Full Version: Chuck, where are you
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#84]
19 Jul 2006
To: gt350ed [#82] 19 Jul 2006
Ed,
Lisa and I were just talking about that yesterday. We do need to sit down, review our products/services....and develop a target list.
The showroom is about half way finished. I had thought it would be finished, but once we got ALL of our inventory up it looked mostly empty....so I need to order some more inventory and it wil lbe finished. However it is no longer embarrasing when someone comes in and sees things in boxes, and general dissaray (sp?). When we do get it finished I will post a picture.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#85]
19 Jul 2006
To: ALL
HI Gang
Thanks again for all the input. I will try and post some target markets later today.
ONE thing that keeps popping up here though which I had not thought about, ( and there are many things I had not thought about) is SAMPLES.....
Thank to everyone
From: Barbara (RGILE) [#86]
19 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#57] 19 Jul 2006
That is a fabulous idea. I am sure that someone would stop Chuck and ask him about it.
I think that's one way to advertise without the cold calling that he is afraid of.
Barb
From: UncleSteve [#87]
19 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#85] 19 Jul 2006
Laser a jet ski out of a local wood that floats well. Add a name such as "Chuck's Toy!" and a hole with a brass key chain.
The product ends up as a personalized FLOATING key chain.... and they can be promoted to the jet ski shops with their name on the back or directly to the jet ski owners or maybe to the local insurance brokers that specialize in watercraft....
Just a quick idea that may or may NOT float.....
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#88]
19 Jul 2006
To: UncleSteve [#87] 19 Jul 2006
Steve,
Thanks for that idea.....it may not float :-) But is unique enough that it might work.....
Again, thank you for thinking of me and for your support and encouragement.
From: Shaddy [#89]
19 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#88] 19 Jul 2006
Lasering one out of wood most likely won't support keys, but with sublimation stuff, you should be able to get some sealed foam floats and put their logo on them. Just don't know what the profit margin would be.
This is a great thread. Sorry it started on a sad note, but there are a lot of good ideas here.
Shaddy
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#90]
19 Jul 2006
To: Shaddy [#89] 19 Jul 2006
Shaddy, It IS a great thread....and while it started out sad, it is uplifting on MANY levels....it is encouraging, thought provoking and humbling all at the same time...one never knows for sure how many friends one has....and I am humbled by the outpouring of support and it has given me hope.
I thank YOU for your part in helping bouy me up. I appreciate it very much.
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#91]
19 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Can I just say to all how much I have enjoyed this thread? Certainly not the part where Chuck is miserable and doesn't want to cold call.
But the brainstorming of FANTASTIC ideas that so many of us will be able to benefit from. I too hate the thought of cold calling and have
gotten so many fantastic ideas.
I am a stay at home mom and feel that sometimes when I am in the presence of other adults, I become one of those "talkers" that people are just dying to get away from just because I am so happy to have other adults to talk to.....(see, I just start and can't stop LOL)
So, shut up and listen...good advice. I know Chuck is appreciative of all the advice being given. And I am too. This is thread is priceless and timeless as we ALL have gone through slumps and ALL need encouragement and ALL need these great ideas.
Thanks everyone and thanks Chuck for sharing your slump with all of us. (I mean that sincerely)
Becky
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#92]
20 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#91] 20 Jul 2006
Yes, it has been some great information sharing....now if I could just figure out how to make some of it work for me!
Doug
From: UncleSteve [#93]
20 Jul 2006
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#92] 20 Jul 2006
Stop figuring and just GO OUT AND DO IT! :D
From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#94]
21 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#38] 21 Jul 2006
If you believe in your product and what you are doing, it will ooze from your poors.
The reality is that you need to be excited about what you can offer someone, people sense that and find themselves excited about it as well once they see it.
If the reality is that you don't find your offerings appealing, It's doubtful that your potential clients will either.
Tell them why you like it and how it can help them......Your trying to fill a need there somewhere............
Hang in there.....your in a very popular destination for travelers looking for a way to bring a part of their experience home with them.......At a minimum the tourist option has to be a potential niche.
