Hometown Xpress

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business:  What​ ​does​ ​your​ ​business​ ​offer,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​long have​ ​you​ ​been​ ​around?​ ​ 

Hometown Xpress is a locally owned and operated takeout delivery business. Currently we deliver to McMinnville, Carlton, Yamhill, Newberg, St. Paul, Dundee and Dayton. We have been in business since July 15, 2017. My mom, brother, kids are all involved with this. We are truly a family run business!

How did you decide to get involved in this line of work?  How did your business get started?

I had worked previously as a dispatcher (from home) for one of the larger nationwide takeout delivery services. At the time, there were approximately 500 of us calling in their orders, talking to the customers and dispatching the drivers. After about 2 years, the company “outsourced” ALL of the USA callers to the Phillipines. It was kind of a jolt when this happened, but actually turned into a blessing when I decided to do this on my own.

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​things​ ​you​ ​are​ ​proud​ ​of​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business.​ ​  What​ ​are​ ​you known​ ​for?​ ​What​ ​separates​ ​you​ ​from​ ​the​ ​competition?​ ​

One of the neat things about this (for me) is my four sons got to see Mom make something from nothing. (Their father Eric passed away in 2008 from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease) when they were very young….10, 9 , 6, 5. He had been ill for 3 years. So, we have been through a lot together. This business has been life affirming and (I hope) an invaluable life lesson to them and those around me. We can do anything if we put our mind, heart and soul into it! I hope I serve as an example to them to not be afraid to put themselves out there and try new ideas!

What separates us from the competition is we are neighbors serving neighbors. So, meeting and exceeding their expectations is important to us. We provide amazing customer service. Every aspect of the delivery is handled efficiently and quick! Our dispatchers are knowledgeable and professional ensuring that everything in the order is correct (including any special requests) and then our amazing drivers do what they do best – deliver each order fresh, quick and yummy! ALL of our dispatchers and drivers live within our delivery area which makes all of what we do that much better. “Just a few clicks and you will have your order lickety split!”

What is your favorite part of running this business?

We are PEOPLE driven. While technology is what makes this business possible, it’s the people that make it fun! All of our partners are amazing and appreciate the value of what we bring to their business AND the customers are always happy to see us. I mean, we are delivering food! So, who would not be happy to see us?

Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?

Really, pretty much anyone. Each of our partners are actually customers. So, anyone who has a product they need delivered could be an invaluable customer. And it does not just have to be takeout food. It could be anything that you want to be “more accessible” by the community at large. Delivery options just make things more convenient all the way around.

Also, People are busy and we help take one less task from them – preparing meals! Office meetings/parties. Family get togethers, etc.

Right now, with all of the COVID-19 going on, everyone can benefit from our service.

Is there any other information you’d like your potential customers/clients to know about your business?

We are locally owned and operated out of Yamhill. I am a former Marine (so Veteran owned) and 2 of my sons also help manage this business. I am proud to be serving a community that I grew up in! (Graduated Yamhill Carlton High School 1984)

How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​see​ ​your​ ​business​ ​growing​ ​and​ ​improving​ ​over​ ​the​ ​next​ ​couple​ ​of years?​ ​

I believe that Hometown Xpress will continue to grow at a reasonable steady pace. Of course, it is more difficult to gauge right now with COVID-19, but we are here and will ride it out with our neighbors. All of us will be standing in the end. Beyond that, we shall see! But I know we will continue to be an important part of our community and that is very important to me.