Do Two Former Google Employees Really Deserve Such Bad Press?
- Richard Shapiro
- Dec 17, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 3

Paul McDonald and Ashwath Rajan drew widespread scorn this week after their company, Bodega, was profiled by FastCompany in an article entitled “Two Ex-Googlers Want To Make Bodegas And Mom-And-Pop Corner Stores Obsolete.” Twitter was calling them “the most-hated new start-up.” That’s not good publicity for any company or organization, novel or well-established.
I’m a strong advocate of Mom-and-Pop Stores, but I feel the outrage is overblown. Every business has competition. Where was the uproar when Uber practically put the taxicab industry out of business or Amazon threw independent booksellers into bankruptcy? Any company, store, or organization that doesn’t have competition today, will have a competitor tomorrow. The goal of all business entities, large or small, is to develop customer retention strategies to secure their base so that customers aren’t enticed to leave. And Mom-and-Pop Stores, by their very nature, can differentiate themselves by creating and building stronger human relationships.
Calling their company Bodega might have not been the best choice or what McDonald and Rajan learned in Marketing 101. According to Miriam Webster, a bodega is, “usually a small grocery store in an urban area specifically specializing in Hispanic groceries.” According to what I read, their company has universal appeal and will not put Mom-and-Pop Stores out of business. Their new product sets up a five-foot-wide pantry box filled with non-perishable items you might find in a convenience store. An app will allow you to unlock the box and cameras powered with computer vision will register what you’ve picked up, automatically charging your credit card.
Sound familiar? Similar to a mini-bar in a hotel room. I don’t remember any outrage when they were first installed in hotel rooms in the 1970’s. Except, of course, the outrageous prices charged for a bag of pretzels or package of cookies. Bodega is pilot testing placement of their product in gyms, dorms, apartment lobbies, companies, etc.
As the original article in Fast Company mentioned, the biggest threat to bodegas, especially in large urban areas, are the landlords raising rents when leases expire that only large chains can afford. My wife and I live in Manhattan where there is a bodega on every corner and many of these establishments have been there for years and will not go out of business any time soon. How do you decide where to shop and spend your dollars? In my case, it’s the bodega where I get a big smile and the staff remembers I’m a frequent customer and asks me about my day.
Paul McDonald and Ashwath Rajan have come up with a good idea. My thought is they need to use a different marketing strategy. Convenience is important; this new idea uses technology to provide products where you work, live or play. Anyone who frequents their favorite bodega is not going to stop just because they can pick up snacks or healthcare items with an app. You run out of milk or need an ice cream fix and those necessities still require a short walk to your favorite bodega.
Do you think the outrage is overblown?
I agree that adaptation is key for any business. Mom-and-Pops can build stronger relationships, but that requires effort. It's tough though, balancing personal connection with the demand for instant gratification people expect now. Remembering customers' names is great, but sometimes a quick, fun escape is needed too. You know, something simple and engaging. If I need to de-stress for 10 minutes, I might fire up Drift Hunters online. A little mental break, y'know?
This Bodega situation reminds me of business innovation. Competition is inevitable, like trying to run a successful Papa's Pizzeria with rivals on every corner. Mom-and-pop shops offer a human connection that big corporations often lack. Focusing on customer retention and building those relationships is key. Their concept offers convenience, but the execution and branding clearly need refinement. Is it truly revolutionary or just a high-tech vending machine? The market will decide.
This Bodega situation is interesting. While the name choice ruffled feathers, remember competition is everywhere. Think about io games, simple yet addictive, competing for your attention. Bodega's tech-driven pantry boxes target convenience, not necessarily replacing the personal touch of mom-and-pop stores. Building customer loyalty through relationships is key, something no app can truly replicate.
It's interesting to see such strong reactions to Bodega's concept, especially when so many businesses face similar competition. The importance of human connections in Mom-and-Pop stores cannot be overstated. While technology can offer convenience, like in funny shooter 2 's amusing virtual realms, it will never replace the warmth of a familiar bodega.
It's easy to judge a new idea at first glance, especially when it's tied to big names like former Google employees. But everyone deserves a fair shot to explain their vision and skills. That’s where a good resume writing service can really help—making sure your story comes across clearly and leaves the right impression