Q. My wifes own a picture frame shop. She used to also carry some home decor but it wasn't really selling so she scaled back to just picture frames. The buisness stays alive and supports its self but isn't being as profitable as we would like. So I'm looking for some ideas on how to make the buisness grow. Any ideas would be great.
A. The best way to expand any business is to hit the bricks. Go after the next customer. More business' fail becuase customers stop coming in than anyone truely realizes. You have to ask for the business. Now that I've told you exactly what I've been told by business owners at least 100 times, lets take a look at possibilities.
What is she ready to give up, in order to get new business? More on this later.
There are at least 5 frame shops where I live. In every case, they are expensive. They all rely on walkin customers. Over the past few years, each has seen a down turn in their business, but none seem to have a clue about what to do. Telephone books are EXPENSIVE and in many business' either unnecessary or worthless in a cost analysis.
Where are her customers coming from? What do they typically frame? The first thing would be to have her go to the source, not wait for them to come to her.
She needs to know as many of the local photographers as she can meet. She should set up a referral service with them. Ideally, they take pictures for a client and come to her to have them framed. Keep the final customer in mind and make the frames reasonable. This is the first time she'll have to decide what to give up to get the business. Is she willing to trade one sale for ten?
Look at the school calender. Graph every home game for every sport of every highschool. How many events? How many photographers are going to cover these events? NONE? Why not hire a photographer, or be the photographer for these events. Make sure you cover the really special games, if none of the others. Opening games of the season, cross town rivalries, homecomings, playoffs, championships and any others of special significance. When I played, all games had special significance to both my family and my friends as they did for myself. Remember, you have two teams, two cheering sections and they have family members and friends. Go for the volumn!
Football, soccer, wrestling, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, what ever the schools in your area offer, you can benefit from. You are helping them keep their memories for a lifetime, don't forget to use that as a selling point.
Your town or city has events, festivals, parades, cookoffs, concerts and more. Do the same thing. If either she or you are not a photographer, become one. Make it work for you. If neither of you are capable, bring someone in to help. Make sure you put together package deals.
Family birthday parties, sweet 16 parties, the first slumber party. Churches (WEDDINGS, EASTER, CHRISTMAS, PASSOVER, HANNAUKA, ETC.), hospitals (BIRTHS), civic organizations, colleges, fraternities, soroities, military posts, they all have events that work for you. Get the pictures taken then make the frames and present them in as public a fashion as you are able, just don't be pushy. Shake thier hands, complement about how great their kids look in the photos you framed. Ease into how well the frames set the photos off and then ask where they intend to hang or place the photos. Ask if they would like to have some made for their family, mom and dad, sisters and brothers. They make great gifts and presents.
Companies in your area have special events, company picnics and parties. They have milestones, 1 millionth sale, 100,000 hours worked without a lost time injury. A new product line or merger. New business' breaking ground or business' expanding all offer opportunities for business.
I can go on for quite a while longer, seeing the bigger picture and thinking outside the box (to abuse two cliches) are what I have done for decades in my business.
The best thing to do when expanding is to move into the areas that feed your central business. Its a model that corportions have been exploiting more than 100 years.
If you can't scare up more business in your area, seriously, travel, find towns and cities nearest you first that can make the difference.
Using the suggestions above, you should be able to make positive financial changes.
You have to be aware of the other guys too. Wal-Mart, source for all things cheap, and I do mean cheap (ly made) could be cutting into your business as it does with so many other business owners. Use the fact that the frames are cheap mostly junk against them. Make better frames and go after the customer. Wal-Mart like so many retailers and wholesalers are just lazy. If the customer doesn't come in the door, they just sit and wait for the next. Get to the customer before the customer puts you out of business.
I hope this helps you.
What is she ready to give up, in order to get new business? More on this later.
There are at least 5 frame shops where I live. In every case, they are expensive. They all rely on walkin customers. Over the past few years, each has seen a down turn in their business, but none seem to have a clue about what to do. Telephone books are EXPENSIVE and in many business' either unnecessary or worthless in a cost analysis.
Where are her customers coming from? What do they typically frame? The first thing would be to have her go to the source, not wait for them to come to her.
She needs to know as many of the local photographers as she can meet. She should set up a referral service with them. Ideally, they take pictures for a client and come to her to have them framed. Keep the final customer in mind and make the frames reasonable. This is the first time she'll have to decide what to give up to get the business. Is she willing to trade one sale for ten?
Look at the school calender. Graph every home game for every sport of every highschool. How many events? How many photographers are going to cover these events? NONE? Why not hire a photographer, or be the photographer for these events. Make sure you cover the really special games, if none of the others. Opening games of the season, cross town rivalries, homecomings, playoffs, championships and any others of special significance. When I played, all games had special significance to both my family and my friends as they did for myself. Remember, you have two teams, two cheering sections and they have family members and friends. Go for the volumn!
