Chuck, where are you - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Peter	16 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	26 of 109

4334.26 In reply to 4334.23

Kathy says, why dont you incorporate laser engraved designs into your upholstery, or lasered upholstered Hawaii gifts.

Kathys Dad and Brother are Upholsterers. Kathys dad has been upholstering for 45 years and brother for 25 years.

How about offering auto designs for reupholstered car seats or personalizing the seats with psycho dragon designs and all that other weird stuff the youth of today like?

regards
Peter and Kathy

Peter Vasic
Engraving Services Co.
Adelaide, Australia.
http://www.engravingservices.com.au

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	16 Jul 2006
To:	Peter	27 of 109

4334.27 In reply to 4334.26
quote: Kathy says, why dont you incorporate laser engraved designs into your upholstery, or lasered upholstered Hawaii gifts. Peter, Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kathy for thinking of me and offering her suggestions. The thing is I WANT OUT OF UPHOLSTERY!!!!!!!!!! I have been doing that for 30 years....I have wanted out of it for 25. Savey? ( Captain Jack Sparrow)

From:	Laura (ELLEMD628)	16 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	29 of 109

4334.29 In reply to 4334.15

Ditto to what Shaddy said.

Laura ;-)

Laura DeMeyer
Etched in Time Engraving
"Making Memories Last a Lifetime"
http://www.etchedintimeengraving.com
http://www.cafepress.com/pugpugs

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	16 Jul 2006
To:	Carl (CSEWELL)	30 of 109

4334.30 In reply to 4334.28
quote: But why not USE that to help you get OUT AND STAY OUT OF UPHOLSTERY!!!!!! A temporary transition? I am using upholstery. ( read that still doing it) and that is part of the challenge....IT pays the bills so demands more of my focus......however I had NOT thought of combining the two...........something to think about.

From:	Kat (KATHY)	16 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	31 of 109

4334.31 In reply to 4334.30
Hi Chuck Peter and I fully understand yor frustration of your current situation, if we had a year to sit down we could tell you some stories about how we have struggled to be where we are now, and you know what I wouldn't change a thing. I try to step outside the square a little sometimes, (I think my husband thinks I am a bit ditsy doing this sometimes) but here goes. Seeing as that the economy is largely tourism based I would assume that there are many hotels around the place and I know you said you want out of upholstery business so why not try to create some strategic alliances with the ma and pa upholstery business and let them do the upholstery with your designs on leather or denim or some other fabric. We have done some tests for my brother who approached the local casino with some ideas about logos on their seating. When you sit down and think about it the possibilities are endless. Peters passion is art and we try to incorporate that as much as possible, for those people who want something unique. You know upholstery so why not try to use what you know best, and maybe even throw in some engraved sugar cane for the fun of it. Hope this helps a little Kathy Too many children, too little time, too much to do!

From:	swede (BRUCE_LARSON)	17 Jul 2006
To:	ALL	32 of 109

4334.32
Just a suggestion. Since there is so much development work in your area, it seems that a natural msarket would be in signage. You have invested in enough of the right type of equipment to work with many of the commonly used sign materials. Your marketing would not be to the awards market, nor to the tourist market, but rather to architects, builders, designers, etc. Some of the vinyl sign makers might want cut acrylic lettering or many of the Romark or IPI type products. Try going in some of these other directions and with your creativity, I'm sure you will hit the niche that best fits your market.

From:	Shaddy	17 Jul 2006
To:	ALL	33 of 109

4334.33 In reply to 4334.32

That's good advice for everyone. when i walk around hotels and see all the signs for everything, i think "I can do that". Some of the signs aren't even that good and I think "I can do better than that".

And yet I don't :-$ One of the many things that can be done but then I'd have to quit my other job to have the time.

Anyway, the point is, signs are a good direction.

Shaddy

From:	UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48)	18 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	34 of 109

4334.34 In reply to 4334.30
Chuck, Have you approached the Country Clubs on the Island(s)? They should be holding many tournaments, especially in the fall, winter and spring and are always giving out awards. Also, Plaques listing current, past and founding members, Executive boards, past Club Champions, Hole-in One's, etc. I know how frustrating you can feel, we went through 10+ years of hell with my health problems and little or no income. It ain't pretty, but if I can survive, I have all the confidence that you can also. Keeping you in our prayers, Dave & Lynn Born at night, just not last night.

