From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#54]
24 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#52] 25 Feb 2005
David,
As a newbie, I personally think that I would get more out of an event that "didn't try to sell me something" . Other than education. It could be like one giant mentoring session. I don't know. Just a thought.
Chuck
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55]
24 Feb 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#50] 24 Feb 2005
David,
In regard to what you said to Sprinter....
"Sprinter,
We will only be charging a fee to defray the hard costs of this get together. The costs associated with renting hotel meeting room(s), video projection equipment rental, printed handouts, refreshments, etc. "
It seems to me that David Lavaneri mentioned we were just going to hold the event at your house and we would all sleep on the floor. You intend to charge for that? ( Insert Laugh here)
Chuck
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#56]
24 Feb 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55] 25 Feb 2005
Chuck,
Sleeping on my basement floor would beat the heck out of Dave Loda's offer to sleep in the barn with his mules. The only four-legger you'd have to sleep with is our friendly little Corgi.
From: sprinter [#57]
24 Feb 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55] 25 Feb 2005
I actually live in the KC area, I have plenty of room and would even serve breakfast:) And of course it would be "FREE" :)
From: aallen [#58]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#52] 25 Feb 2005
Your right finding that niche has been the thing for me to figure out this last year. I think I have mine figured out, but now have to work out the details and get it started. The niche is different for everyone. We all have strengths to work from.
Put me down, I will be there, I am only about 2 hours away!
Our barn doesn't have the mules, but it has horses, mini donkies, llama and a few goats! They might not share their room though! The can be stuborn!
I would like to see the hands on demonstrations.
Thanks,
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#59]
25 Feb 2005
To: sprinter [#57] 25 Feb 2005
OK, you're beginning to make sense :-)
I think it should be free. In order to make that happen, we'll have to strip the idea down to the marrow.
No limit on attendance, other than what the venue will allow. Since you're in the area, is there any such thing as a town hall? Elks Club, etc., etc?
I'd like to open the event to the general public of the area, especially the unemployed. In fact, that would be my desire for future seminars. Go to areas of the country which have been hit hard by outsourcing of jobs and industries.
With that in mind, my presentation will be "Ya Gotta Start Somewhere."
Becoming self-employed, can be a daunting and overwhelming proposition. Especially if a person holds the mindset, there's no use in heading down that road without the latest, greatest, state-of-the-art equipment.
That's a ridiculous notion, and tantamount to saying, "I refuse to learn to drive, because I can't afford a Lamborghini."
Who better to deliver that message, than a person with absolutely no previous business experience, a person who, to this day, continues to run a home-based business, void of state-of-the-art equipment, virtually no advertising budget and rarely hands out a business card?
According to conventional business wisdom, I've broken every-single-fundamental-rule, and by rights, should be bankrupt.
Of course, that doesn't explain how I'm not only able to exist, but thrive, in an area of the world, which arguably, has one of the highest costs of living.
There's no complicated formula to what I've done right, and that's been keeping a keen eye on producing a unique and quality product/service, at a fair (not cheap) price, and running a business based on what I demand from absolutely everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, in my personal and business life -- Integrity.
For those unfamiliar with the word -- Integrity = Doing the right thing, when nobody's watching.
If necessary, I'll bankroll the entire event. Afterall, everything of value shouldn't bear a price tag.
Should it?
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 25 Feb 2005 by DGL
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#60]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#59] 25 Feb 2005
I'm looking forward to meeting you more all the time David.
Chuck
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#61]
25 Feb 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#60] 25 Feb 2005
Thank you Chuck. The feeling is mutual.
I apologize to the forum for the sarcastic tidbits contained in my previous post.
The message was genuine enough. I just get a little exasperated with people who aren't seeing the long-term goals I'm hoping to achieve.
It's not their fault.
Some of those goals, I'm keeping close to my vest, simply because I'm not a fan of vaporware. Rest assured, money generated through a pay model will be used to further my goals, which will be of extreme benefit to all.
In true fashion, I won't waste anyone's time in attempting to duplicate a wheel that's already been invented.
It's never been my way in the engraving business. It will never be my way in the Education business.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 26 Feb 2005 by DGL
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#62]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#59] 26 Feb 2005
David,
you wrote: "Go to areas of the country which have been hit hard by outsourcing of jobs and industries."
That may mean the next event is here in Wichita - They just announced that BOEING WICHITA's plant (as well as Tulsa & McCallister, OK) was sold to a Canadian firm........hopefully they intend to grow the business not shutter it.
I'm Kinda worried here! The economy really has not started to grow like the analyst have been saying and now this......
Boeing IS the Wichita economy.
But I will see you in Vegas & KC
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#63]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#61] 26 Feb 2005
David,
As we all know, nothing of real value is put together with no cost involved and it can be covered in a number of ways.
