Marc Bluestone -- LIVE! IN PERSON! at Ft. Myers Beach, FL !!!!

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BILL WARD

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Posts
2,451
Loc
Tampa, FL
PPFA Sunshine Chapter's June Summer Seminars
www.ppfasunshinechapter.com

Marc Bluestone(SUNDAY June 22) A-N-D you can sit for the CPF exams(SATURDAY June 21)!!! All in the SAME weekend!!!

Sunday's Speaker is:
Marc Bluestone who has been involved in the picture framing industry for more than 15 years. He recently completed the sale of the business he founded in 1994 that operates a chain of custom framing stores, a commercial framing division and an internet-based art sales business.

Prior to starting his own business in 1994, Marc was director of operations for a large retail business and vice-president of a publicly traded retail company.

These days, Marc uses his extensive experience to provide consulting services to business owners and is a sought after speaker at business conferences and trade events where he is well known for providing practical, progressive and actionable advice. He is also a writer for Picture Framing Magazine. See his article in this months issue.
**************************************
Saturday, June 21
9:00am – 1:00pm
CPF Exam

5:00pm – 7:00pm
Saturday Night Social :beer:
**************************************
Sunday, June 22
9:00am – 11:00am(W/Continental Breakfast)
What Store Owners Need to Know

11:15pm – 12:30pm
Adapting to a Changing Industry

12:30pm – 1:30pm
Lunch on Your Own

1:30pm – 4:00pm
How to Get More Customers

**************************************

You MUST RSVP for classes by Monday, June16th to ensure you receive a class work book.
Please RSVP to Julie Camp at 239-369-1629 Check, VISA and M/C accepted

Seminar Cost
$75 members / $85 non members
CPF Exam Cost
$225 members / $325 non members

Room Availability
The Pink Shell Resort
275 Estero Blvd.,
Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931
239-463-6181
is holding a limited number of
rooms for both Friday and Saturday night stays.
Rooms are $149pn for small and $179pn for large one bedroom.
Reservations must be made by May 15th to guarantee availability at the above rates.


Detailed directions may be found at

www.pinkshell.com/directions.cfm
 
thanks for the info , Bill....will see you there or sure..also remind everyone that the comp piece will be avail there also.
 
Don't miss this one.

This will be a rare opportunity to pick one of the best business brains in our industry. I attend his classes whenever possible and always take home a fresh perception. I wish I could go.
 
FramingFool said:
God Help Us from self-appointed gurus.
Click to expand...

Self-appointed?

No.

Marc Bluestone has earned his place in our industry by building a successful framing business, and by generously helping several thousand of us over a period of years.

In my humble opinion, your provocative statement says more about you than it does about him, and it contributes to hostility that serves no good purpose here.

It's no wonder he and several other leaders in our industry avoid your kind of abuse by staying away from The Grumble.
 
Always good to hear an opinion uninfluenced by:

3M,ASAPTapes,AttachEZ,Bainbridge,Bienfang,Crescent ,Decor,DigitalCustom,Gemini,Fletcher-Terry,Kinetronics,Larson-Juhl,PFM,PicturePerfect,Pilm,Showcase,Tru-Vue,Valiani,WallBuddies, and others.
 
I've spent some time with Marc Bluestone (and Jim Miller, for that matter) and neither one deserves to be negatively labeled by anyone in our industry.

If you want to learn from someone who has actually made this business work, listen to Marc. If you'd rather stay stupid, that's your right.

I just hope it's not contagious.
 
FramingFool said:
Always good to hear an opinion uninfluenced by:

3M,ASAPTapes,AttachEZ,Bainbridge,Bienfang,Crescent ,Decor,DigitalCustom,Gemini,Fletcher-Terry,Kinetronics,Larson-Juhl,PFM,PicturePerfect,Pilm,Showcase,Tru-Vue,Valiani,WallBuddies, and others.
Click to expand...

Marc Bluestone's teaching has influenced my opinion, and I recommend it for all framing business owners.
 
come on guys! we are all allowed to have our opinions about anything/everything. You are in contention with someone hiding behind the fake/false name of framingFOOL!!!!! that in & of itself should give you all the clues you need, yes?

Fool, in future, when you feel this need to vent, please do so in your own thread!
You seem to have many, many unresolved issues with this business & the world in general.......please do EVERYONE a big service &, immediately, seek professional counseling...I believe it is most desparately needed.
 
Well, if nothing else the Fools contentiousness is keeping the thread near the top, could be a good marketing scheme. I had to beg Paul Cascio to cause a rumble in my thread announcing Brian Wolf coming to Denver.

You would be a FOOL not to attend any class with Marc Bluestone speaking.
 
One last observation:

- I've been to Bluestone seminars (dunno why ... I was sucked into it)
A grander waste of time and money has yet to be discovered .... info that was taught/learned/appropriated from mentors YEARS ago. Left 3/4 through.

- Should have known after 25 years of hospital administration that, with few exceptions, "seminars" means a way for someone with a modicum of experience to capitalize on occupying a chair from absolute neophytes.

