There’s a new app in town, and it was founded by two veterans of the e-commerce world, Lizzy Brockhoff and Elizabeth Shaffer, and the app is called MASSE. When we first met, the day of their launch, I was astounded by what they’d created. It was literally Mama & Tata in an app, and it was genius. Essentially, they sought out to create a resource for women, particularly mothers, where there was shared, tried and true, reliable information on products. They wanted to create a space for friends and colleagues to share their experience with products, in order to easily find the best options. Just like me, they are about sharing information that is free, meaning no paid advertising or dishonest sponsored information. Simply a way to easily go back to friends and family for some good advice regarding what’s on the market. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of these women, as their app becomes a big success.
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Less than a year, since April 2018!
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
We have worked together as product managers in ecommerce for many years, and noticed that consumers were increasingly overwhelmed with the amount of options out there. We also saw that they were increasingly skeptical of the rise of paid-for and sponsored recommendations, and that they were turning back to their friends & family for advice. This became very real for us when we both became moms one day apart, and had to put together our baby registries. We thought that there had to be an easier way for friends to access each other’s expertise.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
We have a zero-tolerance policy for any paid for or sponsored content. All the recommendations on MASSE are unpaid and from real users.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
I think you have to stay true to yourself. It’s important to have fewer more meaningful relationships, than to try to be everywhere and know everyone.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
Our goal is to make it easier for users to find the right product for them, by cutting through the clutter and noise. We also want to make sure our users feel celebrated and acknowledged for helping their friends.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with our amazing team, and seeing real people adopt and use MASSE to make their lives easier.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia street is a favorite under the radar spot.
How do you benefit mamas?
Our goal is to make it easier for moms to find the right products for their kids, by uncovering the knowledge within their network. When we enter motherhood, we often feel very alone, but the truth is so many people have done it before, and have so much wisdom to share. We want to facilitate that.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
Make it simple to use.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
There are so many Jet alumni working on interesting things. Lauren Picasso and Lauren McDevitt are both working on awesome startups.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
It’s important to listen more than you speak.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I like to wake up early and have a little time to myself before the day begins. It’s not necessarily time-saving, but it helps me focus and prioritize before the day begins.