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 starts with hearing their stories firsthand as through this conversation with
Vern Jones, owner
Sign-A-Rama
www.signarama-barrington.com
vernj@signarama-barrington.com
224-848-4620
MY MOTIVATION
After working in corporate America for 35 years, I had an opportunity to retire. As a result, I took some time to reflect on what it was that I wanted to do. I looked into four or five franchise-type operations that I thought might interest me. A Sign-A-Rama business was one that I thought I could operate successfully in the local community. I had been travelling for so many years and didn’t want to get involved in any new business that required more travel. I also wanted to do something where I could actually see the fruits of my labor. At the same time, I wanted a business that wasn’t so highly technical and skilled that I couldn’t give younger people an opportunity to start a career and learn the industry. I wanted to be able to give opportunities to local people – those who are young and just starting out as well as those have a genuine interest in the business.
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
At Sign-A-Rama, we do all types of wide format and specialty printing for anything from a sign, banner or indoor directional signage to huge outdoor signs including in-ground monument signs, plexi-glass signs, and signs on buildings. Our specialty capabilities include taking a photograph and blowing it up to wall size. We can even print wallpaper that’s hard to find or out of print. We reproduce it as actual wallpaper ready for hanging. We do trade show graphics, sidewalk A-frames, metal and wood signage, custom lettering, and mounting.
OUR UNIQUENESS
We are on the cutting-edge of the sign industry. Our location has one of the first latex printers in the area. This is an eco-friendly printer in that it doesn’t use solvent-based inks which are harmful to the environment. Materials printed off these printers are approved for use inside K-12 schools because they are solvent-free. This truly sets us apart from our competition. We also have the capability of letting customers design and order their signs online which we can either ship or deliver directly to them.
IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
The ideal Sign-A-Rama client is anyone looking for innovative solutions to help promote and grow their business. We cater to small businesses that don’t have or rely on large procurement sources. We fit that need for them. And, our methods of reaching these prospective clients include daily telemarketing, personal sales calls, and a concentrated direct mail effort.
SHARED ADVICE
As an aspiring entrepreneur, make sure you do your research on the front end. Know exactly what it is that you are going to be delivering. From a competitive standpoint, one thing that I could have done better would have been to understand the competitive nature of the business. Having a firm grounding in that respect will help you to better set pricing, target your markets and get on the fast track to success.
Editor's note: To all entrepreneurs who'd like to be featured in future TRANSPARENCY postings, please contact Jan Long at janice@janlongcommunications.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Everyday need develops into new business for entrepreneur-inventor
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 starts with hearing their stories firsthand as through this conversation with
Grace Amante, owner
3J Group, Inc.
www.autotray.net
grace.amante@comcast.net
847-398-5772
MY MOTIVATION
Like many businesses, 3J Group, Inc., was formed out of necessity – the need to develop a product that did not exist. While I was working during the day and taking college courses in the evening, I found myself balancing a quick meal on my lap in the car before class. I tried using magazines or newspapers to stabilize my dinner, but nothing was working. Yet, I couldn’t find anything of substance in the marketplace that would work as an in-car lap table. So, I decided to build a prototype of what is now known as the AutoTray. It’s a compact, portable, lightweight food tray with a non-skid surface that rests comfortably on the lap. It measures only 8” x 15.5” and less than an inch high which makes it easy to stow away in any vehicle. Plus, it has a crumb compartment and an indentation to rest a cup.
MY UNIQUENESS
Similar type products to the AutoTray are heavy, more bulky, expensive tables designed not for food, but for reading and other tasks. Consequently, they are not easily stored in the car, especially if you’re stowing one per person for a normal-size family. My product is thin, yet durable, and fits under the seat, in the door’s side pockets and, of course, in the trunk where it takes minimal space. In addition, I made it a point to make the AutoTray affordable so that the everyday family can easily afford them.