- Have never been to a seminar that I felt taught me anything I didn't already know ... maybe some of these "new age framers" should stick to driving for Rite-Way trucking and let it go at that.

- I'm always amazed how many perifieral incomes are provided to these "saviours of framing" by any number of ancillary businesses, just by showing up. (RE: Jim Miller's list of "associates")

- Finally, I find it interesting that the cattle mentality reigns as supreme as it does here ...(or maybe I'm not). If one guru is offended, well then, he MUST be right.

Independent thought lives elsewhere.


PS: my therapist agrees..... ;)


PPS: Haven't quite sunk to insulting one's name yet .... don't plan to (higher ethics and all, don't ya know).

PPS: What's the name of the guy that sells the Orange Zapper or whatever it is on info-mercials..? Some of the Framing Saviours might consider that as an option.
 
I usually run the other way when I see the herd mentality in action because I hate that but in this case you have insulted 2 people who have given me personal vey useful advice so I like to think of it as standing up for somebody rather than piling on.

Once again you seem to have a disdain for the industry in general. Either that or somebody has once again peed in your Froot Loops, Cheerios, Wheaties, Grape nuts etc. If you have never gleaned a thing from any class you have ever attended perhaps you know it all and should be teaching one of those classes. Or possibly a learning disability?

With the name "Fool" it just begs to be pointed out when you are posting in a foolish way.

Okay, all done. I go in peace and wish you a great day!
 
Your avatar speaks volumes.

I distinction has to be drawn between "insults" and "statements of truth".
I stand behind my experiences. If these seminars reap benefits for you, terrific.

I'm always suspicious of those who profess to be fonts of knowledge. You can't "buy" that knowledge from a slick entrepreneour (count 'em); experience is the only teacher.

If you're not committed to learn from experience, keep driving trucks.
 
Marc is one person that would probably agree that self-appointed gurus are indeed a problem

Having said that May I nominate Marc as Guru Extraordinare

There, he is no longer (nor ever was) self-apponted

I am fortunate to rub elbows with some of the brighest in our trade. None is any brighter than Marc. I am fortunate to visit with him often at the shows and I listen much more than talk and always learn something. If you found his presentation "a grand waste of time" may I ask how you rate your time here?

Perhaps a better statement might be "I have little patience for self-appointed critics with no gravitas of their own"

For the other 99% out there, Marc is worth your time

Trust me
 
Gosh FF, If you hold the people that teach and the members of the Grumble in such grand disregard why on earth do you sully yourself by mingling with us. Seems to me that if you truly do know it all, you are stooping fairly low just for sport.
If you have some constructive criticism I'm sure that folks would be glad to lend an ear, but if all you have to offer is your disdain, I'm sure we can help you find the exit.

One thing I have learned here is to never argue with a (framing) fool...they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
 
I actually used to work for Marc in his stores he recently sold. I enjoyed many talks with him and was always impressed with hit wit and business savvy. He was always open and willing to discuss different aspects of the business even though I was just a "designer" and a "framer". A lot of people think big box retailers wouldn't or couldn't make a framing company successful simply because they "don't know framing". He has a keen business sense that can apply to selling shoes or to a specialized trade like framing and is proof that this just isn't true. I would be delighted to hear him speak at a seminar.

And as far as being influenced by major suppliers, well we all USE these supplies, don't we? It would be ignorant of us to blindly purchase these supplies and services without any relationship with the company they come from. And it would be equally ignorant to refuse to carry items simply because they seem overly marketed. I mean, if it doesn't work for you that's fine. But with all the products and services out there available to help us all make our businesses great it can be overwhelming. And it would be good to hear from someone with the experience to explain how it can work for you so you can have an educated opinion about these companies.
 
I thought, a while ago, that I learned everything I need to know from my own experience. Then I discovered I could also benefit from the experience of others who have successfully done what I was trying to do.

That doesn't seem like such a difficult concept.
 
Have at it, folks .... my goal was never to convince anyone of anything .... merely to express a point of view .... so much for independent thought.

One's life is an accumulation of experiences .... I've been down a lot of roads ... one of them is related to what we do here.

Along the way, I notice stuff .... and I comment upon it.

Take it for what you want; my path is winding down, and I felt that some uncomfortable thoughts may have been of benefit ... watch your back; don't buy into it all.

And be suspicious of those who Know It All ..... They Don't.
 
I'm all about independent thought, I even have one myself from time to time. Problem is you chose to do it in this thread. Some people have worked really hard to pull this event together and here you are saying what a waste of time it is. I guess I am particularly sensitive because I work to trick, I mean encourage our members to attend these events. If you had possibly started a thread discussing your feelings it would have been more legitimate to me. From where I sit, you are just throwing sour grapes.
 
well now...if I was not already going to this seminar I would sure do so after all of this ****...I think I know a lot about business, being 65 yrs old and having started and sold 4 different businesses over the years, I have not yet been to any seminar, class, or think tank session whre I didn't learn a heck of a lot and where I will continue to do so just to "keep up" with the times....anyone who is willing to share their experience and knowledge does not this kind of response to that effort...my 2.5 cents worth///
 
FramingFool said:
...I'm always suspicious of those who profess to be fonts of knowledge....
Click to expand...

