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Monday, December 6, 2010

Hello 2011

Mistakes, I've made a few.........But I did it my way.  Frank Sinatra's words could certainly apply to me.  As we finish our first partial year in business I have an opportunity to look back, and to look forward.  And, yes, there were mistakes.  Did I gain any knowledge from these mistakes?  Does the little piggy go wee wee wee all the way home?

But that was yesterday, and yesterday's gone.  Are you sensing a musical theme here?  So now I look forward to 2011 with the knowledge I gained from our first year.  That new insight will be to the benefit of our customers.  Focus on the two or three things that most people want and do them great.  We have always done things well, we just want to be better.

So in 2011 our main focus will be on apparel decoration.  While the other items to decorate are great, most people look to us for apparel.  What methods are we going to use for decorating apparel?  Again, there are several choices.  Screen printing, vinyl, with all of it's varying types to rhinestone, all of which I like.  There are also a couple of other methods of heat transfer, but our focus will be on the three mentioned.

To outsource or to do it ourselves?  We have and will continue to do our own apparel decoration, with the exception of embroidery.  However, there will be more focus on providing embroidered products.  To be able to create the quantities you want and need is our goal and by outsourcing, we would have to have larger minimums.

We will however outsource promotional products.  There are so many different types of products available that we want to be able to offer and the best way is to utilize the synergy of a Promotional Products Distributor.  With their ability to pull from different manufacturers, it gives us the tools and means to bring to you and abundance of advertising specialty products.

There are many other tid bits of knowledge that we picked up along the way.  Inventory, vendors and vendor relationships, shipping, packaging, pricing, advertising and the list goes on.

But what we gained the most this past year is the friendship of many great people.  Many of you encouraged us, applauded us, thanked us, advised us and were there for us.  Without you we would be packing it in right now and be looking to do something different.  So thank you for supporting www.presteejustees.com and www.mwcenterprises.biz and for being our friends.

May you enjoy the Spirit of Christmas and have a fantastic New Year.

George and Anna Rivas
MWC Enterprises

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mid Term Elections Satire

The commercials are airing and the door hangars are appearing.  People are knocking on doors.  All this is going on so I can be made to vote for the candidate they are representing.

In 1972 I turned 18 and voted in my first Presidential election and I haven't missed one since.  I've voted for Congressmen, Senators, state legislators, city council, school board and water district commissioners.  I have been an avid supporter of the political system.  I believe in our system, and I think it's the best in the world.  So what is the point of this essay and why am I putting it in this blog?  Because I have become disillusioned with how politics are being played today.  Also, starting a small business, my choices can have a more direct effect on that business based on what type of legislation is passed.  With that, I'm rethinking my past beliefs and adopting new ones.  Here in no particular order are what is important to me?

1.  Tax Bribes.  Okay, refund, rebates whatever you want to call them.  As long as we are going into massive debt, why not just give the money to me.  I'll spend it, recirculate it and put it back into the economy.  It's got to be better then giving it to banks and Wall Street who just horde it.  They wouldn't even buy large boxes of Tide with Fabreez, but I would.

2.  Earmarks.  They need to get rid of them.  Unless MWC Enterprises can get one.  I would be happy to receive a $20,000. earmark to study the effects of Tide with Fabreez on t-shirts.

3.  Term Limits.  Come on, really.  A lifetime of living off the generosity of the taxpayer.  I think a one time term of 6 years ought to be enough.  If you can't contribute to fixing problems in that time, then obviously you are a loser and don't deserve another chance.  That should cover just about everybody who's in office now.  At least with term limits we can get a new loser every six years.  Oh, and no retirement and medical benefits when you leave office.  You have to live like the rest of us.  Good luck with that.  Oh, and you can't wash your clothes with Tide with Fabreez.  You would have to use the stinky detergent.

4.  Political Ads.  They have gotten so nasty and mean spirited over that last few elections.  Remember the adage "if you can't say anything nice".  So, no political ads "if you can't say anything nice".  That should get rid of all political ads and I can start watching regular Tide with Fabreez commercials again.

