Thursday, February 25, 2010

A lesson learned in seeking out vendors

I am putting together ideas for different ways to market my photo art, from photo paper to canvas works and even printed on metal (awesome by the way) and Plexiglas. I have worked with local vendors, national and even one international.

The following are some of my learnings;

First and foremost, sample it. I have had to absorb a bit of expense with sampling some products but in the long run it has saved me some serious heartburn.

Visit with many vendors, you never know who you will just fit with and what will work out. I have one vendor that does exquisite work…with out a doubt the best quality bar none. Issue is they price me out as the middle man. If I were to go directly to retail their incredible art work, I would do ok but to wholesale, I lose my shorts. I know, I am selling on ST Maarten so who needs shorts? I do!!!! I will use this vendor for a few items where it makes sense.

Have a second vendor that is like me fairly small potatoes. Very good to work with but draw backs are things like, I have shipping expenses so what ever it costs there is a small mark up just to get it to me as is a few states away. I have at least one product in mind that this vendor makes well and is worth me using.

Third vendor is a local ad agency. They are fantastic for my lower end products and some specialty printing they do is out of this world. I think they will get the bulk of my business. They are close by so I save on shipping and get very good prices and turn around time.

Fourth vendor is the vendor from hell. This is my international vendor, I tried a number of products. They misspelled words…that they spelled correctly in other places. Put logos on products crooked and even lopped off heads on simple photos. I have to wait weeks for these orders to complete and ship. Last item took them four full weeks to get to me. By the time I add shipping and time….these guys are simply unacceptable for product.

I am currently working low quantity and that is part of my expense with an over seas vendor. If I were ordering 2500 or more of an item and knew the quality was decent, then I would be in good shape with using the over seas vendor.

Rob is building his business on shoestrings so doesn’t have an extra 10K at hand to be able to order quantities like that so I guess I will work with my “local” vendors.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Look for this flyer on island soon




I sent several copies of this flyer with one of my friends today as they headed for ST Martin/ST Maarten.

If you have some free time that evening I would love to meet you.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I've commited to a show!

Moved forward with my business that is. I am now officially scheduled for a meet the photo artist evening at TiJon Parfumerie in Grand Case on the evening of April 27.

For anyone on island that wants to stop in and say hi, meet me or even just come and visit the shop, this would be a great opportunity. Flyers have been printed and will be en-rute to the island tomorrow..gulp. Rob has to prepare to meet folks. This is a bit unnerving as well as just plain fun.

Next on the agenda is to gather a few more interesting shots from around the island that are unique. I have a load of the normal beauty shots. I want to bring those and some unique ones as well.

This trip will be super short, only on island 3 full days but I will have so much to do.
Will be meeting with a friend that is going to introduce me to some folks on front street for some sales opportunities too. This will of course be using my pix but not necessarily as art prints. I still have a bunch of work to do but the advertisement component has at least started.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The stage is set

Tickets purchased….Check
Room booked……....Check
Car reserved………..Check
Phone reserved……..Check

Now the rest is well, up to me. I have a date to roll out Antilles Treasures photo art.
That will be April 27, 2010 at TiJon Perfumery in Grand Case, Saint Martin in the French West Indies. That evening my friends John and Cyndi are willing to host a meet the artist night. Now I am working furiously on my art. Have several prints already in development but want to get them all set up and ready to go by mid March.

I then will spend a couple of days with the merchants in Philipsburg Sint Maarten (Dutch West Indies) same island. Working on creating some products for them such as smaller prints and trinkets that catch the eye of tourists that are not as much into the art component of what I have. I am real behind on this one but will be working thru the weekend to feverishly catch up. Still have to pick out the products, have samples made and purchase in a small quantity items to take with me.

It is exciting but a bit stressful though I realize nothing ventured nothing gained and my dear wife is willing to support me on this so here we go….

I am currently doing some more mundane things like creating a meet the artist poster in English and French to be distributed and hung on the island. Getting together ordering forms and making new business cards. Lots of fun things that will leave me needing a vacation when I return from my trip to the islands.

I hope to have my website up and running by April 24th, before I board the plane to ST Maarten.

Wish me luck all……

Monday, February 8, 2010

Who Dat?

No not talking about the New Orleans Saints....congrats on your championship however! I honestly think most of the football loving country was cheering for you last night...

My Who Dat is about a friend...

Today I had to cut loose one of my friends. He isn’t a close friend but was one none the less. It was time for me to call INS and have this guy sent home. Yes, I did that to one of my friends…. Wonder who he was?? I will tell you he was my friend Jose. We have had some fun together but every time he thinks I'm not paying attention to him this dude sneaks up on me and whacks me in the head, steals my money and then leaves laughing while I am left with no more than an empty wallet and a massive headache. He came to my super bowl party last night and was friends to all but once again when I least expected it, like a scene from the 1060’s batman tv show….Whack, Pow! Clocked again. This morning I deciced that I have had enough and made the call….Yes my friend Jose it is time for you to go, never again to be welcome in my house or hanging out with me. So as of today, Jose Cuervo is no longer a friend of mine. Back into the bottle you bastard…and be gone!!!