You might take a page out of the manual (ha!) used to put on the original Beach Party two years ago in Vegas. Cherie and her committee had a number of vendors that sponsered the event and for their money they got exposure in the way of a banner displayed in the room and recognition in any printed matter issued at the event, ie, newsletter.
The event had a substantial cost due to the food and beverage being provided, and the entertainment. Your event can certainly live on without these items making it less expensive.
This event was not over powered, nor was it empasized by any vendor in particular, but the subtle recognition was there. As a participant in the banner program, I felt that I more than got my money's worth and was happy to be able to defray some of the costs involved.
I have never . myself,had a problem paying for any training programs that I've attended, but, have had a problem when the training is put on by one vendor and becomes one long sales pitch for their product and their product only at my expense.
When I read about how engravers have shop rates that run in the $100's per hour, I shake my head in wonderment when they shun a fee for a learning base such as this forum and/or a training program such as you are suggesting.
If you decide to involve some vendor participation, please add me to that list so that I may consider your proposal.
Doug
PS, I apolgize for any spelling errors, I have discovered that the spell checker does not work under Firefox, but, I think you were able to read past them!
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#64]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#61] 26 Feb 2005
David,
I have just spent the entire day reading this post (Ha Ha). I did not see anything regarding the ULS systems. Is there any interest in this issue (maintenance etc.).
All though I am in Sunny So. Cal. or is that Soggy So. Cal I would like to discuss the possibilities of representing the Universal line. I do not want to get into a "Trade Show Situation" why is theres better than yours. But I do think I can educate ULS owners regarding there equipment.
Tips, Techniques, Maintenance, Repairs, Etc. and would consider it if needed.
A trip to Branson!!! Well it would have to be worth it for that but it is not out of the question.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#65]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#61] 26 Feb 2005
Personally David I do not think you said anything that requires an apology.
Either way, I'll see you in Vegas. I have you cell number, I'll send you mine. Lets make time for a beer.
Chuck
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#66]
25 Feb 2005
To: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#64] 25 Feb 2005
Mike,
I can't speak for David L., for he is the one that is ultimately driving this bus. I've got one foot in the door and the other one dragging in the street. In other words, I know enough of what is going on to know that we have every intention of requesting participation from Universal in this educational extravaganza. In my opinion, we would be short-changing everyone by not doing so. You have just beat us to the punch.
The last I checked, Bill Grady was still the Kansas City area Universal rep. In addition to yourself, we had planned on contacting him about the event.
As we pin down the details, we'll be knockin' at your door.
EDITED: 25 Feb 2005 by DATAKES
From: Lisa (TROPHYUSA) [#67]
25 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#30] 26 Feb 2005
I won't be in Vegas, but I am all for a gathering. It sounds like a huge undertaking, though! Nonetheless, sign me up!
From: Lynn (LYNNDENO) [#68]
26 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#67] 26 Feb 2005
Ive been reading this thread and getting very excited about a midwestern educational live forum. Ive been in the embroidery business for 9 years and never miss the oppportunity to rub elbows and pick the brains of my peers.
I have only had a laser since last August and can't make the trip to LV.
So I'm dying to see this get off the ground this year, hopefully this summer or fall. Count me in also.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#69]
26 Feb 2005
To: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#64] 28 Feb 2005
Mike,
In order to address maintenance procedures of laser machines, is it necessary to have an actual machine on site?
How many people can we comfortably get around a machine?
Could there be a PowerPoint presentation, with pictures, that would sufficiently cover the topic?
I realize there are basics, which apply to any brand of equipment, but access to critical components varies from brand to brand.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#70]
26 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#69] 26 Feb 2005
David,
Most laser reps won't go anywhere without there laser in the back of the van so there shouldn't be a problem with them having one to work on.
Dave
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#71]
26 Feb 2005
To: Lisa (TROPHYUSA) [#67] 26 Feb 2005
Lisa,
I'm all for keeping it simple. A huge undertaking is what I'd like to avoid.
I'm afraid we're running the risk of getting bogged down in the fine points of the logistics and we'll remain in the "pipedream" stage.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 26 Feb 2005 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#72]
26 Feb 2005
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#70] 26 Feb 2005
Dave,
Here are my two concerns:
1) What if we have 100 attendees? The people directly next to the machine will have a birds-eye view. Beyond the "front-row seat", how many people will actually be able to see anything?
2) Are there city codes, Fire Dept. regulations, etc. that would make bringing the equipment into a building full of people an expensive or convoluted situation?
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 26 Feb 2005 by DGL
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#73]
26 Feb 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#72] 26 Feb 2005
David,
A digital video camera and projection system would be an option to give everyone in the room the same "Live" bird's eye view without having to hover over the machine.
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