Author Topic: Top things I've leaned opening up a custom print & retail store.  (Read 1162 times)

Offline Dottonedan

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#1, Every time the business line rings and you get excited don't.  It's just a telemarketer wanting to sell you security or credit card service.


#2, We do have much business to be had for someone who is set up to do 1 custom printed shirt.


#3, We do have much business to be had for someone who is set up to do 1 custom embroidered shirt with a complicated logo.


#4, You will be out of your mind and go out of business in days for the price you want for one custom shirt. So I was told.


#4, People bring in the strangest things that they want you to do something on when they find out your an artist.


#5, The freaks really do come out at night.


#6, Streamline everything. Especially the quoting process.


#7, The Chamber is pretty much like a college fraternity and sorority combined.


#8, Make friends, not enemies with the City. Everything goes much more smoothly.


#9, Get your processes, checks and balances in place NOW, before taking orders.  ::) 


#10, It's not worth your time driving to pick up and take shirts to a contract shop 50 min. away. Ship it.


#11,  When you want or need to do anything, it's going to cost $300.00 minimum. Bank on it.


#12, You don't need to be a part of and attend every business related function that the City, Chamber and Historical program puts on but try to participate in every other three.

#12,  Being able to do your own sim process art and your own sim process seps in house is invaluable and can give you a major leg up on other printers in my area. In a pinch, you can drum up new business by creating designs for potentials. A time risk, but apparently beneficial. At the least, it opens the door for more conversations about options.
Artist & high end separator, Owner of The Vinyl Hub, Owner of Dot-Tone-Designs, Past M&R Digital tech installer for I-Image machines. Over 35 yrs in the apparel industry. e-mail art@designsbydottone.com


Offline mooseman

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Re: Top things I've leaned opening up a custom print & retail store.
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2013, 06:28:43 AM »
Dan,
That is a VERY GOOD list, you missed a couple but you will be able to add them on soon ;)

here are a couple....

You will learn  bunch about your potential customer by simply watching how they park their car in front of your buisness. ::)

the customers with the longest and sadest front story about the item they need and why are the ones who will expext to pay the least for your goods & services.

People can't tell time especially around hilidays, birthdays, and other  siginificant events that relate to their life and the shirt they need to commerate it.

People will demonstrate remarkable memories about the tee last tee shirt they bought from some guy 20 years ago. they will brag about how much they love that shirt and give you the opportunity to renew their happiness for them  AT THE SAME PRICES THEY REMEMBER FROM 20 YEARS AGO. ???

You will be surprised at how much your customers know about what you should have in stock / on retail especially when they tell you they have been all over looking for EXACTLY what you also do not have >:(


I could go on but I don't want to spoil your anticipation and surprise...it gets better ;)
mooseman 
 
DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES COMPLETELY WITHIN MY CONTROL YOU SHOULD GET YOUR OWN TEE SHIRT AND A SHARPIE MARKER BY NOON TOMORROW OR SIMPLY CALL SOMEONE WHO GIVES A SHIRT.