FramingFool said:
...Have never been to a seminar that I felt taught me anything I didn't already know ... .
Click to expand...

To wit: You're always suspicious of those who have the audacity to offer you information, and no seminar instructor has succeeded in teaching you anything. This is beginning to make sense.

FramingFool said:
...experience is the only teacher...
If you're not committed to learn from experience, keep driving trucks.
Click to expand...

With a respectful nod to the hard-working people who earn an honorable living driving trucks, the merits of organized education are quite well established.

If experience really were the only teacher, your work as a hospital administrator might have been much different, as the doctors would have been busy learning by experience on their patients.

Come to think of it, doctors go to seminars in order to learn from the experiences of other doctors. It is interesting that you worked in hospitals and didn't recognize the value of that kind of specialized learning.

Just as doctors learn from other doctors long after they become proficient in most facets of their medical practice, proficient framers -- even those of long experience -- can learn from other framers.

This thread is supposed to be about what's going on in Florida: Framers learning from the experiences of other framers. No fooling.
 
"the doctors would have been busy learning by experience on their patients"

but Jim, isn't THAT why it's called "practicing" medicine(& practicing law, etc)??????????????? :confused: never really understood how that phrasology came to be/stayed around. I do know that they do, in fact, learn by experience on their patients.....and so does any vocation---it's called experience???
 
BILL WARD said:
"the doctors would have been busy learning by experience on their patients"

but Jim, isn't THAT why it's called "practicing" medicine(& practicing law, etc)??????????????? :confused:
Click to expand...

Here's one dictionary definition of practice:
"...the exercise or pursuit of a profession or occupation".

Maybe it's called practice because there's always more to learn about it. In contrast, we practice riding a bike or tying shoes only for a short time before we become proficient. Then it isn't practice anymore; it's habit.

But medicine, law, and lots of other endeavors -- including framing -- are not like tying shoes. That is, no matter how long one practices framing, there will always be more to know about doing the work better, faster, more competitively, more profitably.

That's why framers (and doctors and lawyers) go to seminars. To learn something more. If it didn't work for them, they would stop doing it, but that isn't likely to happen in our lifetimes, is it?

Please tell Mr. Bluestone I said hello.
 
just bumping this---as this is going to cost the chapter a little more $$ than usual, so we can use all the exposure AND applicants we can muster!!!!!!!!!
All non PPFA'ers are cordially invited. We have had, as I tally it, some 18 framing/gallery businesses in this state, close their front doors --- SINCE the new year---NOT a very good %age....just lost 3 in the ft meyers area, this month....BET THERE ISN'T ONE(1) BIZ THAT CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE CLASSES!!!
On the positive side...we got an inquiry from someone/somewhere in the Caribbean to take the CPF exam! now THAT's perseverance! Any other takers out there????????????????????????
 
tell 'em 50% off every day----you'll only bring in $1mil!
 
reserved rooms 'special' pricing ends today!

and for all you wanting a room SAT night----

A VERY Bright reminder for us all... Today is the cut off for RSVP's to Pink Shell for rooms. $149 for the smaller rm and $179 for the lg one. We still have many available.
 
bumping this for the last time AND reminding everyone in FLA that time IS of the essence for reserving your class space!!!!!!!!!!!(we must know, ASAP, how many are attending)...

please read about our current seminar offering---Mark Bluestone. we have him for 1(one) day--JUNE 22--that's a SUNDAY(you remember it? it's the day where you routinely don't open the shop---and I don't wish to hear any whining about how THAT is your only day off!!!)

we still have 6-8 rooms to let and many many many class room positions open-----
:soapbox:
final note to all PPFA members(NOT from the board or PPFA but from ME-Bill Ward)----your organization is obligated to pay for ALL the meeting facilities AND the speaker's fee AND the speaker's travel AND the speaker's expenses whether you support the effort(by attending these functions) or not .WHAT???? you thought these things just happened???? you thought they were free???? not in this century!!!
:bdh:I am and have been truly saddened by the lack of support shown time & time again by the majority of Fla members. The thing I keep wondering is why did ya'all join PPFA????? just so you can put that little membership sticker up in your place of biz??????????? Heck, if THAT'S all it's worth to you, you can save yourself the $50 every year(& the 'trouble' of the join up/rejoin process) and capture it in your computer, change the year and print it on you office printer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! visit another shop who still joins up so you can get the 'correct' year's colors.........who's gonna know the difference??????

OR did you join PPFA hoping that your organization will help bring info/knowledge to the state and all the members therein????? the state chapter has been attempting to do just THAT by offering these venues thru out the year!!!!!! what we NEEEEED & must have, from you, is your support at those venues!!!!!! Your organization needs AND deserves your participatioon AND support --- without that, there is no 'organization'
 
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