In the latest episode of Custom Apparel Startups, we are excited to feature Howard Potter, from A&P Master Images, who brings his wealth of knowledge to the table on the topic of Direct to Film (DTF) Printing. Our discussion, " What You Should Know Before Buying a DTF Printer," covers the A to Z of preparing to make an informed purchase of a DTF printer for your business.Howard emphasizes the paramount importance of conducting thorough research to identify a trustworthy company. It's crucial to partner with a company that not only sells you a printer but also supports you throughout your printing journey. Equally important is considering the space your operation has available, as DTF printers come in various sizes and have specific space requirements for optimal operation.He advises potential buyers to request samples from providers. This step ensures that the print quality meets your business's standards and expectations before making a significant investment. Additionally, Howard stresses the importance of investing in quality supplies, including inks and films, to guarantee the best output and durability of your printed products.A central part of our conversation revolves around the challenges businesses might face, particularly concerning time management and staffing. DTF printing, while lucrative, demands careful planning and allocation of resources. Howard shares insights from his experience, noting that even the largest units are not overly complicated in terms of power requirements, which can be a common concern.Highlighting the potential of DTF printing, Howard reveals an impressive fact: it is possible to generate more than $500,000 in revenue with a single DTF printer in a year. This statistic not only underscores the efficiency and profitability of DTF printing but also serves as a powerful motivation for businesses considering entering the space.This episode is packed with invaluable advice for anyone looking to venture into DTF printing or expand their existing operations. Howard Potter's expert insights provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of purchasing a DTF printer, making this episode an essential listen for those in the custom apparel industry.Here are the top considerations before purchasing a DTF Printer: Find a company you can trust Consider the space you have to work with Get samples Look for a company that provides quality supplies with their machines

Mike Angel shares his expertise in apparel decorating, focusing on the cutting-edge technique called direct to film printing, or DTF printing for short. This method has completely revolutionized the world of apparel decorating, offering numerous advantages over traditional methods. It is not only faster and easier, but also more cost-effective and versatile.With a DTF printer, you have the flexibility to take on both small and large-scale projects. You can effortlessly create and print the same design on a wide range of fabrics, allowing for endless possibilities in customization. Unlike other technologies, DTF transfers require lower temperatures and shorter press times, making it ideal for more delicate fabrics as well as durable fabrics.DTF prints boast exceptional color and detail, surpassing many other apparel decorating methods for apparel decorating with photo-realistic images, and the prints are highly durable, withstanding stretching and washing with ease.

In this episode of the CAS Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Mike Angel from ColDesi, the brilliant mind behind ClickWear and the ColDesi OnDemand services. Mike takes us on a deep dive into the world of selling online, particularly through Shopify, and how ClickWear is transforming the custom apparel business by streamlining product creation and order management. We'll also explore the comprehensive solutions offered by ColDesi OnDemand, designed to support businesses in offering customized products without the hassle.Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables businesses of all sizes to set up their online stores and sell products. It's known for its ease of use, scalability, and comprehensive features that cover everything from inventory management to payment processing, making it an ideal solution for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their online sales.ClickWear is a Shopify app developed by ColDesi that revolutionizes the custom apparel industry. It allows store owners to easily create and sell custom-decorated products online by simplifying the design and order fulfillment process. ClickWear streamlines operations, enabling efficient management of product customization and orders directly from the Shopify interface.https://coldesi.com/clickwear-a-shopify-app-for-the-custom-apparel-business/ColDesi OnDemand offers a robust solution for businesses looking to offer custom apparel and products without the need for inventory. This service provides the technology and support for on-demand production, from printing to shipping, allowing businesses to focus on design and sales while ColDesi handles the fulfillment. It's a scalable solution that fits a range of business sizes and needs, from startups to established brands looking to expand their product offerings.https://coldesi.com/ondemand/

IntroductionSmall business owners in the customization industry are facing unprecedented challenges due to rising prices. This resource guide provides practical strategies to help your business thrive in a changing economic landscape.Market Research and Competitive AnalysisResearch competitors and trends - Price shop around and see how you REALLY are in the market. Also ask about 'hidden' fees. Set up fees, art fees, delivery, etc. Do you have a fee to set up my logo?Do you deliver or do I pick up? Fees?I am trying to budget this all out, what other costs should I expect to make sure I allocate the right money?Understand customer perception - ask other business owners you know if they have had price increases. How did they deal with them? How large were they? Define your pricing strategyDo you want to be the price leader? Keeping it SimpleAvoid complex financial details.Don’t break down the cost of your ink, paper, deliveries etc. This leaves room for holes in your pricing strategy. Just keep it simple - 'my costs are up, my retail is up' Offer added value.Confident price change communication.Transparency MattersBe open about price increases.Consequences of non-transparency.If you try to dance around the truth customers may see this as dishonestyInsights from Harvard Business Review."Call the action a price increase, not a price adjustment, a price change, or another euphemism. While this may seem like a small thing, euphemistic messaging can cause serious harm, fraying the relationship with loyal customers." Many consumers are keenly aware of overall economic conditions, so when you tell your customers you’re raising prices, it just confirms their expectations, and most accept it.Use clear language.Postpone price increase for certain customers - let them know it’s coming, and why you are postponing for them. Customer Satisfaction is #1Prioritize customer satisfaction first.Satisfied customers accept higher prices.Price-sensitive customers are likely to stay if satisfied. If they still won’t stay with higher prices, you have to decide if they are worth it.e.g. a low maintenance customer may be worth keeping at a lower margin. However a customer that is constant trouble, no referrals, frequent returns, frequent complaints… might not be worth it.Additional Pricing StrategiesTarget new customers - Go after more unique niches or higher end customersOffer contract discounts - Can you get customers to commit to months or a year of service. e.g. make updated uniforms for their business every season, or update signs on storefront for each holiday. Create bundles - price of shirts is up, but if you do shirts AND hats you get a discount. Selective price increases - only price increase certain items. Maybe your low-price leading items stay the same, but your upsells increase. Handling Customer ObjectionsAddress objections with confidence Brainstorm with your team or other business ownersPractice the conversationsUnderstand most customers will understand why this is happeningConclusionYou empower your business when you control your prices. If you are racing to the bottom or let fear control your pricing, you will eventually start suffering consequences. Increasing pricing doesn't mean you are greedy, you are doing your best to stay in business and reach your financial goals.

