Chuck,

You have lots of friends here. Let us help you through whatever problems you may have.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Chuck,
Let's get personal. A couple of months ago very late at night I was in a really sad mood and you were there.

Call us. It doesn't have to be me it can be anybody here. We may not be able to fix it but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who has been there.

Love,
Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Chuck,
Take it from someone who had to watch her whole business dissolve right before her very eyes, it's a sucky feeling man. And as I am in the process of rebuilding everything, I too have massive feelings of frustration and feeling like throwing in the towel. And it would be so easy to do at this point.

And I post this publicly as opposed to sending a PM because I know you are not alone in your frustrations. We have all been at lows at one point or another.

You have been greatly missed around here not only for your fantastic sense of humor, but your desire to make everything the very best it can be.

You're setting up a new store....you are so exhausted you can't even see straight. Now that the main showroom is set up, take a break, get some rest.

You had the balls to wear a grass skirt in public, I know you have the drive to get through this. Take your own advice, and give yourself the pat of the back you so richly deserve.

You have a whole group of people who love ya and are here for ya buddy!!!

Take care and email me (or someone) if there is anything I can do to help you!!
Becky

Becky,
Thank you. You are too kind.

I don't have any advice that would turn your life around, so on a strictly personal level... I just wanted to say that your one of the posters here that I always seek out to read. You've consistantly put a smile on my face. Regardless of what you decide to do business-wise, I hope you keep coming around here.

Shaddy

bobkat etal;

I am not ignoring or avoiding the question, I am just trying to figure out how to answer it. It is challenging to put into words, but in a nut shell, I do not see the profit potential in this industry, in my location.
This is the fourth time I have tried to be specific about the question...and the post becomes so long an so obtuse that no one would understand it.....or the situation.
Basically it comes down to marketing and pricing. The ONLY thing I can see that I have to compete with is QUALITY and SERVICE and as I am sure you know that can be expensive to provide, yet in a highly competitive price driven market cannot be charged for.
As for getting the clients, it seems that almost every call is for something obscure that I either do not have or have not yet learned to produce...these customers go elsewhere. The ones that I am able to do come at such a high cost that it would make more sense for ME to PAY the CUSTOMER for the privilege of doing the job.
Shipping and handling are another issue. Also the onesy twosy items that I get calls for.
I could give several examples but that is where the thread gets long and boring.
How long does one try and how much money does one spend before saying enough?
I do however appreciate more than anyone could possible know, the friends and family in this forum that have offered support and encouragement. I means more than you could possibly know and I thank you all for that.

Shaddy,

You are too kind. Thank you for your kind words.

Dave,
Yes I have thought of that. THAT is exactly what everybody and their brother that has a laser is doing here. The market is saturated with that sort of item and the folks that make them seem to be entrenched.
I guess part of the challenge I am having is "seeing" the vision. What I am seeing is mostly the obstacles and it is difficult, ( me being me) to move beyond that. I KNOW there are customers to be had, the challenge for me is finding them. I KNOW that once American Pacific Awards is established, it will be successful....the question is how long am I willing to wait and how far am I willing to go and how much more money and effort am I willing to put into it to see a return?
Perhaps I am jaded. When I opened my upholstery business 18 years ago, I had a $40,000.00 profit, yes profit, the first year and it just kept going until it topped out because I lost interest and my back started hurting. So after almost two years of expending time, money and effort and STILL not seeing a return with American Pacific Awards I am discouraged.
Further, people don't seem to know what American Pacific Awards is. THAT is frustrating too so I have been considering a name change.
Thanks for taking the time and having the interest to help. I appreciate it.

Carl,
Thank you for your post. You have brought up some interesting points, and perhaps some WOULD like to share their experiences.
As for Rodneys list, I have looked at it several times. The challenge is that the Maui economy is largely tourism driven, and as I mentioned to Dave Jones, pretty saturated.
Anyway I am flattered and amazed at the outpouring of support from this forum.

Now it is time for breakfast.

Do you feel that there's enough demand for awards in Maui to base a business just on that? If so, have you gone to visit local companies that have awards programs (or convinced those that don't that they should)? The local Chamber, Rotary, and Tourist Bureaus should all be giving awards to local businesses on a regular basis (if not, convince them). There must be local organizations that hold yearly competitions (photographers, writers, artists, battle of the bands, etc...). Not to mention sports groups, schools, archery clubs, gun clubs, swimming clubs, horse riding, dog shows, etc... Then how about bars that hold dart tournaments, pool tournaments, wet t-shirt contests, etc...

If there isn't enough awards business available, then you may need to go in several directions at once. Awards, souvenirs, signs, etc...

The souvenir market may seem saturated, but there's always room for more if it is different than all the rest. If you make something like nobody else is making, you'll probably be able to push them into that market. Maybe something 3 dimensional. A lot of laser stuff I've seen is done quickly with vectors so it's fast and cheap, but photos look so much better. Maybe something made from multiple pieces that can snap together but be disassembled to fit in a suitcase. It needs to stand out from the rest when on a shelf full of souvenirs. Something expensive, but that looks worth it. Don't compete with $3 souvenirs. Or sell them through unusual places that don't sell other souvenirs but get lots of tourists. Make tiny little islands with a hole and a hoop and sell them through places that sell necklaces. No single item or market will make you rich, but a little bit each from a lot of them might. I'm sure you and the people here can come up with dozens of ideas for unique gifts based on Hawaii.