In this episode of the I Am Lakeland podcast, host Don Burns sits down with Jim Carey and Rick McCumber from Eat.Play.Go. to discuss how their innovative platform is changing the game for small and medium-sized businesses. Jim, a veteran of the leisure and travel industry, shares the origin story of Eat.Play.Go.—a company born from the desire to level the playing field by providing smaller businesses with the same high-level lifestyle and savings benefits usually reserved for large corporations.
The conversation highlights Eat.Play.Go. recent strategic pivot toward solving a major “toothache” for local businesses: the challenge of consistently securing high-quality Google reviews. Jim and Rick explain how their platform removes friction by allowing team members to send a review request via text at the exact point of service. To sweeten the deal, customers receive an immediate gift—a 30-day subscription to the epligo savings network—as a token of appreciation.
Beyond just reviews, the guests detail a holistic approach to customer engagement. The Eat.Play.Go. platform automates a personalized monthly email sequence, keeping businesses top-of-mind with their clients year-round. This system not only drives five-star reviews but also fosters long-term loyalty and encourages organic referrals. Rick, serving as the National Sales Director, emphasizes the importance of ethics and integrity in business, noting that happy customers naturally become brand ambassadors.
Listeners will also learn about Eat.Play.Go’s “Employee Personal Rewards” program, designed to help business owners combat “quiet quitting” and high turnover. For the cost of a cup of coffee per month, employers can provide their staff with significant savings on everything from travel and dining to car repairs, fostering a better work-life balance and a more motivated team. 12