Football, soccer, wrestling, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, what ever the schools in your area offer, you can benefit from. You are helping them keep their memories for a lifetime, don't forget to use that as a selling point.
Your town or city has events, festivals, parades, cookoffs, concerts and more. Do the same thing. If either she or you are not a photographer, become one. Make it work for you. If neither of you are capable, bring someone in to help. Make sure you put together package deals.
Family birthday parties, sweet 16 parties, the first slumber party. Churches (WEDDINGS, EASTER, CHRISTMAS, PASSOVER, HANNAUKA, ETC.), hospitals (BIRTHS), civic organizations, colleges, fraternities, soroities, military posts, they all have events that work for you. Get the pictures taken then make the frames and present them in as public a fashion as you are able, just don't be pushy. Shake thier hands, complement about how great their kids look in the photos you framed. Ease into how well the frames set the photos off and then ask where they intend to hang or place the photos. Ask if they would like to have some made for their family, mom and dad, sisters and brothers. They make great gifts and presents.
Companies in your area have special events, company picnics and parties. They have milestones, 1 millionth sale, 100,000 hours worked without a lost time injury. A new product line or merger. New business' breaking ground or business' expanding all offer opportunities for business.
I can go on for quite a while longer, seeing the bigger picture and thinking outside the box (to abuse two cliches) are what I have done for decades in my business.
The best thing to do when expanding is to move into the areas that feed your central business. Its a model that corportions have been exploiting more than 100 years.
If you can't scare up more business in your area, seriously, travel, find towns and cities nearest you first that can make the difference.
Using the suggestions above, you should be able to make positive financial changes.
You have to be aware of the other guys too. Wal-Mart, source for all things cheap, and I do mean cheap (ly made) could be cutting into your business as it does with so many other business owners. Use the fact that the frames are cheap mostly junk against them. Make better frames and go after the customer. Wal-Mart like so many retailers and wholesalers are just lazy. If the customer doesn't come in the door, they just sit and wait for the next. Get to the customer before the customer puts you out of business.
I hope this helps you.
What is the name of this bit of home decor?
Q. I've seen a lot of little gift stores using what looks like scarves in sheer materials (like organza) to decorate tables along with knick-knacks and strands of beads. What on earth do they call this fabric? I've been calling it a table scarf because it isn't a table runner, but no one seems to know what I'm talking about when I describe it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and if there is a proper name for this piece of material?
A. Hi danagator414,
I think you are referring to a Table or 'Mantel' Sash. Though I doubt the industry has named them as such. You are absolutely correct, they are not table runners as we know them. However, if you are looking to achieve this look in your home, here is my tip. You can purchase or make a window scarf. Which is approx 108 inches in length of a sheer material x 24 inches width. You can easily cascade the fabric around your design elements. <The window scarves usually hang across the top of a window on hooks. not an actual valance though. It just rather a swagging piece of fabric.> Again, it seems to me you have a keen eye on design elements and you could easily achieve this look. *Happy Decorating*
I think you are referring to a Table or 'Mantel' Sash. Though I doubt the industry has named them as such. You are absolutely correct, they are not table runners as we know them. However, if you are looking to achieve this look in your home, here is my tip. You can purchase or make a window scarf. Which is approx 108 inches in length of a sheer material x 24 inches width. You can easily cascade the fabric around your design elements. <The window scarves usually hang across the top of a window on hooks. not an actual valance though. It just rather a swagging piece of fabric.> Again, it seems to me you have a keen eye on design elements and you could easily achieve this look. *Happy Decorating*
What type of Baskets should I make for Xmas?
Q. I am making home-made presents for my family and friends, and I am wondering if anyone out there has any ideas what to put in their baskets?
I have my Mom, Grandmother, Grandfather, Fiancee, And a few friends, I also have my Maid of Honor and her family.. Any Ideas from anyone?
I am looking for ideas, that are going to be less than 50.00 for each basket...
I have my Mom, Grandmother, Grandfather, Fiancee, And a few friends, I also have my Maid of Honor and her family.. Any Ideas from anyone?
I am looking for ideas, that are going to be less than 50.00 for each basket...
