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
Denise Murphy, owner
A Touch of Elegance Event Planning
www.aTouchofEleganceEvents.com
touch_of_elegance@sbcglobal.net
847-342-1599 – 847-877-4470
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
A Touch of Elegance is a full-service, ala carte event planning service that runs every kind of party be it a birthday, anniversary, shower, or wedding. Eighty-five percent of our business encompasses in-home parties, but we also handle the smaller scale business event. While we usually work with our client’s caterer of choice, we will recommend high-quality caterers when asked. All of our servers and bartenders are professionally- trained and along with serving the food and beverages, our servers help with most everything else ranging from on-site theme party decorations and buffet setups, to table staging and bar prepping. From the moment the food is delivered we begin managing its presentation, replenishment, and tidiness. We do kitchen cleanup, trash removal, put leftovers away so, in the end, you’d never know an event had ever taken place.
OUR UNIQUENESS
Unlike many others in the industry, we actually do have all of the party rental equipment available which eliminates the need for the client to go elsewhere for these additional items. We have enough place settings for 135 people – elegant china, silverware, glassware, chafing dishes, coffee urns. At the same time, we have decorations and accessories available for most every theme party popular, today. Not to mention that my son runs his own DJ business and is always available as part of our package. We truly provide an all-in-one party service.
IDEAL CLIENT
Anyone who would rather sit back, relax and enjoy their own party rather than have the hassle of trying to run the whole event themselves is who we consider our ideal client. Brides-to-be planning a wedding, couples throwing an anniversary party, someone surprising his or her spouse with a birthday celebration, or a small business owner hosting an employee holiday party – all of whom are looking for outstanding service at a great value – fall into our perfect client category.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
My biggest challenge is managing our tremendous inventory of party-planning items and rental equipment in a limited amount of space. Keeping a horizontal and vertical inventory of what we have so that it is easily accessible is an enormous undertaking.
EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
At first, this lack of space posed a real problem, but we took time to create a layout of our available space and installed some cabinetry that not only organized many items, but also concealed them so they were both protected and out of sight. However, my theme party accessories remain visible in bins so that I can mix and match themes easily. To better handle this challenge, I actually took an organizing class and since, have inventoried and documented all of my rental items for better tracking. However, I still find myself reorganizing everything on a regular basis in search of the perfect system. It is an ongoing process and one that works better as time goes by and, at the moment, is working fairly well for A Touch of Class Event Planning.
Showing posts with label jancie long. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jancie long. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Graphic designer's full-circle career spans two continents and 30 years
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
Gabi Ladowski, owner
Gabi Ladowski Design & Creative Services
www.gabiladowski.com
gabi@gabiladowski.com
847-259-6415
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I’m a freelance consultant graphic designer, art director and translator celebrating 30 years of full-service creative for all media. This includes graphic design, packaging, web design, logo design, branding, marketing consultation, and much more. I get involved in the entire project from concept to finish. A sampling of what I create would be corporate communications, brochures, editorials, catalogs, newsletters, advertising, website design, Internet marketing, optimization, brand identity, logos, and signage. More recently, I’ve been offering bilingual translation services used for documentation, instruction manuals, handbooks, newsletters, and advertising. I work with marketing professionals, web developers, copywriters, and others to provide a complete creative service.
MY UNIQUENESS
My full involvement is what sets me apart. I go beyond the traditional graphic design project by getting involved in the client’s marketing strategy in order to provide the best possible service. I research the industry, the client’s competition and take all measures to ensure that the client gets the best return on his or her investment. I work to make the client competitive by anticipating in what other areas I can help with the client’s long-term rather than short-term marketing program. In addition, I’m able to be more competitive than most because I have no overhead, no employee salaries or benefits which allows me to pass along savings to my clients.
MY IDEAL CLIENT
Any business that is open to suggestions would be an ideal client. Also one that is ambitious and wants to get ahead of the competition. Or, a company that understands that graphic design is more than just hiring an artist to create a great one-time design, but it's collaborating with the graphic designer as a means of making their business successful. I guess the perfect client is one who understands the overall value that a designer brings to the table.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
I came to the United States in 1989, after already having established a very successful graphic design business in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arriving here I found myself having to start my career all over, again, from square one.
EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
Initially, I looked for design work among some of the major advertising agencies and design studios, but with no success due to the recessionary economic climate that existed in the late ‘80s. I thought my luck had turned when a vice president of a major ad agency offered me a position – ironically, however, it was in Buenos Aires! Of course, I declined. I finally was hired as the art director of a start-up software company. After a few years there and then with other companies, I was becoming more and more of an independent consultant. At the time, companies were experiencing layoffs, yet realizing they still needed to get things done. I was in the perfect position to create the perfect combination for both them and me. So, in late 2001, I went back to my roots and, once again, started my own firm. Soon after, I was hired by one of the largest book publishers in the country on a contract basis to work on their bilingual educational books. That opened a new market for my business and I added bilingual translation to my list of services. I finally had come full circle – from business owner to creative-for-hire back to business owner and am proudly celebrating my 30th Anniversary of delivering full-service creative for all media.
Gabi Ladowski, owner
Gabi Ladowski Design & Creative Services
www.gabiladowski.com
gabi@gabiladowski.com
847-259-6415
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I’m a freelance consultant graphic designer, art director and translator celebrating 30 years of full-service creative for all media. This includes graphic design, packaging, web design, logo design, branding, marketing consultation, and much more. I get involved in the entire project from concept to finish. A sampling of what I create would be corporate communications, brochures, editorials, catalogs, newsletters, advertising, website design, Internet marketing, optimization, brand identity, logos, and signage. More recently, I’ve been offering bilingual translation services used for documentation, instruction manuals, handbooks, newsletters, and advertising. I work with marketing professionals, web developers, copywriters, and others to provide a complete creative service.