When it comes to growing your customization business we often talk about 'finding a niche.' What is a product / customer that you can focus on. This could be new moms, or local small businesses or tourists. However, you will find a point where growing that business becomes harder. This is why you will find a candle company that starts selling soaps, or why Bath and Body works sells 99 different ways to make your house smell good.Diversifying your product lines is a great way to level up your business and make more moneyYou can sell to current customersYou can find a new customer baseYou can become more stable (as one product line slows down, another might grow)Types of business diversificationProduct diversification: you primarily sell clothing but you want to expand into other items that will create value for your customer like home goods and accessoriesMarket diversification: you have a local business and start selling online or you open a new location across townIndustry diversification: take you knowledge to a different industry or target a new nicheService diversification: you may only offer finished products, but may want to start doing training on how to make those productsMerge or Acquire: a business that has a different product, service, market or industryWhy you would want to diversify:Want more revenue.Core business is in decline or getting saturated.Less economic riskIncrease competitiveness – offer a wider range of products to attract new customers and reach new markets that competitors can't or don'tExamples:Amazon used to be an online bookseller, then moved on to sell video games and other multi-media and before long, they sold computer electronics, software, homeware, toys, and moreApple was on the verge of bankruptcy in the 90's and launched the iPod and iTunes software and a few years later the iPhoneSteps to Diversify:Do your research – have your customers suggested diversifying? Are they asking for more products or services? What can you do better than your competitors in your current or new markets? What type of diversification would suit your business?Assess your risks – while diversifying can help generate sales and increase your market share, you have to find a crucial balance between finding the time and resources to focus on the new venture without neglecting your core business. Diversifying with similar products in a familiar market may carry less risk than developing a brand new product for an unknown market, but both would create a safety net which will allow you to recover if one of your products or services fails.Audit your resources – what do you have and what do you need to invest inPlan – in many ways it is like starting a new business. You will need to understand your new market, your customers, competitors, and the new dynamics just as you would for any new business*What does your equipment do?**You have an embroidery machine. a) Do you sell hats? b) Patches? c) Uniforms?You have a DigitalHeat FX printer? a) Ever used hard surface paper? b) Printed on cardstock?*What adjacent equipment you can add?**If you have a a sublimation printer, adding a hat press is an easy upgradeIf you do digitalheat fx, might be good to ad a sub printer or a cutterIf you do embroidery, going to a cutter and press.

How do you choose the right t-shirt?You are looking to start or grow your custom apparel business. There are a ton of challenges with choosing the right equipment, making sales, pricing your apparel and so much more. However, a topic not often discussed enough is the apparel you use.Choosing the right blanks is a core part of your success. This is similar to a great chef. If you learn about great chefs, it's not just about the best pans and recipes, but also about the best ingredients. More so, it's about the best ingredients for their particular recipe.The same thing applies to the custom apparel industry. You must pick the right apparel for your business. The idea of 'what is the best t-shirt' is a fallacy, just like the question of 'what's the best chocolate for a dessert'. It depends!In this podcast we will discuss the idea of 'the best shirt' with an industry expert Mike Putnam. Mike has been in the apparel industry for over 30 years working in the apparel, sportswear and equipment industries.Some of the questions we’ll answer in this episode include:What is the best technology for your custom apparel business?What type of T-shirts should you sell?What problems should you expect?How do you get past these problems?Why is the idea of a ‘best’ shirt is a bit of a fallacy?Your processYour TechnologyYour customers’ needs (timeframe, color, quantity)The retail price you sellWhat technology should you be printing with?Screen printingDirect to FilmWhite TonerDTGSublimationWhy do some shirts fail and others succeed in printing (even when they are the "same" material)?How do you decide the best shirt for your business?