From:	Zonas	18 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	35 of 109

4334.35 In reply to 4334.4

Chuck, you can't give up...........your coconuts were a BIG hit this past weekend at the wedding I did!! So I'm posting a picture.....maybe there are others here that can give you some jobs B-)

To explain to others. I like to specialize in weddings. If I called myself a "Stunt Wedding Planner" you'd probably understand when I say I don't do the normal boring weddings ;-) . The challenge this time was they wanted a 'tropcial' theme to their reception. It was going to be an outside wedding and they had already decided they wanted my Palm Tree wedding cake, now we needed table decorations. Coconuts!! I contacted Chuck about engraving on coconuts. He could do it. I decided to let him engrave all of them for me so I wouldn't have to worry about messing any up and having to order more PLUS I don't mind giving work to others here on the forum. Chuck offered to get them candle filled on the island, but I also do candles so I said I would candle fill. The bride decided to candle fill half of the order and use the other half as bowls .

I guess what I'm trying to say is...............this was a small job, but I hope I can get more jobs for Chuck as he is able to get coconuts a lot easier than I can in Kansas ;-) . Do you have any customers that would like to have 'custom engraved in Hawaii' item that you could outsource to Chuck? If the locals haven't found him WE have!

Zona
Zona's Engraved Creations

EDITED: 31 Jul 2006 by ZONAS

From:	ULC1 (ESCALES5057)	18 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	36 of 109

4334.36 In reply to 4334.30

Chuck,

I too have missed your postings and I too am in the same state of mind your are in. My wife and I started our laser business 1 1/2 years ago and we were both working full time jobs. My wife has since quit her job and is working at home doing the laser stuff. But, most days go by without her getting one single phone call. I ask her every day when I get home, "Did you get any calls or emails today?" The answer is usually "No". We finally bit the bullet and spent the money to have a very nice website designed, hoping that someone shopping online might find us. We also are trying a radio ad right now on the local radio station. We also had a 30 second tv ad for a month before Christmas. Of all of these, the tv ad was definitely the best response, but I think it may have been because it was the holiday. By far, the best advertising is word of mouth. Everyone that sees our stuff, loves it and tells others about it. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for the word to spread far and wide enough to make our business profitable. So now, I spend my lunch break online, racking my brain, for other avenues to take this business. I have done a couple industrial jobs, with a couple more quoted, but nothing to get excited over. I ask my wife all the time, "how can we make our business grow?" We can't seem to find our "niche market" or our "specialty item". I guess I don't have any answers for you, just some encouragement to let you know that you are not alone in the way you're feeling right now. So, try not to be discouraged. We're all in this business together and we're here to help each other out. I think it helps just to talk about it and get it off your chest.

Eric Scales
Unique Laser Creations
Hermitage, PA
www.uniquelasercreations.com
uniquelaser@adelphia.net

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	18 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	37 of 109

4334.37 In reply to 4334.21
Chuck, I'd say this thread is far from long and boring. One sound piece of advice you've received is, get plenty of rest. What's overwhelming, at the end of a long day, can be much less daunting, after a good night's rest. That's easier said than done. I'm sure many of the people here (and yourself) can attest to the fact that a businessperson's mind runs nearly non-stop, in trying to find ways to improve their businesses and their quality of life. Here's an idea, based on tourism: You have sublimation equipment. Why not team up with a sportfishing, scuba diving, golfing outfit etc? Have them take digital shots of people with their prize catch, family etc., and email them to you, to be used in ceramic tile murals, refrigerator magnets, keepsake boxes etc. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	38 of 109

4334.38 In reply to 4334.37
quote: You have sublimation equipment. Why not team up with a sportfishing, scuba diving, golfing outfit etc? Have them take digital shots of people with their prize catch, family etc., and email them to you, to be used in ceramic tile murals, refrigerator magnets, keepsake boxes etc. David, Thanks for the idea. I guess my biggest challenge is making the contact. Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I am technically proficient. Marketing is where I am struggling. I am sure there is work out there.....getting it is another question. So how does one approach these potential customers? Cold calls? ( COLD FEET). It goes back to my try at radio advertising. I would sit in my car frozen with fear at the prospect of going into a potential clients place of businesses. How does one convince someone they need ones product or service? Thanks again for the ideas.