MY UNIQUENESS
My full involvement is what sets me apart. I go beyond the traditional graphic design project by getting involved in the client’s marketing strategy in order to provide the best possible service. I research the industry, the client’s competition and take all measures to ensure that the client gets the best return on his or her investment. I work to make the client competitive by anticipating in what other areas I can help with the client’s long-term rather than short-term marketing program. In addition, I’m able to be more competitive than most because I have no overhead, no employee salaries or benefits which allows me to pass along savings to my clients.
MY IDEAL CLIENT
Any business that is open to suggestions would be an ideal client. Also one that is ambitious and wants to get ahead of the competition. Or, a company that understands that graphic design is more than just hiring an artist to create a great one-time design, but it's collaborating with the graphic designer as a means of making their business successful. I guess the perfect client is one who understands the overall value that a designer brings to the table.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
I came to the United States in 1989, after already having established a very successful graphic design business in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arriving here I found myself having to start my career all over, again, from square one.
EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
Initially, I looked for design work among some of the major advertising agencies and design studios, but with no success due to the recessionary economic climate that existed in the late ‘80s. I thought my luck had turned when a vice president of a major ad agency offered me a position – ironically, however, it was in Buenos Aires! Of course, I declined. I finally was hired as the art director of a start-up software company. After a few years there and then with other companies, I was becoming more and more of an independent consultant. At the time, companies were experiencing layoffs, yet realizing they still needed to get things done. I was in the perfect position to create the perfect combination for both them and me. So, in late 2001, I went back to my roots and, once again, started my own firm. Soon after, I was hired by one of the largest book publishers in the country on a contract basis to work on their bilingual educational books. That opened a new market for my business and I added bilingual translation to my list of services. I finally had come full circle – from business owner to creative-for-hire back to business owner and am proudly celebrating my 30th Anniversary of delivering full-service creative for all media.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Recap of 2010 Featured Entrepreneurs' Stories
Throughout 2010, a great number of local businesses were showcased on this blog. I'd like to thank each and every entrepreneur who participated in sharing his or her story of both their
ambitions and anxieties. I hope you were able to glean some wisdom and new approaches to similar challenges facing your own businesses.
Two things surprised me while interviewing these professionals. One was the genuine willingness of each to be open about their concerns, and the other was the thread of similarities found among their stories. TRANSPARENCY will continue to present new and seasoned entrepreneurs in 2011 as long as the high interest and enthusiasm remains the same as that of 2010.
Thanks to all,
Jan Long
Janlong Communications
janice@janlongcommunications.com
BRIEF 2010 RECAP OF ENTREPRENEUR COMMENTS
Reasons for Starting Their Businesses
Many had personal reasons, while others experienced professional circumstances that caused them to venture out on their own. Freedom from the corporate culture was popular, the ability to operate a business from any location was unique, the opportunity to provide a resource for those in need surfaced, and the unexpected and uncontrollable career shift was the reoccurring reason among many for becoming their own boss.
Sampling of Unique Business Challenges
Starting over always presents a challenge as it did among some entrepreneurs. Starting a business just as the economy crashed presented major challenges to several. Knowing how and when to close the sale is something many entrepreneurs struggled with as did finding new ways to increase their number of clients. Getting prospects to realize how they will benefit from the entrepreneur's services, and finding new ways for potential clients to build the entrepreneur's products/services into their budgets challenged a few.
Some Shared Advice
Besides continually researching and constantly re-evaluating your markets, some entrepreneurs recommended working with professionals to outline your goals; don't be surprised if your business takes more time and money than you originally anticipate; find and build a business that you love doing; don't over-analyze everything - just do it; pay no attention to critics; and, just keep focused and you will surely succeed.
If you are interested in having your business showcased, please contact janice@janlongcommunications.com.
ambitions and anxieties. I hope you were able to glean some wisdom and new approaches to similar challenges facing your own businesses.
Two things surprised me while interviewing these professionals. One was the genuine willingness of each to be open about their concerns, and the other was the thread of similarities found among their stories. TRANSPARENCY will continue to present new and seasoned entrepreneurs in 2011 as long as the high interest and enthusiasm remains the same as that of 2010.
Thanks to all,
Jan Long
Janlong Communications
janice@janlongcommunications.com
BRIEF 2010 RECAP OF ENTREPRENEUR COMMENTS
Reasons for Starting Their Businesses
Many had personal reasons, while others experienced professional circumstances that caused them to venture out on their own. Freedom from the corporate culture was popular, the ability to operate a business from any location was unique, the opportunity to provide a resource for those in need surfaced, and the unexpected and uncontrollable career shift was the reoccurring reason among many for becoming their own boss.
Sampling of Unique Business Challenges
Starting over always presents a challenge as it did among some entrepreneurs. Starting a business just as the economy crashed presented major challenges to several. Knowing how and when to close the sale is something many entrepreneurs struggled with as did finding new ways to increase their number of clients. Getting prospects to realize how they will benefit from the entrepreneur's services, and finding new ways for potential clients to build the entrepreneur's products/services into their budgets challenged a few.
Some Shared Advice
Besides continually researching and constantly re-evaluating your markets, some entrepreneurs recommended working with professionals to outline your goals; don't be surprised if your business takes more time and money than you originally anticipate; find and build a business that you love doing; don't over-analyze everything - just do it; pay no attention to critics; and, just keep focused and you will surely succeed.
If you are interested in having your business showcased, please contact janice@janlongcommunications.com.
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