Business ideas needed..... - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	20 Aug 2006
To:	ALL	7 of 29

4642.7

Good suggestions!!!
MY intention in this is to build a working relationship (not tap into their customer base) I would like to be able to outsource to one another since I don't do embroidery and they don't do lasering or sublimation.

I figure the more contacts/relationships I have, the more opportunities I will be able to take advantage of.
Thanks for the thoughts everyone!!
Dave-love your suggestion!! That sounds like and interesting prospect!!
Becky

From:	AnthonyC	20 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	8 of 29

4642.8 In reply to 4642.7
Hey Becky My 1st question is "why not tap into their list? 2nd "Who's list is bigger" (Do you know?) And that evil Uncle Steve is right...as much as I hate to admit it! best Regards Anthony www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com

From:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	20 Aug 2006
To:	AnthonyC	9 of 29

4642.9 In reply to 4642.8
Anthony- I don't think I understood what Uncle Steve meant by: Don't forget another option.... "They" are planning to bring more products/processes in-house and this is just a first step! I was probably focusing too narrowly on the scope of the meeting, viewing it solely as a way to introduce myself as possible means of outsourcing. In answer to question 2, I guarantee his customer base is way larger than mine. One of my problems is, I have gone from having a partner who was directly responsible for sales (and has a degree in sales and marketing) to having to do both sales and production. I am a stay at home mom who is good with a computer and a laser. LOL I am having to learn about the sales end of it on the fly. So I have to really learn to look at situations and networking "outside the box" and that's where I struggle. That's why this forum and it's members are so incredibly valuable to me....cathing me up on my huge learning curve . LOL

From:	UncleSteve	20 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	10 of 29

4642.10 In reply to 4642.9
What I was saying, especially if they are much larger than you, is they could be introducing your products and then down the road buy their own equipment and drop you as a "supplier". Not saying they will, but I have seen it too many times including some reports right here in the forum a way back. "My Karma ran over your Dogma!"

From:	AnthonyC	20 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	11 of 29

4642.11 In reply to 4642.9

Hey Becky

Forget about Uncle Steve, he is Evil but a very shrewd business man.
I think he will explain what he meant.

There is no problem just starting out. That's why I asked the questions I did.

What are you trying to achieve?

And let's move from there

BR Anthony

www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	20 Aug 2006
To:	AnthonyC	13 of 29

4642.13 In reply to 4642.6
quote: I deal from an abundance mindset, never a scarcity mindset. Anthony, That statement should be self-explanatory, but could you provide examples of the two mindsets? David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 20 Aug 2006 by DGL

From:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	20 Aug 2006
To:	AnthonyC	15 of 29

4642.15 In reply to 4642.11

Anthony-
I have always been of the mindset (right or wrong) that when a customer asks you if you can do something, the answer is always "yes"
You figure out how, after the customer leaves.

What I am looking for is a local supplier of quality embroidery so that I can expand my product line without spending a dime on equipment or staff. Likewise, I am looking for someone with a similar interest who would be interested in carrying my products either as custom wholesale "outsourced" items or retail items in their storefront.

Those were my expectations when I was first given the lead and thought about trying to set up a meeting. If those thoughts and expectations are either too unrealistic or too narrow (meaning I could do more with such a business contact), that would be good information to have going into it. LOL
B

From:	UncleSteve	20 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	16 of 29

4642.16 In reply to 4642.15
Becky, I am not saying they will play the game, but just keep in mind that it takes many thousands of dollars in equipment to just get started with multi-head/multi-color embroidery and there is a large learning curve with the digitizing, etc. Engraving, while not quick and easy to become an expert, can be started up with more than acceptable output on many basic products for a couple of thousand for a good, used rotary engraver. Tie that in with some graphic experience with Corel and it can be productive and profitable as an add-on in a relatively short period of time. Just provided as a suggestion to keep your eyes open. Your side of the deal to offer embroidery is a great idea since caps and shirts go very well with sports and awards. "My Karma ran over your Dogma!"

From:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	20 Aug 2006
To:	UncleSteve	17 of 29

4642.17 In reply to 4642.16
UncleSteve- Thanks for the heads up. I wasn't really considering that as a possibility..I am too naive to think about things from that perspective. LOL It's certainly much better to go into it aware of all possibilities. Thanks!!

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	21 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	18 of 29

4642.18 In reply to 4642.17
Becky, Regardless of start-up costs, for various processes, I think you'll find more people looking to enter a win-win relationship, (with both sides providing what the other company doesn't offer) than those looking to cut you out of the will, after you've helped them establish a market. It does happen, but you'll see the writing on the wall, before it does. If you're making money hand-over-fist, from a single customer, expect them to consider buying a machine and doing the work in-house. In fact, you may hear your "business partner" thinking out loud, as to if they should do so. Otherwise, bringing a new process in-house means buying more equipment, going through another learning curve and possibly hiring more people. Most people won't do that, to make a few hundred dollars a month. It doesn't make $ense. You're their hero. :-) David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	AnthonyC	21 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	19 of 29

4642.19 In reply to 4642.18
Hey Becky, Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but IÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ve been swamped. I have a suggestion. I now this meeting is important to you. And could mean quite a revenue windfall if you get it. Why donÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t we set up a time to talk about my crazy ideas and IÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ll record the call. Should take about half an hour. That way everyone gets to learn from your experience. E-mail me at results@ultimate-marketing-solutions.com if it sounds interesting. IÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢m on East Coast time. Let me know Anthony PS David IÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ll be happy to explain when I clear this abundance flood! ;-) www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com

From:	AnthonyC	23 Aug 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	20 of 29

4642.20 In reply to 4642.10

Hi David,
Here is the link for the MP3 of the consultation call I did with Becky this morning. http://www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com/audio.html

It mainly deals with setting up joint ventures and tapping into a companyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s customer base.

I also mention Abundance thinking a bit in the call. Let me know if youÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢d still like me to expand on it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best Regards
Anthony Coyne
Ultimate Marketing Solutions

NB The 20% commission I mention in the call is a 1 time payment not on a continual basis.

www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	23 Aug 2006
To:	AnthonyC	21 of 29

4642.21 In reply to 4642.20
Thank you Anthony. I'm not much of a technofile. Is that link somehow downloadable to MP3 players? I'll give it a listen. :-) David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	AnthonyC	23 Aug 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	22 of 29

4642.22 In reply to 4642.21
David, Yes. If you right click the link and select "Save Target as" (Just make sure you know where to find it. And then download it to your MP3 player. HTH Anthony www.ultimate-marketing-solutions.com

From:	Barbara (RGILE)	23 Aug 2006
To:	UncleSteve	23 of 29

4642.23 In reply to 4642.10
My thinking was right along with yours. I would be afraid that they might see all the potential, and realize that they should tap into it themselves. Barbara Sample RGile Engravers

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	23 Aug 2006
To:	Becky (KIAIJANE)	24 of 29

4642.24 In reply to 4642.21
Becky, Thank you for letting us eaves drop. :-) Excellent advice that I'm sure many of us haven't thought of, or implemented. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	23 Aug 2006
To:	AnthonyC	25 of 29

4642.25 In reply to 4642.22
Thank you Anthony. I listened at my computer, although it would be great to listen, while driving or doing some other task simultaneously. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	23 Aug 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	26 of 29

4642.26 In reply to 4642.25

To the other 2 Mac users on the forum, who don't have a "right click" option, go to Anthony's download page, where you can "click and drag" the title of the discussion to your desktop. :-)

Edit: Oops! Posted to myself. Maybe there's only one of us. :-$

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

EDITED: 23 Aug 2006 by DGL