Starting A Side Business And Growing To Full TimeEveryone is looking for a way to make more money, achieve financial independence, and enjoy the work they do. One of the ways people accomplish this is by starting a side hustle, and potentially growing it to a full-time gig.But how do you do this successfully?   If you are brand new, how do you get started? If you already have a side hustle, how do you take it full time?In this episode we are joined by Amir Bavi, a ColDesi employee and customization business owner. Amir has taken the journey from side business to full time and back around. It’s all about YOUR personal journey and we are here to help.Here are the steps to starting and growing your side business.You have an idea, so what’s next?Put it in writingConsider WHO your customer isConsider WHAT you will sell themDetermine HOW profitable your products arePick WHERE you will do the workSchedule WHEN you will do the side hustle workWrite down WHY You are doing this (and never forget it!)Other topics covered in this episode:What are the steps to getting started?What should you watch out for?Once you get started, how can you make sure you don’t grow too fast or slow?How do you know when you are ready to go full time?How do you stay motivated?Did you ever have a time when you wanted to give up?#1 Tips for success

Many small business owners get into their business with an idea, rather than a full plan. You want to make t-shirts or print signs. You know it's profitable and you've already got some referral business. It's not that hard to make some money and get overwhelmed with business. What IS hard is growing your business to achieve your dreams and goals. One of the first steps to understanding how to create a great marketing plan (that will lead to success) is understanding the 4 Ps of marketing. In so many words, it's understanding your businesses goals, so you can make truly educated marketing decisions. So, what are the next steps for your marketing?Should you start a TikTok?Should you do local paid advertising?Would doing google ads be a good idea?Is renting a booth at a farmers market going to be profitable?Is hiring a marketing firm/person the right move?Anyone who tells you they have the answer to these questions is wrong. None of these can be answered correctly without knowing your 4 Ps. So let’s get to them!All Marketing revolves around the 4 Ps:Product:The number of products categories, product lines and variations your company sells.For example:Product Categories: Workwear, SignageProduct Lines:WorkwearMen’s WorkwearWomen’s WorkwearSignagePrinted Graphic DecorativeIndoor SignsProduct Variations:WorkwearWomen’s Short Sleeve t-shirtWomen’s Long Sleeve t-shirtWomen’s PoloHats (One)SignageRoom Names / BrailleRestroomsDirectoriesMapsInstructions (wash hands)How a product is presented or packaged and servedHow will your customer place their order?ecom, call in, email, in-person.How will your customer get their product?Personal delivery, by mail, customer pick up.Do you install or instruct?Price:What is the fair market rate of each item sold?How do customers pay? Can they pay online? Deposits? Pay in full?Promotion:What channels are you currently utilizing?New business: Nothing because your business hasn't started.Existing business: Google My business? Social Media? Word of Mouth? YouTube? Paid Advertising?What channels are you capable of utilizing?Can build a website? Can you hire someone to build one?Can you afford a paid advertising budget?Are there live events you can attend?Do you have a personality for social media/YouTube?Place:Are your products sold online? In store? 3rd party?Do customers need to be local?Are your products only sold with your physical presence? (e.g., signs)Is there anywhere you won’t / can't sell?BONUSOnce you have 4Ps then you need to look at your demographicsWhat is the face of your customer or their profile / avatar?e.g., local small business owners - Dentists, Drs, Pharmacy, Interior Designers, Real Estate, Golf CourseNow that you have the 4Ps and your Demographics. You can start answering questions: Should you start a TikTok?Should you do local paid advertising?Would doing google ads be a good idea?Is renting a booth at a farmers market going to be profitable?

What is a social media strategy?A social media strategy is an outline or plan of your social media goals, how you will achieve them, and how you’ll track metrics. Social is talked about all the time in business, but do you need it? If yes, then how will you use it? This episode is all about finding out what is right for your business. Why having a presence on social media is important for small businesses:Maintains and builds relationships with customers you already haveGrows brand awareness and familiarityBuilds trust with new and current customersBuilds engaged communitiesTurns customers into advocates (gain mentions, comments, likes, tags, etc.)Gives your business a chance to respond to any negative feedbackAnother channel to promote products or servicesHow to set up a strategyDetermine a goal – make sure it’s measurable/realistic for your business (ex: increasing email sign ups, increase web traffic, generate sales/leads, etc). Understanding and researching your competition can help you.Understand your audience – Know the basics about your target audience like age, location, income, interests, etc. Which can all be found using that platform’s analytics tool. This can help you build better strategies and goals based off that data. Also know things like what kind of content do your customers engage with? What accounts do your customers follow? What do they like/share?Get to know your competition – Complete a competitive analysis to help you understand what your competitors are doing, what their strengths/weaknesses are. Or keep an eye on their pages, search relevant keywords and how your competitors rank, etc.Start Implementing Your StrategyDetermine which platforms you want to use and are relevant to you (Instagram for reels, TikToks for short videos, Facebook for customer service, etc)Set up your profiles (use consistent branding like logos and brand colors, fill out bio completely, use high-quality images, include keywords people may associate your business with, etc)Create a social media calendar to help organize content ideas, scheduled posts, and maintain consistencyHave your first couple of posts planned out and ready to go liveWho are you selling to? What is your niche?Should social media be a place for you to sell, or just display your products?What would you be able to show off?What do you WANT to do on social media?Learn about your potential audience / customersDoes your audience make purchasing decisions from social media?Can you reasonably work with your customers or influencers to promote your product?Which platforms make sense for your business?Research your competition or other similar businessesWhat are they doing?Do you want to do what they’re doing or something different?Determine your strategyDo you want to sell online?Do you want to have customers find you on social?Are your pages for building trust?Are your pages just an online portfolio?Define your brandWhat do you want to look like?What is the personality of your brand?Who is your audience?Set up accounts / profilesImagesDescriptionsInitial PostsCreate a social media calendarWhen will you post?What will you post?Will you go live?Collaborate with othersEngage with people in commentsConnect with customers on their social accountsCross-promote when possibleFollow and connect with potential influencersExperiment with new ways to engageContestsAsk opinions (This or that? Which is your fav?)Boost posts (pay to get more views)Do you have customers that can promote your pages?e.g. if you work with a school maybe do a # contest for free swage.g. if you work with another small business, cross-promote each other or share a contest. “Win X from me and Y from them.”Track performanceBE PATIENTLook for interesting winsTry to re-create what has worked beforeExtra Social Media Tips/ IdeasAfter your social media accounts are created, keep a few things in mind:Experiment with style of content: Post polls, stories, contests, cross collaborations (mention nails), boost posts, customer success stories.Don’t post too much or too little. One can seem annoying and overbearing while the other can seem lazy or like the brand doesn’t care.Get your team on social media, which helps with keeping track of any messages, mentions, or comments.Search popular hashtags/ keywords to use in written and video posts.Using Social Media for business isn't just as simple as posting cool pictures and getting a million followers. People who have 'gone viral' as a rule didnt get there by accident. They spent a ton of time interacting with the platform, creating content, posting like crazy and working hard.Make a smart business decision on how YOUR business will use social media and go for it!