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	swede (BRUCE_LARSON)	39 of 109

4334.39 In reply to 4334.32
Bruce, I have investigated signs.....I actually did some indoor signs for Pacific Disaster Center, so I know I can do it but I cannot afford more equipment right now and there are more sign shops on Maui than awards dealers...most are struggling DESPITE the boom in development ( mostly condos and UN-affordable housing. I am afraid that my "tool/equipment" budget is tapped out until I can get the equipment I have making enough money to pay for itself. I keep hear stories about " Man, my laser paid for itself in 6 months...".... How do they do it?

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48)	40 of 109

4334.40 In reply to 4334.34

Dave,
Believe it or not there is only ONE Country Club on Maui and ironically enough I just got a job from them. A small job, but a job none the less. When the tennis pro told me what he wanted I said YES, I can do that. So I ordered in the necessary items ( trophy marble etc)....$259.00 and paid the freight $330.00 ( over 100% of the cost ) to secure the client in the hopes of getting more work from them. Basically I am paying for the privilege to do the work....... THAT was the straw that almost broke the camels back. I could not see the profit potential so I started wondering what the heck am I even doing this for? And it sort of snowballed from there.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, interest and encouragement. I appreciate it more than you might know.

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	Zonas	41 of 109

4334.41 In reply to 4334.35

Zona,
I'm glad the coconuts were a hit.
Thank you for your encouragement. It helps.
As I have mentioned before, marketing is the stumbling block for me. There are a gazillion wedding planners here......I am sure I could offer them SOMETHING, but I do not know how to go about doing it...... sigh......

Thanks again.

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	ULC1 (ESCALES5057)	42 of 109

4334.42 In reply to 4334.36
Eric, Did we not meet at the ARA show in Las Vegas this last march? I think maybe.....your scenario sounds familiar. Anyway, you said quote: By far, the best advertising is word of mouth. Agreed. But it takes sooooooo long....yet that is what I am counting on. I can tell you THIS, waiting for the phone to ring will not work. Which is why I am networking my butt off. Rotary, The Chamber of Commerce, ( My wife just joine Kiwanis) BNI networking, and Toastmasters. I have gotten some work that way....but mostly a lot of small orders.....but orders none the less. My weak spot is marketing....as I have mentioned before. If I could figure out how to comfortably approach new customers I might stand a chance. Yet even when I approach people I know, they always associate me with my other business. One recent example that didn't help my spirits was my tennis coach. I told her what I was doing now and asked how I could help her. Her reply, " I"m happy using brand X. and I'm loyal, so I have no reason to change." BRAND X is NOT a member of the tennis club, the do not play tennis and have no affiliation. I am a member. So that didn't help much either. But I thank you for you encouragement and kind words......best of luck to you and maybe we both just need to stay the course and keep our chins up huh?

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	18 Jul 2006
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	43 of 109

4334.43 In reply to 4334.38
Chuck, A tangible sample is the best way to create enthusiasm for a product. If a picture is worth a thousand words, an actual sample is worth a set of encyclopedias. :-) Jet ski rentals; the list could go on. You're proposing a win-win to the potential customer. An add-on sale for them and a steady stream of business for yourself. You won't be regarded as a "salesman" as much as a welcome "business partner." David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	18 Jul 2006
To:	ALL	44 of 109

4334.44

Everyone,

I cannot thank you enough for all of the encouragement, ideas and suggestions. If nothing else you have bouyed my spirits and gotten me to thinking.

Today I am taking some business and marketing classes, and I think I have finally convinced one of my early mentors to come out and help me with some of my marketing/sales challenges.

On another note the power of this forum and the family and friends we have here is nothing short of amazing, and I am deeply moved by the outpouring of support friendship. I truly had no clue. THANK YOU.

Humbly