Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
I've tried for 3 years to get my screen printing company going strong . . . but instead it is just crawling along. I think the main problem is employees - I waste my time training them only for them to leave. So I pretty much work alone doing the sales, marketing, art, prep, printing. And needless to say, I'm tired!
I am thinking I just need to close my shop, open a storefront and contract the print jobs elsewhere. And maybe get a really good website going too.
Any thoughts would help - please give me any advice, opinions, and tips. Cause I am very frustrated and confused right now.
Last edited by swannn32; February 12th, 2009 at 05:41 PM.
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
Well, we would have to know what your strengths are. If your strengths are production, then maybe you should be doing that and outsource the sales & marketing?
If your strengths are sales & marketing, then by all means explore outsourcing production. If your a good enough salesman, you'll be able to sell the higher prices you'll need to maintain your income level.
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
one thing I've learned in life is never to employ a newby in any business, It takes too much of your time and aggravation to give him a free education on your expense.
The moment they learn something they usually think they know better than you, will start up as a rival competitor and poach your customers by undercutting you.
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
Swann - I feel for you. I am doing pretty much the same thing (1 man shop) and that includes embroidery. You will need to find a contract printer who is willing to print at a low enough price that you can afford to keep the store open. Were we live, we have 1 acre so we are putting up a 35x40 building to move the shop into.
Put an ad on one of the other message boards and you might find someone in your area already trained.
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ino
one thing I've learned in life is never to employ a newby in any business, It takes too much of your time and aggravation to give him a free education on your expense.
The moment they learn something they usually think they know better than you, will start up as a rival competitor and poach your customers by undercutting you.
Well, luckily none of them have opened rival businesses - at least not in my same area!
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by big frank sports
Swann - I feel for you. I am doing pretty much the same thing (1 man shop) and that includes embroidery. You will need to find a contract printer who is willing to print at a low enough price that you can afford to keep the store open. Were we live, we have 1 acre so we are putting up a 35x40 building to move the shop into.
Put an ad on one of the other message boards and you might find someone in your area already trained.
I agree - I talked with my husband over the weekend and I think I am just going to have to let go of my control issue and find a good contract printer!
I am going to come up with a whole new business plan. Kind of a fresh start (but still keep my old customers).
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
if your good at art.. just start your own line on the side and contract out the printing.
i was a 1 man army since 2000... but doing renovations/design/build/marketing/website/etc.. i know the stress and time consumed.... it gets old real quick.
first you will need a website.... then contact a printer and see if you can get reduced rates if you send them work... maybe you do the file/art layouts still and they just print..
Re: Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area.
Do you think you could still keep your current customers if you closed down your shop? If you think that you can, why not ditch the whole idea of having a store front in the first place. You might find that since you have already available customers, speading your reach online will end up helping your bottom line. Before contracting out, I'd suggest ordering from several fulfillment centers so as to ensure quality of the product, since as an owner yourself, you'll defiinitely want to be picky on that.
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Thinking of switching business direction to be more outsourced with an actual storefront instead of a shop in an industrial area. 