Financing is an important part of starting and growing a business. However, there are a lot of misconceptions and confusion. Many people only have experience financing a house, car, or a new couch. Yet there is a whole world of financing business equipment and software.This episode discusses financing for business and answers the most frequently asked questions.Why do businesses finance equipment?Utilize banks money to startKeep current liquid money on handTax benefitsTime value of moneyCan a new business finance?Yes!You can use personal creditWhat if you don't have perfect credit - should you finance? What if the rate is high?Start now, or don't startRisk and rewardDo what you gotta doWhy not just use a credit card?Installment vs revolving creditSave your credit card for quick purchase / pay off like supplies or blanksDon't use personal revolving credit lines for businessIsn't interest bad?If you can make more money than the interest, you winTax benefitsBank loans cost money, that's the way it works. They are in business too.Better to do something than nothing to winWhat's the finance process like?ApplyReview credit and terms with agentAccept, sign, deliverWhat's financing vs leasing?What if someone has a lot of other questions?Isn't debt for suckers?Most businesses have debtYou buy a house with a loan for the long-term benefits (equity)Is a car loan for a new and reliable car better than paying cash for a car that will break down?Financing: assets vs liabilityA machine for business is different from a carThis isn't just adding to your bills but giving you opportunity.Tax benefitsYou own something of real value vs taking on debt for a vacation or new tvOverall, financing isn't complicated, but it feels scary. So is starting a business or buying a house. Those who take the risk are the ones who can be rewarded.Learn more at https://coldesi.com/financing-options/

2023 is here and what’s in store for YOUR business. Mark and I have been reading around to learn what problems the 'experts' say small business owners will run into. We then put our heads together to consider how these affect the customization business industry.So here we go... let’s get ahead of 2023 with expected challenges and resolutions!Supply Chain Issues – There will still be issues with getting supplies, and it shouldn’t be a surprise anymore. Since 2020 everything from toilet paper to cars has seen the effect of backorders & supply chain issues.What this means for youStock up, Stock up, Stock upHave backup plans, especially for apparelDon't procrastinateInclude in communication to customers*Accelerated Digital Transformations** - Changes are happening faster than ever. Your customers are going to want to interact with you digitally the way THEY want to. Texts, live chats, emails, social media, package tracking, etc.What this means for youFind the ways your customers like to interactFigure out how to implement (CRM, Texting Software, Apps)Move away from the old ways (Excel quotes, Taking credit card numbers over phone, physically signed quotes)Inflation – Prices are still expected to go up.What this means for youPrepare your customers ahead of timeBe watchful of waste / Find ways to be more efficientRaise YOUR prices when you have toFind ways YOU can help YOUR customers save money. e.g. 'what other promo items do you use, maybe I can help you consolidate all of them with me to save money'Talent and Staffing – Good quality employees are going to have plenty of opportunitiesWhat this means for youIt may be hard to hire if you need to add staffCreate a Good Working Environment that encourages employees to join/stayKnow employees’ worth, if you hear similar jobs pay $2-3 more an hour, consider raisesIncreased customer expectations – People get things faster and more personalized than ever.What this means for youYou ARE in the customization business, so that’s good for you.You will want to be efficient to deliver things faster than ever.Consider what you keep in stock so you can deliver same/next dayTransformation of gig workers - More people are moving to gig/contract work as a side hustle or even full time.What this means for youPotential to outsource to help your growthYou might not have to hire in a full timerHire people seasonally, even IN your shopGig workers can be a market tooEven though challenges are expected in 2023 there is still a ton of optimism in our industry, so be sure to keep pushing forward and make it a great one!