Look into industries that need marking on metals and other surfaces.....Industrial business may be a great niche for you, particularly if you are one of only a few local entities offering the service.
Hope this helps,
From: UncleSteve [#95]
21 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#94] 21 Jul 2006
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#96]
21 Jul 2006
To: UncleSteve [#95] 21 Jul 2006
Is that a CHALLENGE? B-)
From: basehorawards [#97]
21 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#38] 21 Jul 2006
I started my business about the same time as you started yours - April of 2004. I agree that it is tough getting the business to stay above water.
I was thinking about you today as I was driving to make a delivery. here is sort of how it went.
What do you want from a salesman that is trying to sell you something? How do you like to be spoken to? Do you like to see samples? When you go shopping do you like it when the salesman comes up to you or do you prefer he (she) wait for you to ask for help? What can a clerk, salesman, waiter etc. do that is guaranteed to upset or annoy you?
Take all of those things together and become the things you like and do not do the things that annoy you. Be the salesman you wish you could find when you want to buy something.
When I go on a cold call - or even when the customer has called me and I am going to meet for the first time - I too get cold feet. I have a routine that I go through on the way to the appt. where I remind myself that I am just going to talk to the client exactly how I would want to be talked to if I was the client. In other words: Talk to yourself during the visit. It works for me every time.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#98]
21 Jul 2006
To: basehorawards [#97] 21 Jul 2006
James,
First let me thank you for thinking of me during your day. I appreciate your interest and support.
I like your questions....my challenge is GETTING the customer. When a customer calls ME, it's easy. I become Johnny on the spot, go meet them promptly, take samples, catalogs, etc. and bend over backwards to meet their needs.
However, GETTING them to contact me is the tough part. I am hoping that the next part of my CoreFour classes ( market development) will give me the boost I need.
Pricing is my other challenge.....I KNOW I should be calling my competition, but I don't know what questions to ask.....about which products, etc. And what I HOPE will be to my advantage, I have the ONLY awards showroom on the island. Everyone else is working from their home. The location is not the best, but it is what was available.
Again James, thank you for your interest. I hope one day I will be able to return the favor.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#99]
21 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#1] 21 Jul 2006
quote:
Has anyone considered how this thread is going to affect Chuck? ;-)
Dave,
You used that post to start this one. To which thread are you referring? I would like to read it. Maybe.
Thanks
From: basehorawards [#100]
21 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#98] 21 Jul 2006
You might get some different opinions on checking prices of your competitors. My closest competitor is also home based. I have never talked to them and would not know them if I saw them on the street. They bought an established "legendary" home based trophy store. Unfortunately for them (good for me) they did not buy the customer service the previous owner had. I do not know what they charge but I do know what I have to charge to make money to feed my kids so that is where I set my prices.
I am a bit curious about what they offer other than trophies as they have added "and more" to their name but not enough to send in a secret shopper. I just do the best I can in sales and production. Set a reasonable price and hopefully retire in twenty years. I do have the good fortune that my wife's employer covers our health insurance.
BTW is your store where the tourist will see it? If so fill your window with engraved locally obtained items such as coconuts, rocks, drift wood, etc. See what walks in.
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#101]
21 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#99] 21 Jul 2006
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#102]
21 Jul 2006
To: basehorawards [#100] 21 Jul 2006
James,
No it is not. Rents in places where tourist would shop, run a minimum of $2000.00 per month plus fees. ( Paradise is expensive)
It actually is not able to be seen at all, however it was the ONLY space available that HAD a showroom. Unfortunately one must walk through my upholstery shop to get to the awards showroom.
It was necessary to take this space because I needed to be "in" the complex in order to be able to get first dibs on "any" space in the front building which has great visibility.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#103]
21 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#101] 21 Jul 2006
Dave,
This thread has bouyed my spirits and got me to thinking. There is hope :D
Yes, I did get into sublimation. What I have done with it so far has been mouse pads and a couple of murals.....so far so good.
Thanks for starting this thread.
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