CLIENT PROFILE
Several consumer groups would fall into my ideal client category – People who spend a lot of time in their vehicles and on the road either for work, school, running errands, or taking road trips. Naturally, these would include families, salespeople, truck drivers and students.
MY MARKETING METHODS
For the most part, I’ve been promoting the AutoTray by taking it on the road so to speak - attending networking events, conducting focus groups and by word of mouth. Right now, my immediate goal is to direct prospects to my website. To do this, I’m getting ready to advertise on Facebook™ and Google™, and am considering a YouTube™ promotional video.
SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most about developing this product was learning about consumer habits through my focus groups – what they buy and what drives them to buy. For example, how parents' tastes greatly differ from their children's when it comes to colors. The main thing that I would have done differently would have been to do more upfront consumer research to see exactly if this type of product would appeal to the masses and if so, what they would like to see in such a product. I could have avoided many expensive rookie mistakes had I conducted the focus groups first. But, at least, I know I will never make these same types of mistakes again. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be to do your research up front so you don’t find yourself putting the cart before the horse.
Grace Amante, owner
3J Group, Inc.
www.autotray.net
grace.amante@comcast.net
847-398-5772
MY MOTIVATION
Like many businesses, 3J Group, Inc., was formed out of necessity – the need to develop a product that did not exist. While I was working during the day and taking college courses in the evening, I found myself balancing a quick meal on my lap in the car before class. I tried using magazines or newspapers to stabilize my dinner, but nothing was working. Yet, I couldn’t find anything of substance in the marketplace that would work as an in-car lap table. So, I decided to build a prototype of what is now known as the AutoTray. It’s a compact, portable, lightweight food tray with a non-skid surface that rests comfortably on the lap. It measures only 8” x 15.5” and less than an inch high which makes it easy to stow away in any vehicle. Plus, it has a crumb compartment and an indentation to rest a cup.
MY UNIQUENESS
Similar type products to the AutoTray are heavy, more bulky, expensive tables designed not for food, but for reading and other tasks. Consequently, they are not easily stored in the car, especially if you’re stowing one per person for a normal-size family. My product is thin, yet durable, and fits under the seat, in the door’s side pockets and, of course, in the trunk where it takes minimal space. In addition, I made it a point to make the AutoTray affordable so that the everyday family can easily afford them.
CLIENT PROFILE
Several consumer groups would fall into my ideal client category – People who spend a lot of time in their vehicles and on the road either for work, school, running errands, or taking road trips. Naturally, these would include families, salespeople, truck drivers and students.
MY MARKETING METHODS
For the most part, I’ve been promoting the AutoTray by taking it on the road so to speak - attending networking events, conducting focus groups and by word of mouth. Right now, my immediate goal is to direct prospects to my website. To do this, I’m getting ready to advertise on Facebook™ and Google™, and am considering a YouTube™ promotional video.
SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most about developing this product was learning about consumer habits through my focus groups – what they buy and what drives them to buy. For example, how parents' tastes greatly differ from their children's when it comes to colors. The main thing that I would have done differently would have been to do more upfront consumer research to see exactly if this type of product would appeal to the masses and if so, what they would like to see in such a product. I could have avoided many expensive rookie mistakes had I conducted the focus groups first. But, at least, I know I will never make these same types of mistakes again. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be to do your research up front so you don’t find yourself putting the cart before the horse.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Clinical social worker making public aware of insurance-covered talk therapy
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
Connie McKeogh, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Adult Counseling & Therapy Practice
847-845-8033
connie@socialworker4therapy.com
http://www.socialworker-therapist.com/
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Connie McKeogh, MSW, is a private practice in Barrington specializing in talk therapy. I am a licensed clinical social worker and certified alcohol & drug counselor licensed by the Illinois Department of Regulations. I received my Masters degree in social work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago. My belief is that people are often confronted by life circumstances that have the potential to negatively impact their emotions, concentration, finances, employment, relationships, health and marriage. Human nature dictates that we turn to our friends and family to process these experiences. While this can be an effective method to relieve stress, over time, we are often stressing out our friends and relatives with our stories. I provide the safe environment where clients can confidentially process their personal and/or professional fears, concerns, ideas and goals. As part of this therapeutic process, I advocate, empower, encourage and link clients to services, as needed.