Working with many customers can be very challenging, especially when it's repeat customers.Some customers are very needy, others are poor at communication, others don’t pay on time.So how do you handle all these different types of customers when you are trying to run your business YOUR way? You want to keep your best customers happy, so they come back!Get a CRMThis is key. You need a way to organize all your information, contacts, notes, reminders, invoices.Set RemindersBe sure to have reminders for ANYTHING important. Remind customer to get you the art, Remind that a bill is due. Remind to follow up on approval for production.If you can set up automated reminders to email / text them… even better.Use your calendarEvery meeting needs a calendar meeting (invite the customer too)Use Calendly to avoid those "are you available at XYZ time/day" emailsBlock out time for work. Invoicing, production, etc.Have policies and proceduresYou cannot force your customers to do everything your way, but you sure can suggest it. Many people will comply to your procedures. And YOU can decide which rules are ok to bend and not.Fire customersYes, it's HARD to say no to money but there is a price for your time, effort and stress. If one customer is preventing you from growing or enjoying your business, it's time to let them go.Be FriendlyYou catch more flies with honey. People will like you. People will adhere to your reminders, people will respect your calendar invites, people will follow your procedures and you will have enough customers to be able to fire the bad ones.

When you think of your business you may think:Maria does the printingJohn does the artMark does the writing and websiteEtc.But how do you manage that as you grow? or if Maria is sick?Do you also think about how Maria does maintenance? Or how Mark answers chats on Google? Or how John posts to Facebook and answers comments?Further, as you grow, and art goes from 5 files a day to 15 files a day, WHAT are tasks that John could take off his plate? IS there something Mark can do instead of John? Is there something you can hire a part-timer to do, or outsource to an agency?When considering the inner workings of your business, think about all the tasks, not the people.List EVERYTHING that the business needs to do.This should be anything your team can think of, and the list needs to grow over time.e.g. maybe Mark makes sure your website domain renews every year, but he doesn't remember that when making the initial list.List the talents and skills of your teamWho can do what?One team member does the website now, but can anyone else?One team member dislikes running the embroidery machine, but CAN in a pinchList areas of potential growth & efficiencyIf we did X better we could growIf we did Y better we could save moneyList anywhere that is close to max capabilitiesIs there an area where your team is spread thin?One team member does art. Some days there is more art than they can do. What if you grow 10%, can they handle that? How will you handle that if you do?Go back to the topNow that you have all the above data, take a bird's eye view of it.What can you improve?Do you need redundancy in talent?How will certain jobs get done if someone is sick or on vacation?If you hired someone, what could they fill in?

One of the biggest challenges for businesses is keeping up with all of the 'tasks' that can bog you down. These things may seem redundant or not as important as your daily duties, but avoiding them will absolutely cause trouble.Review pricingIs everything still available?has pricing gone up?SHOULD pricing have gone up?Is there an opportunity for a SALE or Discount?Marketing check-inPromotions for next month or the NEXT month?Does your phone number work?Does your contact form work?New/replace products?Planning for eventsWebsite updates and changesCheck your voice mail messageSocial media review (links in profiles, contact info, posts)Financial ReviewLook back at the prior monthRevenues Profits ExpensesLessons and changesInvoices and billsTaxesFees/DuesSales ReviewHow many new customersLost customersBest sale of the month / worst sale of the monthMost profitable ordersLegal StuffTax filingsCertificatesLicensesOrder legal languageHOA?Clean Up!Make sure your work area is clean and safeCheck your computer - are all the files in the right place?Gut check - how do YOU think you're doing? How are you feeling about the business?The purpose of a monthly check-in is not always because you didn't properly adjust prices or didn't pay bills. It's so much more than that. It is creating a consistent habit of checking very important things often. It is also about making sure you didn't forget details. Lastly, as you do this you will recognize patterns or oddities, which will help you catch something before it's a problem (or catch something while there is opportunity!)