A. For the past 25 yrs I have made holiday baskets of every kind. Here is the basic plan and idea, Go to thrift stores to find medium size baskets with handles that come up at least 6 inches from the rim of the basket. If the basket has 1 or 2 flaws, these are an easy fix with a glue gun and probably will be covered anyway. I get most of my decor from thrift, dollar and craft stores that have sales (just the craft stores with sales). For time sake hire some kids around 10 yrs old to gather the wide pine cones off the ground at parks, neighbors with pine trees, etc. Its ok if they are wet as they dry out, they open up. When the kids bring the plastic bags with the pine cones, spritz some bug killer in them and tie them up for 3 days before doing anything else with them. So when the cones are debugged and dry, they will go in the bottom of the baskets. As you make each layer, put glue stick glue between each touching cone, just a dab. You'll only need 2 or 3 layers. You will need a lot of glue sticks so buy the big bags. List of items for the rest of the basket: 1. sets of mini christmas lights with 35 lights per strand. They come in clear and multiple colors. ($ store) 2. 1 figurine for the center under the handle (e.g Santa, Angel, pretty girl, child with toy, hobby,etc. 3. assortment of mini silk poinsettias (at $ store come in bunches of 6 )that you are going to cut off about 2 inches down from the petals. They come in a variety of colors, some with glitter. 4. variety of additional decor like a bunch of mini shiny presents, selection of small, various holiday, wedding, hobby decor. 5. Roll of wired edge ribbon, 2 1/2 " wide and 30 ft long ($ store) comes in multiple colors with or without glitter. NOW CONTINUED INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY (bowl of a few ice cubes for when you burn your finger on the hot glue! its not a matter of if but, when) OK.... after putting cones in and spots of glue wait a few minutes and do a touch test to make sure they are secure.
Next: take the strand of mini lights and unwind them and plug them in to make sure they all light up. Starting with the end with the plug, go to the first light and one side spot glue cord by bottom of handle. Wrap strand around the handle about 3" between each wrap and when you get to the other side of the handle, wrap around base of handle once and spot glue. Go back and spot glue on cord 3 or 4 places on handle. Keep going around the rim of basket and spot glue again every 3 to 4 ". (you will need some type of clamp to hold the strand down in between the spots of glue. Proceed intertwining the light strand through the cones until it is fairly even covering the basket of cones. After glue has cooled, plug lights in again to verify all lights are working. The strands come with replacement packs. Now you can glue the main figurine in the center on top of cones. Next poke flower stems down in between cones and spot glue. Add additional decor and secure with glue gun. I like my flowers and decor to drape over the edge in the front. The basked handle is oriented side to side for you. The main center figure will face you. Now for the final step.... yeah.... start with taking the whole roll of ribbon off the holder and fold in half and cut so you'll have 15 feet per basket. Find center of ribbon and place on top of handle. Wrap handle in between mini lights and secure with spot glue at the base of handle on both sides. Continue with putting spots of glue on the outside of rim and press ribbon on until the ribbon covers around the out side of rim.
I like to find some thing that can hang down from the top of handle a little or glue a silk poinsettia on top of handle. Add your own finishes. Some times I tie a bow with the wire edge ribbon and glue it to the front of the basket. Play around with them and have fun. I use to sell mine for 25 to 45 $ a piece and some were gifts. Its so fun to place them around a room and you will need 6 ft. extension cords ($ store) to go from the light plug to the extension to the wall socket. They make wonder gifts that people use year after year. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN. I know my answer is long but it is so worth it.
Next: take the strand of mini lights and unwind them and plug them in to make sure they all light up. Starting with the end with the plug, go to the first light and one side spot glue cord by bottom of handle. Wrap strand around the handle about 3" between each wrap and when you get to the other side of the handle, wrap around base of handle once and spot glue. Go back and spot glue on cord 3 or 4 places on handle. Keep going around the rim of basket and spot glue again every 3 to 4 ". (you will need some type of clamp to hold the strand down in between the spots of glue. Proceed intertwining the light strand through the cones until it is fairly even covering the basket of cones. After glue has cooled, plug lights in again to verify all lights are working. The strands come with replacement packs. Now you can glue the main figurine in the center on top of cones. Next poke flower stems down in between cones and spot glue. Add additional decor and secure with glue gun. I like my flowers and decor to drape over the edge in the front. The basked handle is oriented side to side for you. The main center figure will face you. Now for the final step.... yeah.... start with taking the whole roll of ribbon off the holder and fold in half and cut so you'll have 15 feet per basket. Find center of ribbon and place on top of handle. Wrap handle in between mini lights and secure with spot glue at the base of handle on both sides. Continue with putting spots of glue on the outside of rim and press ribbon on until the ribbon covers around the out side of rim.
I like to find some thing that can hang down from the top of handle a little or glue a silk poinsettia on top of handle. Add your own finishes. Some times I tie a bow with the wire edge ribbon and glue it to the front of the basket. Play around with them and have fun. I use to sell mine for 25 to 45 $ a piece and some were gifts. Its so fun to place them around a room and you will need 6 ft. extension cords ($ store) to go from the light plug to the extension to the wall socket. They make wonder gifts that people use year after year. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN. I know my answer is long but it is so worth it.
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