Monday, March 21, 2011

Sustainable furniture refinisher helps clients see potential in reclaimed pieces

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Kelly Rauch, owner
TWICE
P:773-467-9063, C:773-297-6396
www.kellyrauch.com
kellyrauch@sbcglobal.net

ABOUT MY COMPANY
Twice is an environmentally-sustainable custom furniture, upholstery, drapery and wall finishes studio. We acquire and refurbish reclaimed vintage and antique items that have been discarded. We find most of our pieces through auctions, garage sales, and estate sales across the country. While we do sell some re-purposed pieces that we completely refinish in our store, we are mostly interested in getting people to come in and select unfinished pieces that we can custom finish according to their personal tastes and requirements. At the same time, we encourage people to bring in existing pieces that can easily be refreshed and reused as opposed to needlessly tossed away. We also work with designers who are looking for one-of-a-kind pieces or custom wall or furniture finishes for whom we can put together an entire room schematic. On the other hand, they can give us just an idea of what they are looking for so we can suggest an item that they might select and sell to their client.

MY UNIQUENESS
We’re unique in two ways. One is that we are a little old school in the sense that we have everything in one place. All of our artisans are in-house under one roof. This includes an upholstery and drapery workroom, as well. Secondly, we are the only business in the entire Midwest that belongs to the Sustainable Furnishings Council which is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players founded to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Ideally, our clients are interior designers, architects, and homeowners who share our sustainable practices mindset and are incorporating these ideals into their own businesses or lives. They need to be in tune with the moral and ethical purpose behind what it is we do.

CHALLENGE
Our number one challenge is getting people to see past the current condition of the pieces they’re looking at and see the potential and possibilities that lie within them. Designers don’t have this problem. They can envision what an unfinished piece will look like once it is completely refurbished with new wood treatment, fabric and detailing. However, we have a difficult time getting retail clients to experience the same vision.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
What seems to be working rather well, is our taking a rough piece and refinishing it as far as we can – treating the wood, replacing any necessary springs, doing the re-stuffing and then covering the piece in a basic muslin. While it is rather costly, getting pieces to this more final stage seems to give potential buyers a better idea of what the finished product will look like. All that's left for them to do is select a fabric and let us finish our magic.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Incorporating natural resources into landscape designs is mark of new entrepreneur

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with

Asta Dzeveckaite-Buseman, owner
Asta's Landscape Designs
http://www.astasdesigns.com/
630-862-4069
d_asta2002@yahoo.com

MY MOTIVATION
The reason for starting Asta’s Landscape Designs is similar to the same one heard over the past several years – the economy. I have a bachelor’s degree in land management and a master’s degree in rural territory planning, along with post-graduate courses in landscape architecture. I also have over 12 years of experience in the landscape design business working for independent landscape firms most of that time. These were companies tied to the residential housing market. Not surprisingly, with the downturn in the housing market, the company I worked for began downsizing its number of employees of whom I was one. Since I truly loved my work and had some solid business connections, I decided to go into business for myself.

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Along with providing landscape and hardscape design services to residential clients, I manage their entire installations, as well. I help homeowners make the most of their outdoor spaces either by adding a private patio, a functional walkway or peaceful garden surrounded with colorful flowers. It’s always a thrill for me and my crew to transform what the client has in mind into reality. As a dedicated conservationist, I also encourage the collection and use of rain water and the planting of shade trees to keep homes naturally cool while purifying the air. I’ve become involved with creating “rain gardens” of native flowers and plants that are fed with water redirected from the home’s gutters into a prepared ground area comprised of top soil, compost and sand. This combination acts as a filtration system that cleans the rain water before it reaches the deep root system of the plants.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
Any residential homeowner who needs help with either their overall landscapes or just portions of them would be considered my perfect client. Someone whose landscape just needs some attention by adding annual flower containers for seasonal color or refreshing such as trimming, pruning, removal of overgrown shrubs and replaced with healthy new plants. Or someone who would like to incorporate some water features, ponds or hardscapes into their existing gardens would fit my ideal client profile.

MY UNIQUENESS
I feel what sets me apart from my competition is the fact that I am so conscious about the environment and intent on using as many natural resources in my designs as possible. Unlike some who are more interested in creating your generic landscape elements, I am more concerned about the well-being of the overall surroundings and health of the plantings. In addition, I always instruct the homeowner on how to take care of what was just planted.

HOW I MARKET MY BUSINESS
While most of my business comes from referrals, I promote my business through my website, some Facebook™, and by attending local business networking events. I may look into connecting with local real estate agents who have had houses on the market for quite a while and would need a refreshed landscape to help sell the property.

SHARED ADVICE
I’d tell others who are considering starting a new business to be aware that it is a long growth process. It takes time to build your business to where you want it, especially when the economic climate is questionable. Also, expect to do most of the work yourself until that time when you can hire help. Meanwhile, continue staying on top of your profession through continual education and new training. I would advise all soon-to-be entrepreneurs to carefully examine your potential, but don’t be afraid to follow your heart. Your success will come from your desire to do what you love to do. Like me, I have a passion for creating landscape artistry which I am confident will lead me to my goals of a successful business.