MY UNIQUENESS
What sets me apart from others in my field is that I maintain a multicultural practice. In addition to treating people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, I have also worked with clients from Poland, India, Iran, Guatemala, and Mexico. My practice is also unique in that I provide high-level treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. For 12 years I provided such treatments to hospital emergency room patients. This training led to my practicing with an addictions psychiatrist in a group practice which propelled me into my own private practice.
IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Any one who wants to process personal life concerns in a safe and confidential atmosphere with a trusted therapist would qualify as my ideal client.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
A great number of people are unaware that licensed clinical social workers are allowed to bill insurance companies in the same way that doctors do. As a result, these same people fail to seek the therapy that they desperately need. Medicare is another example of a well kept secret. It’s not commonly known by baby boomers and senior citizens that Medicare pays for talk therapy. My challenge is to do what I can to get the word out and educate every insured person on the fact that he or she can affordably take advantage of my services.
EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
Through networking and communicating via every possible method, I am sharing information on therapy awareness and affordability to all who need to know about it. The back of all insurance cards lists the Mental Health and Substance Abuse contact number. Calling that number will lead to a list of licensed clinical social workers in one’s local area – which includes Connie McKeogh, MSW. I am currently on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Health Care and Medicare insurance panels – soon to include Aetna Insurance. The more people know about the services available to them, the sooner they will be on their way to good mental health.
Connie McKeogh, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Adult Counseling & Therapy Practice
847-845-8033
connie@socialworker4therapy.com
http://www.socialworker-therapist.com/
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Connie McKeogh, MSW, is a private practice in Barrington specializing in talk therapy. I am a licensed clinical social worker and certified alcohol & drug counselor licensed by the Illinois Department of Regulations. I received my Masters degree in social work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago. My belief is that people are often confronted by life circumstances that have the potential to negatively impact their emotions, concentration, finances, employment, relationships, health and marriage. Human nature dictates that we turn to our friends and family to process these experiences. While this can be an effective method to relieve stress, over time, we are often stressing out our friends and relatives with our stories. I provide the safe environment where clients can confidentially process their personal and/or professional fears, concerns, ideas and goals. As part of this therapeutic process, I advocate, empower, encourage and link clients to services, as needed.
MY UNIQUENESS
What sets me apart from others in my field is that I maintain a multicultural practice. In addition to treating people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, I have also worked with clients from Poland, India, Iran, Guatemala, and Mexico. My practice is also unique in that I provide high-level treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. For 12 years I provided such treatments to hospital emergency room patients. This training led to my practicing with an addictions psychiatrist in a group practice which propelled me into my own private practice.
IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Any one who wants to process personal life concerns in a safe and confidential atmosphere with a trusted therapist would qualify as my ideal client.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
A great number of people are unaware that licensed clinical social workers are allowed to bill insurance companies in the same way that doctors do. As a result, these same people fail to seek the therapy that they desperately need. Medicare is another example of a well kept secret. It’s not commonly known by baby boomers and senior citizens that Medicare pays for talk therapy. My challenge is to do what I can to get the word out and educate every insured person on the fact that he or she can affordably take advantage of my services.
EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
Through networking and communicating via every possible method, I am sharing information on therapy awareness and affordability to all who need to know about it. The back of all insurance cards lists the Mental Health and Substance Abuse contact number. Calling that number will lead to a list of licensed clinical social workers in one’s local area – which includes Connie McKeogh, MSW. I am currently on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Health Care and Medicare insurance panels – soon to include Aetna Insurance. The more people know about the services available to them, the sooner they will be on their way to good mental health.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
