Framing studio?

[Roddick]

After working in a frame shop for the past 10 years, I am finally considering going out on my own. I want to open a studio and frame mainly for corporate clients and commercial galleries. I would not have a store front, and I would rely on word-of-mouth business and repeat clients...by appointment. Is there anyone out there who has done something similar?

Any advice is appreciated,
K. Allen

 

[JFeig]

Without a store front to allow for "walk in" clients the importance of a complete business plan is more than necessary. Part of this plan should be a study and developement of pricing policies (shall we all say discounts or no discounts).

Make sure that you have a good plan as well as a cash reserve to hold you over until the cash comes in that it is self sustaining for the business. I would also make a few feelers for corporate contacts prior to plunking down the cash if you have alreaady not done so.

With all that said, may you be blessed with good luck in this new venture as a member of the self employeed.

 

[Ron Eggers]

Word-of-mouth is a wonderful thing. I rely pretty heavily on it myself.

The only problem is it takes a very long time to get it rolling and it requires lots of happy mouths before it even starts.

Figure on another marketing strategy for the first ten years or so.

Good luck and welcome to The Grumble. Brace yourself for some responses - to this and other questions - that you don't want to hear.

 

[JRB]

This would make sense, sort of, if you already have established a customer base. That begs the question if your answer is "yes", just how did you get this customer base?

OK, ethics aside. What is your motivation for an appointment only operation? You don't want to work unless you have to?

I don't want to be mean, but why on earth would you want to turn down work from the retail trade?

My thinking is this, if you have to spend the money on equipment, adding a store front would not cost all that much more. You could have your commercial accounts but you could also be getting the retail accounts as well, which by the way, can be very profitable if done correctly.

I have found over the years that for some reason, when commercial sales drop off, retail sales seem to pick up, and visa versa. Putting all your eggs in one basket just plain doesn't seem prudent to me.

I know there are a lot of shops in California that are very successful at doing just that though. As a new start up , I don't think I would want to risk turning anything down.

Like I said, if you already have the customer base, then go for it, should work out great for you.

John

 

[Roddick]

Thanks for your replies everybody,

I would be open for retail clients, but because I don't want a storefront, they would have to be willing to make appointments.

The reasons for not wanting a storefront are that I will be running the place by myself. If I have to pick-up supplies, make deliveries, or do installations, I can leave the shop as needed.

Also, where I live, rents are VERY high for retail space. I could get a studio space for a fraction of the cost of retail space.

I guess I have the idea of making people feel that they are getting the absolute best quality in framing possible. and if I can dedicate a certain amount of time just for them, (not juggle ten customers at a time) and do high-quality work, they'll hopefully come back and stay loyal.

Anymore input is greatly appreciated.

K. Allen

 

[Colleen]

K-Allen in B.C.
I have a picture framing studio in Alaska and it works out great. Our house is adjacent to the retail district, and I'm currently able to use about 1500 sq. feet for my business. Our city encourages home based businesses. We have over 800,000 tourists visit each summer so I do a lot of framing for the local galleries. I advertize in the yellow pages and in the weekly paper,and my cliental base is over 1600. I'm open by appointment only, but try to work regular hours. It's nice to have the flexibility to close down if needed. I encourage you to go for it! You can definitely be a professional picture framer without a store front.

 

[Barb Pelton]

K-Allen,

I suppose you are the only one who can really decide if that will work for you. But if you really do your homework beforehand and can anticipate any objections people will have about using you, as well as have an realistic idea of how much work it will entail on your part, then you will know if you are truly up for it.

Framing "studios" (I like that term) have been very successful in my town; I believe there are 2 solid ones, and 1 other that is maybe just surviving. I worked out of my home by appointment only for 4 years, and I developed a solid customer base so that when I went into a store front, there was less risk than a person opening up brand new. There are many people here that either started out in their home, or work out of their home or studio now, or run a retail operation alone--there's always more than one answer.

Welcome to the grumble, and keep us posted. Good luck in your endeavor!