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Jason Maranto

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Posts
147
Loc
Tampa, FL
Well, I signed my lease on Friday the 13th(heh) and after working like a mad dog all thru Christmas to get my shop ready I'm opening my doors for the first time today.

Wish me luck.

Jason.
 
Starting next week, I begin construction of my new framing shop. Because of living in a historic area, the shop will not be a "come-in-off-the-street-and-look" shop. It is more a combination of an effective work area and a place to display mat and frame samples. The shop is part of our Bed and Breakfast building. Historic preservation and land use places tremendous restrictions on signage, parking and advertising. Up to now, framing has been a side venture while trying learn the basics. Having taken early retirement from broadcasting, I am now set to devote the time and resources to this new chapter in my life. And the Grumble will be a major source of information. Happy New Year to all.
 
Good for you! It is a huge commitment, but very gratifying. Good luck.
 
I wish you all the happiness that owning my own framing business has afforded me! It's wonderful to look forward to going to work every day!
 
Congratulations Jason. Don't read any of my previous posts. I got a very bumpy start. You will do fine!
 
So, and tell us exactly where Temple Terrace, FL is so that when we're driving by we can drop in, and see the new digs, and give you a big pat on the back, and hug around the neck, already. Where are you????
 
Thanks everybody.

Temple Terrace is in the northern part of Tampa... not really a city of it's own in anything more than politics.

Jason.
 
Less is unpacking at his new pad too! I hope to be operational by next weekend!

Here's to new ad ventures!
 
Many of you have exciting ventures on the horizon. Best wishes to all of you in the New Year.
 
Happy New Year and best wishes for your new shop Jason.


Jack
 
Starting a new business is about one of the most exciting things you will ever do. All the emotions are packed into it, excitment, fear, anticipation, love of the craft, etc. etc. You know it aint going to be easy, yet you plunge ahead. Give yourself about twenty gold stars for bravery.

You will find just about everyone will have advise on how you can build your business, especially the "experts" who have never owned a business. Stick to YOUR plan, work hard, NEVER, EVER, QUIT, and you will do just great, but not right off the bat, give it time, lots of time.

Best of luck to you, and congratulations,

John
 
Well, I didn't have a single customer last year :eek: here's hoping 2003 goes better


Jason.
 
Oh, I'm busy enough... I'm working through a backlog of peices for my wife and mother-in-law.

I've still got to frame up a bunch of original art for the gallery whenever the artists get there with the art :rolleyes:

Jason.
 
Jason, is your mother in law paying you for this work? How about this framing you are planning on doing for the artists?

There is an old business adage, " Your friends will put you out of business faster than any other method" My favorit one though is, " Any idiot can give it away" ( Len Aaron, 1970s )

If you want to look busy, make ready mades for the store, or mini mirrors, frame up some prints as samples of your work, shadow box, multi opening mats, etc.

If you frame pieces from artists for your store, I would suggest you either purchase the pieces outright from the artists or have them pay you for the framing. Frame them for free and you will end up losing on the deal, guaranteed.

John
 
Jason, what John said. My Mother is one of my very best customers, and, yes, I do discount my labor to her, but she's willing to pay me and pay well. She says that she knows that when I frame her stuff, it's done correctly, and well. There's a frame shop in the town she lives in that is even a little less expensive than I am, but she likes my work. The point is, though, even my Mother pays for her work in my shop. The only one who gets their work done for free is me, and that's only when I have nothing else in the shop and am bored.
 
Everybody pays at my store... nobody gets a discount not even me.

It seems harsh but it allows me to keep my prices fairly low without worrying -- so everbody wins.

Jason.
 
Jason, you'll do just great, but I think you could give yourself and your bride at least a 10% discount.


John
 
Best of luck to both of you with your new shops. It's an exciting time. Our shop is only 9 1/2 months old, and we have no regrets. It does get busier and people WILL come in. Some customers have already been back 3 times in that period, and it's very rewarding.

Looking back... finding the Grumble, ;) getting a good accountant, and getting a POS system were probably the three most important things that happened to us in the past year.

We've also learned to be patient and realize that we won't be taking a pay for at least the first 18 months. All profits are being re-invested towards advertising and marketing.

The things that have worked best for US so far have been FramerSelect, Val-pak, and direct mailings to homes. The absolute BEST source we ever had was a free write-up done by a small local newspaper on 5/1/02. People STILL come in weekly because of that article, and it was free for the asking. They put a full color picture of us on the cover, and 3 other pictures inside with a story. Since we were also running ads, they were glad to do so. Most newspapers will do a free story for new businesses, if you ask.

The LEAST effective advertising, believe it or not, was the Yellow Pages. ~1k/month down the drain, and only THREE customers came in so far with the coupons or mention of the yellow pages. Fortunately, that contract ends this month and we'll be shrinking the size of the ads. (3 books)

These are just our opinions and experiences, your actual mileage and results may vary
What works for one person, may not work for someone else. There's a lot of advice and opinion out there, its important to form your own plan.

BEST OF LUCK!

Mike L
Get The Picture, LLC
Lincoln, RI
 
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