Move Over, Jay Goltz. . .

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R

Ron's dog's flea's brain on acid

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
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With all due respect to Jay Goltz, when it comes to the art & framing biz, Kent Untermann is da man!

According to an article in this month's issue of Framing Business News...

He's got 8 art & framing stores (averaging 5000 sq. ft. apiece) 5 art galleries, an outlet store, a 43,000 sq. ft. manufacturing/warehouse location and 146 employees.

Oh yeah, and he did $13 million last year. And he's 39.

I'm very impressed, to say the least.

Yes Virginia, you can make loads of dough in da pitcher framin' bidniss.
 
Don't ever know what happened, but a year or so ago on PPFA's OLE there was a move to form a little group of people like Golz, Bluestone, et. al.; those guys doing I think it ws $1 million + per year--and it could've been even higher.

they were supposed to meet at last year's ABC show. I believe it was to network on marketing, distribution, etc etc. All the stuff we folks worry about but on I guess agrander scale.

Glad to see so many successful young folk in this industry

------------------
Michael LeCompte CPF
 
No denying that Kent is a great retailer.

However, before we get too wrapped up in the "big guys/litttle guys" syndrome, let's keep things in perspective. Times right now are hard for all of us and I am sure that things are tough for Kent's business too.

Think you have problems? Multiply them times the size difference between your company and Kent's and think you'll sleep well at night?

Being in Hawaii, I would imagine that much of his gallery business depends on the tourist trade, and we all have heard that things have slowed down dramatically. First, from the down Japanese economy, then from the WTC attack.

To cut costs, at his resort locations, I would expect that Kent has informed his landlords that he is probably only going to pay CAM charges plus offer them a percentage of his gross (or else he will close some of them all together.) And, I expect that all 146 of those employees are no longer employed, or are not working the number of hours they were inititally.

This is not to take anything away from Kent. He has built an impressive empire in Hawaii and I respect him greatly. I just didn't want anyone to think that it is all wine and roses for the big guys right now while many smaller shops are wondering how they are going to pay the rent next month.

I am not sure that the introduction of another successful retailer to the public view necessarily takes away from the accomplishment or good example of another one.

I don't know anyone who has given more of himself and his experience to better this industry than Jay. I think he deserves more consideration given the time and effort he has put into helping others (myself included) build their businesses.



[This message has been edited by R Markoff (edited October 12, 2001).]
 
Max,

Something to think about. It takes Mr. Untermann 8 framing stores and 5 art galleries to make $13 mil. It only takes Mr. Goltz 2 frameing stores and no art galleries to make almost $10 mil. Average it out, it doesn't take a genius to figure out who "The Man" really is.

TS
 
I agree with TS and Mr Markoff. Jay Goltz has been an inspiration to myself and I think many others in the industry. I have read his book and many articles about the man, and see that he has done nothing but help his fellow framers by sharing his success and failures, to show what can be done to avoid these same problems. I am a framer, and hope to own my own framing store at some point and I will do my best to follow his example. To me Jay Golts is the man.

Amie
 
All of these people are winners. They all deserve our respect and admiration for their ability to make money, and their willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

I don't envy them, though. The load of responsibility they carry would make emotional mush out of common folk. Most of us, including those who know the price of success, are not willing to accept the sacrifice and emotional stress required to race on that track.

I especially admire the few who share their knowledge and go out of their way to help others succeed. Those invested hours and resources would surely be more profitable if spent on their own profitable business interests. But greed isn't their motive; they understand the greater value of sharing. Goltz, Bluestone, Markoff, and Carter are among them. Maybe Kent Untermann is, too; I don't know him.
 
who's the best??? who's da man?? does it really matter?? i'm just grateful that these guys are willing to share what they know. thats all that really matters to me. oops..just my 2 cents worth.
smile.gif

kirsty
 
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