in real estate.
MamaAlwaysSays.com focuses only on constructive reviews in order to help users find "the best of the best": the most reviewed, most reviewed, and top-rated.
Intro video after the break.
An example review from their site has advice for getting businesses noticed:
"If you want your favorite business to get noticed all you have to do is write a positive
review with the highest ranking and spread the word by sharing your review with your
network of friends, social networks and family members. You are only able to write
one review for each business. Should your experience change, you can go
back and edit your review."
They've invested $20,000 in the business so far. Now that MamaAlwaysSays.com has launched, they plan to invest more in localized advertising - primarily online through ad networks, Facebook and Google AdWords. They also plan to hold local events and seminars to educate small businesses about managing online reputations.
The family, Hellion said, is "passionate about creating a site that is a "win-win" for both consumers and small business owners."