Starting a Mobile Frame Service..need your input

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Little Conestoga

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Joined
Sep 15, 2002
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48
Location
PA
I have toyed with this idea for years, but it looks like there just may be a market for me in my area. rather rural, lots of development going on, and I work out of my home. I have a grand setup on the second story of my garage, and although I do get customers, they do have to come and find me.

I am trying to outline the how, when, shoulda, coulda, can, dont, etc. Maybe just start out with hauling around the full line of Crescent mats, and a couple suitcases for samples. Any ideas?

Another goofy idea was presented by a client who wanted to get all her friends who have pictures they have been putting off framing, and have a "Tupperware" type set up for a framing party at her house. I show up with ideas, decorating/color tips...lots of food of course, and hopefully go away with some orders that I can turnover in a week or so.

Help! I would love to hear your input and ideas.
Thank you
 
Wish my memory was better, but there was an article in one of the Framing Magazines on a mobile operation like you're asking about. You might wanna search the archives here on the G cause it was discussed a couple of yrs. ago when another framer asked about a mobile set-up.

Good luck in your search!
 
This LINK will take you right to it.
Good luck, should you decide to start this venture.
 
Little Conestoga,

This is a little late, but welcome to TG!!

By pure accident, I got drawn into a mobile attribute of this business (as a small percentage). Like most things, there's good and bad. I'll share my observations and you take it from there:

Good:
You obtain a share of the business demand, thus, if planned correctly, increase your revenue.
You fill a need for some whom can't get out and about.
You get out of the "office".
In some cases, you can pick up supplies while tying in business ventures.
You can make business calls during your travels to hotels and such in hopes to gain further business.

Bad:
This method of gaining business is very time consuming. You MUST incorporate your travel time and travel costs into this. It will be your demise if you don't (unless you are doing this job more as a hobby).
It is easy to get involved in small chatter when making house calls. Some is wonderful fun and certainly good PR, but again, time is money. You must know when to draw the line.
For me, my van is not equipped with materials - I must load and unload after talking to the clients to hear what it is they want to frame. That too is very time consuming.

That is what comes to mind immediately. Fortunately in Arizona, we don't ordinarily have weather factors. Heck fire, if it rains, we nearly have a "rain day" (as opposed to a "snow day").
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Best of luck to you. I know there are a lot of folks that would appreciate your efforts, I'd just be certain that the efforts will carry your budget.
 
Little C,

I too am home based and have done my share of motoring around. I found it to be very helpful when I was starting out, but as I get busier I prefer my clients to come to me, and most of them do. Occasionally I do an office call for multiple frames or the same with homes where I am sometimes mistaken for a decorator along with my framing skills.
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Anyhow, the mobile part that works best for me is having my sample in crates. My home space is minimal, so I use them at home and on the road. I cut boards out of foam core and mount my samples to them with velcro strips. I put these in the crates on their sides so I can see the edge of the profiles. I put similar styles together and have to keep my samples to a minimum, but it works great. I also have a set of mats (Tru Vue fits in a crate quite nicley). I take 6 crates (they fit great in the back of my van)to my house-calls (5 frames, 1 mat) which is about 150 frame samples and usually covers the gambit. If I need anything other samples, I'll check my extras or local suppliers and get back to the client.

I have a pretty good client base and many customers will ask me to pick what I think is best, with just a general idea from them. This way I can look for something special on my normal pick ups or use what I have in stock.

Like Sherry said,it can be time consuming, but I have had a good experience overall. Almost EVERY person that comes to my house or I go to see goes thru with the order. I don't have people wasting my time for just a quote. This is a big plus!

Good luck with whatever you decide, and if you'd like more ideas, fee free to email me.

LeeAnn
 
I've never tried this Tupperware party type set up for framing, but I think it might be a nightmare. Every person will want approval from each of her friends for the design. You'll have to shoot down a hundred lame ideas without stepping on anyone's toes.
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Is there a way to get back issues of Decor? I'm starting this type of operation myself and would love more tips to avoid reinventing the wheel. I saw cases sold at the Decor Expo that are used to travel with your samples. It does limit you but I plan to spend some time with the customer on the phone before the appt to get an idea of which samples to bring. My biggest concern is not having the one I need with me. For those have you that have done this before, How many samples did you usually bring with you?

As for the Tupperware style party, I've thought about this myself and have more compared to a PartyLite or Home Decor style party. If you position yourself as the expert (not in a bad rude) then they won't feel the need to get approval from their friends. I think it could work, it just needs to be well thought out.
 
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