One of the struggles and causes of anxiety for small businesses is the competition. It's either the reality that you'll lose deals to the competition, OR just the anxiety because you might (or when will you?)"I can't make any money in my area""No one can sell for that price"One of the best ways to combat this is by getting in front of the knowledge. When you know your competition, you:Can get ahead of customers who shopImprove your products and servicesBe sure you are actually charging enoughKnow your strengthsSteps To Competitive AnalysisIdentify ThemAll competition - This is anywhere your customer might buy a similar product. For example, Walmart and Bass Pro Shop might be on this list.Close competition - These are businesses that do close to what you do, but not the same. These might be screen print shops if you do embroidery.Direct competition - Companies that do almost exactly what you do, such as a company that sells DTG one-off shirts, when you offer the same thing.Make A List And Categorize ThemGather InformationInfo - The BasicsAll competition - What might someone buy there? How much is it? What is it like to shop there?Close competition - What do they offer? Why might someone shop there?Direct competition - This one is where you actually want to spend time. You should be looking deep.What do they sell?What prices do they advertise?Do they appear to focus on any niches?Is there anything they do that you can learn from?Read ReviewsInfo - Social MediaFor basically everything below, don't bother with the All Competition and try not to focus too much time on the Close Competition. You really want to put the effort into Direct Competition.Review all their social accountsLook for how they postDon't focus on # of followers, but posts that get interactionInfo - WebsitesHow do they look? on your desktop and on your phoneWhat info do they show?How does it compare to yours?Is there anything you don't like?What can you learn about their size, age, pricing, products, nichesInfo - Shop ThemThis work can be done by yourself or someone you trust.Call them, what is that like?Ask for a quoteFind out delivery timesLook for 'hidden fees' (set up, art, etc)Get details on what they will or won't do (will they do the art? How much? Will they let you provide shirts? what brands do they sell?)AnalyzeNow it's time to step back and look:What are they GREAT at?What are they good at?What are they weak at?If you compare yourself, where can you shine? Look at their weaknesses and find where you can be stronger.Maybe they cannot deliver anything in less than 2 weeks, but you can do next day.Maybe they only offer really cheap shirts they stock, but you offer higher-end apparel.They might advertise low prices but have lots of hidden fees.They might appear to be a very diverse shop, but they really only focus on a couple of niches.Create Your Competitive PlanFIRST - did you determine that it's REAL competition? If so, then...This is where you can make it a point to show off your strengths that your competition doesn't have.Advertise these strengths on your website and social mediaMention them in phone calls and meetingsDo email blasts or local ads"Can deliver shirts in 2 days""Top quality apparel that won't shrink after one wash""High-end art services included in the price""Full-color prints - print your dog, baby, or anything else on a shirt"Be sure to repeat this process often and don't be intimidated. There will always be competition, but smart business people can always find a way to stand out. If you are ahead of them, you can always come out successful.

The space in your shop, retail store or warehouse is essential to how much money you can make. Not surprisingly there is an entire field based on workspace optimization and customer experience. How fast you can get things done, how comfortable your customers feel and the overall space you work on can heavily impact your success.Examples:Customer walks into two shops, which one do they buy from?A - Cool art on the walls, music playing, samples on the walls.B - No decorations, loose thread on the floor, and ink stain on wall, and something sticky.Production - who can produce shirts faster?A - Neat and clean workstations, equipment nearby, labeled shelving.B - Boxes of shirts shoved under a table, 20 ink carts all various filled stacked up, heat press in the corner away from everything else.So how can you make your workspace make money for you?Know Your StyleIf your workspace is a pleasant place to be, you will work better in it.First design your space to fit your style and brand.You want it to feel good to work in, if you are uncomfortable in the space, you won't be happy.Like art a lot? Put some on the walls. Into fishing? Put up a singing fish.Consider how you dress and incorporate that into the look. if you dress modern / fashionable, get furniture and decorations that are in that style.Tip: Hire a designer or consult friend or family who's good at it.Consider VisitorsWill customers enter your workspace / shop?If you are going to be alone with no visitors, make the space yours.If you plan to have customers come in, consider their experience:Have table and chairs for them to sit in.Keep coffee, soda, water bottles.Have samples ready to show off.Put up pictures or books of work to flip through.Make your workspace a different place than your customer interaction space.Don't push away shirts you are working on so a customer can sit and chat.Have public Wi-Fi.Computer or tablet available to interact with customers on.Don't Break Your BackWorkplace injury or long-term strain on the body is a real thing. Help yourself stay healthy.You are in the business of picking things up, bending over and working with machinery, watch your health.Put the heat press at the right height.Get foot stools and shelves.Use tables that match your height.Get gloves or braces for back / wrist / knees (if recommended by a Dr.)Or just go to your Dr and say "I do this, what strains or injuries could I get and how do I prevent them?)Tip: record a video of yourself working and see if you notice times you strain, bend, hunch over, etc. (or show your Dr!)Your Workflow Should Be In the DesignMake your space work for you by having everything in the right place.If you go from Heat press to printer to heat press to boxing, then consider designing your space in that flow, put the machines/tables in that order.If you are bumping your elbows or cannot get a good reach, move things around.Be creative like putting heat press facing a printer, this way you turn around and the press is right there.Consider more than just placing things by a wall, maybe a circular placement makes sense.Tip: record a video of work and see if there is something you notice about wasted time.... like "Look - every time I need a box of shirts I go all the way over there and back, and look – I almost tripped on a wire once!"Sounds, Tastes and SmellsEyes are not the only sense, think about the others.Music can be a great way to keep you motivated.Music can also give customers a good vibe of your shop. If you primarily sell to high schoolers, play pop music.Air purifiers, outdoor fresh air, air fresheners, incense, etc. are great ways to keep the shop from smelling like still air, sweat or a factory.Keep healthy snacks, gum, mints, sodas, water, coffee, tea etc. Not just for customers, but for you.All of this matters because it keeps you going, keeps you positive.According to a study at Oxford University people who are pleased with their work environment are 13% more productive, and that can include YOU.Brand ItHave your shop fit your brand, because it's part of it.In the last episode we talked about branding, and your shop should fit that too. Just like your website and your social media.If you use fonts or colors on your website, use them in your office.Use samples from your site, as samples people can see in real life.Music, Sounds, Smells, visuals should match your feel.Sell to business professionals? Make your shop feel like a modern office. Look up google or apple offices.A good workspace and shop design will absolutely have a long-term impact for your business. This is not only for your production, but your mental and physical health... and of course your customers will WANT to do business with you!

How To Make Your Brand Stand OutThere are tons of t-shirts shops, sign shops, restaurants and insurance companies everywhere. The world is a busy place. How do you make YOUR brand stand out? How does something emerge amongst the noise?If you want to learn about standing out, watch some nature documentaries. You can see how birds spread their wings, sing or flash bright colors.It's not just about standing out though, it's about building an audience, and trust and a desire to do business with YOU and YOUR COMPANY.Be Original / You - Pick a style or a theme that fits your niche, personality.Be Sincere - this brand should be sincere. If you are fake or try to be someone you aren’t, people will pick up on it.Tell a story - share the dream of your business, your personal dream.Be consistent - stick with ideas, colors, styles, etc. Don’t try to be business professional on your website, then be quirky and cool on social media. Make sure it all ties together.Action Items - SuggestionsGet celebrities / Influencers - Know local celebrities? Even "mini celebrities" like the local high school football coach, or the leading home run hitter in the high school baseball team, or the owners of popular businesses. If you can get their endorsements it helps.Who do you know that's in a position to influence a lot of people?PreacherTeacherLocal PoliticianNews anchorRadio hostEntertainerPay to get your name out there - if your brand supports children, be a sponsor of a local children’s event. if your brand has to do with local sports, give away a bunch of free hats to kids. Use social media to share big stories, even with boosted or paid ads.Make a list of online or local "happenings" /events that could relate to your brandFind out the best way to participate in these sympathetic-to-brand eventsRent a tableAdvertise in flyerBuy time or spaceHire someone to help you brand - if you aren’t a graphic artist or a branding expert, find someone who is and get them to help with your style: Fonts, logos, colors, etc.PR firm/personPPC expertMarketing companyWeb developerSocial media pro

Maybe you never want to really grow bigger, just grow more profitable. For some people the idea of a big business with hundreds of employees and a big building with a huge sign is a dream.For others it's just to have a business for themselves. Maybe it's a small family business. A business on your terms. It could be you just want to keep it as a side hustle.But how do you make this business THRIVE and generate the income you want to live, to retire, to pass on to the next generation.If you want to GROW while staying small, you need to optimize the business.Ways to grow a small business, while also staying small.What's the dream?To have a side hustle that makes 40k profit a yearTo have a family business that profits 250k a yearTo have a business to retire in, eventually replacing your day job incomeJust like with everything, you have to have defined goals to know how and when you've reached them.Track your timeHow much time do you spend taking to customers?Delivering orders?Running production?Maintaining equipment?Accounting?Part of staying a small business is working with limited time. If you want to stay with 3 people running the shop, you could say you have 120 hours of work a week. You have to track where all that time is going from day one.Clean House / Take out the trashDon't work with stressful customers.Only take profitable jobs.Stop taking on projects that don't fit the dream.Stick with what you like and what works.Don't work with technology that doesn't fit the plan.You will learn lessons as you take on clients. Certain jobs just won't be profitable, others will be loaded with stress. Some work just doesn't scale well (e.g. it takes a 2x the work for the same profit as other work). You have to know when to clean house, turn down jobs and follow the dream.Don't be cheapDon't waste time shopping around to save 50 cents on a cone of thread.Do the maintenance, don't skip out on a step to save a few bucks on cleaner.Buy the better heat press.Pay for software if it helps.Upgrade your equipment when its time.Trying to save a buck can end up costing you so much more. Remember that you are trying to reach a goal. Don't let saving a few hundred bucks get in the way of reaching your goal. If you are trying to get to $100k a year, what's $200?Be efficient, everywhere!Move your equipment and tables to save walking time.Get good tools to save time.Have a regimented plan for every order.Get things like a sleeve platen.Sharpen your scissors.Weigh things instead of counting them.Get smart software.Efficiency is going to be the key to maximizing your small business profitability and revenue. Many times businesses get stuck because they have run out of time!Hit your goals, then move to the nextIf you want to get to $100k a year, start with $20k.Look at what you did to get to 20k and do the math.Can you scale that with the time/people you have?If not, what can you do better?Consider new ideas to scale it up!You need to step by step to your goal. You may find that there isn't enough time, or not enough profit. This allows you to FIX the problem through success! "I got to $20K! How are things looking? Ok, I know what to fix to get to $40k."Ask for advice, maybe take itAsk people who have a business what they do.Find out their goals.What stumbling blocks did they have?Share issues you have and see how they would solve them.There isn't a magic bullet, but knowledge is absolutely power. Look for inspiration from others, but be sure to not compare yourself to their business too much, remember this is your goal. Seek advice from others, but don't look for exact answers.Strategies to Plan, Run and Profit from a Business Built for YOU, by YOU. That's the goal. It's YOUR plan, it's YOUR business, it's YOUR goals. You have the ability to make it anything you want.

Can you guess how success in your customization business is like success in a fitness, financial, or weight loss program?If your goal is to lose 20lbs by September 30th, you can't start working on that on the 25th and expect to be successfulIf your financial goal is to save up $20K for a down payment on house, or pay cash for a car, you're probably not going to pull that money out of that week's budget to make the purchase.Because with your health and your finances you've got to do small things right on a regular basis - or BIG things on a regular basis - in order to succeed. You're not very likely to win the lottery OR wake up with 6-pack abs after buying a scratch off and doing sit-ups one morning.BUT, if you save and invest over time, every day, do some ab work every day, you're very likely to end up in the place you want to be.Let's apply that to your Business Life and talk about the habits that will help you reach your goals:Regular Habit/OrganizationHave a calendar. Use it. Live by it.Billing scheduleProduction calendarDaily:Machine maintenanceCheck job schedule & checklista. Product, blank and supply statusb. Art work statusc. ...Check/Enter new ordersCommunications - emails, calls and chatsa. Create appt/task/call entriesWrap upa. Machine shutdown/maintenanceb. Adjust calendar/tasks for tomorrowWeekly:Marketing Basicsa. Website Check - Working?b. Social UpdatesBusiness Progress CheckCheck your Financial LifeMonthly:Review Quarterly / Annual GoalsBusiness check ina. How were sales?b. What problems did you have?c. What success did you have?d. What do you wish you did better?Clean upa. Make sure shop is in tip-top shapeb. Delete that 'downloads' folder on the computerInventory Checka. Supplies / Blanks / ToolsTools:Asana Project Management / BaseCamp / TrelloFreshbooks / QuickbooksGoogle Calendar or CRMStripe / SquareGood old Excel!

Being a business owner means you wear many hats.Project Manager. Production Manager. Financial Officer. Customer Service.And yes… Sales Person.Chances are you aren’t starting your business with a full time sales person on staff. You might be fortunate and be a natural born sales person. Or maybe your business partner is the sales person for your company (husband, wife, sibling, friend).However, if you don’t come from a sales background there is a lot to learn.One of the core parts of sales is Closing Deals, in other words, getting customers to say yes and pay you.It’s easy to fumble the close. Saying the wrong thing, letting customers always postpone the deal, losing out to competition.Today we are going to discuss traditional closing techniques and how you can use them.The Now or Never Close (Create Urgency)This is a close where you offer a special deal or limited offer based on signing up right now.Right now my vendor has X shirt on sale. If you buy it today I can save you 10% or $200.I’ve got 50 of these shirts in stock on a deal, once they are gone I cannot sell them for that price.Prices all over are going up. The supplies I have in stock are at X price, but I’ll run out soon.I’m looking to fill up my production as I have a lot of jobs next month, but room for one right now. So if you buy now I can deliver faster, but if you wait, it will take longer.The Recap CloseThis is where you recap everything the customer is going to get in a brief summary. Describe everything in detail so they are excited at the idea of getting it. Then ask for the businessYou are helping them visualize the deal.You are getting 50 shirts and 20 hats with your logo. Plus mugs you will get to give away to your clients (which they will love you for.) So we can get those in production this week. Do you want to put the deposit on a credit card?The Quid Pro Quo CloseYour customer may ask for a Deal. “Can you take $300 off?” This means you’ve got an opportunity to present a “favor for a favor” to close the deal now.Sure. Let’s do that. But in return, I’d like to sign you up right now. I’ve got to be very efficient to give you that price so I want to get the process started right away.Yes I can do that for you, but I’d like a favor from you too. I don’t normally pass out a deal like that, and don’t prefer quotes like that floating around. I can say you strong armed me with a promise to pay today.My partner doesn't like deals that slim. They are a challenge with maintaining profitability. However, if you close now, I'll have the excuse that I had to make an executive decision.Question ClosingThis is where you ask a question that the customer agrees to, and therefore the deal is good for them. If they don’t say yes, then you need to dive deeper into helping them or understanding their needs.“Will this order meet your needs and fit within your budget?” Yes. Then let’s get it going so you can move on to more important things."Have I covered everything you need and answered your questions? Does it all look good?" Yes. "Let’s close this up and get to production.""In your opinion, will this provide the solution you need for your business? Then let’s move forward and get your promotional goods in process."Assumptive CloseThis is the power of confidence and positive thinking. Just assume they will say yes.“Ok, so I can send you the invoice right now and you can pay on your phone.""Do you prefer me send the payment via PayPal or with a credit card form?""Let’s go ahead and look at the calendar to pick an estimated delivery date and time. Then I can collect a deposit and get to work for you."The TakeawayThis is when a customer isn’t sure of the price you are charging. So you remove something to make the deal fit their budget. Some people will then begin to think about what they aren’t getting and want to close the deal"Well, if this isn’t in your budget, we can go ahead and remove those mugs you talked about giving your clients. That should save you the money you need to fit your budget.""We can go with a less premium shirt. It won’t be quite as comfortable and long lasting but it will save you money and fit your budget. Not everyone buys the premium shirts."Tips:Never lead with your cheapest product. Start a medium (better) quality shirt, or front and back print or 15 oz. mug. This way if you need to lower the price, you can sell a reduced feature item.Have wiggle room. If you have to make a min of $500 on this deal, don't offer a price where you make $500 right away. Start with a $600 profit or a $700-800 profit, so you can negotiate if neededNever take the first 'I'll think about it'. If they have to think about it, just politely ask them what they are considering or what concerns they have. They may have a concern that you can answer right awayBe confident. Be sincere. Be Honest. The most successful sales people just work hard, and take time to learn the craft. Just like anything else there are little things you can do to help get more deals handed to you!