5.  Overseas Jobs.  The politician who can get the law changed that says:  If the job can be done in the USA, then it would be  illegal to take it overseas.  That guy would get my vote.  I'll bet just about every job that goes overseas now could get done here.  We could make our own Tide with Fabreez.

6.  Immigration.  What a huge mess that is.  I'm sure there is someone though who has the courage to get immigration laws changed.  It would take someone with a backbone and immense courage to get the law changed so I could immigrate to Cabos once a year for 2 months.  I would even teach people there how to use Tide with Fabreez so they could  contribute to their local economy.

7.  Social Security.  IT'S FOR RETIREMENT.  PERIOD.  If we stopped using it for things other then retirement, we wouldn't be running out of money and wouldn't have to think about raising the retirement age to 99. Well retirement, and one box of Tide with Fabreez every month so we wouldn't be stinky old people.

There you have it.  Why certain things in politics are important to me now that I have a small business.  We can't continue with business as usual, or I won't survive.  We need these changes.  Small businesses are the wheels that turn this economy, and if we can succeed, then the economy will once again be productive and unemployment will again be low.  And everyone, except ex-politicians will smell good, because our clothes will be washed in Made in the USA Tide with Fabreez.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Being a Home Based Business

I don't know how many times a day I hear cars drive by our house.  They drive by but yet they don't stop.  No cars pulling in the driveway and asking us what we have for sale.  No minivans with families popping out ready to shop.  No couples with their Starbucks cup in hand rummaging through our shirts.  We don't have a large billboard of a sign out front (darn zoning laws) announcing who we are.  No, none of that.  Not having a retail store front, but rather being a home based business we miss out on that.  So is that a bad thing.  No, because we enjoy working from the solitude of our home.

But it does present its challenges.  How do we find our customers?  Well of course we use the internet with our websites, use social media and pretty much pester all of our friends and family.  I do think it's having an effect in that our circle of friends seems to be shrinking.  So what does a home based business do?

Our first tool is our website, www.mwcenterprises.biz.  Simple enough, right?  No.  Just like customers trying to find your physical location, they still need to find your online presence.  No simple task.  I mean they can't pull into a gas station and ask for directions.  Men, I'll explain that one some other time.  With websites it's all about being search engine friendly and getting noticed by the multitude of search engines out there.  Search Engine Optimization is a full time job in and of itself.  So we do what we can with respect to SEO and hopefully over time we get more results.

Next, we use social media, with Twitter and Facebook being the most used.  I know there are a variety of different social media venues out there but within my diminishing circle of friends, those seem to be the most relevant.  Are they effective?  I truly believe the answer is yes, but it doesn't just happen.  Again, it's something that evolves over time.  Initially, your friends on Facebook (again, the remaining ones) support and encourage you.  They are the ones that give you the strength to continue and fight the battle for another day.  Over time more friends and their friends become a part of your Facebook family.

Twitter on the other hand I'm still grappling with.  Twitter with it's constantly moving time line is something that really seems to be hit and miss.  Trying to deliver the right message in 140 characters or less in that moving time line is more difficult.  There is also a lot of Twitter etiquette that you need to know about.  I recently saw an article of 100 do's and don'ts with respect to Twitter.  Thank goodness there isn't 101.  Having "followers" on Twitter doesn't mean customers either.  I do try to follow people in my local community in hopes that I will eventually "tweet up" with someone who can be a customer.

This year will be our first in having a Yellow Page ad promoting promotional products and custom apparel.  The book comes out in just a couple of short weeks and we will have to wait and see if it's an effective form of advertising.  If it turns out that it is, we will expand our ad next year into other nearby communities.

There is an ongoing ad on Craig's List that hasn't been very productive, but it's free, so it will stay.

This winter we will be attending flea markets.  We can offer a variety of shirts at "flea market" pricing and possibly promote custom services and our e-commerce website, www.presteejustees.com.

We have looked at attending various events to set up a booth, but some are very costly, and for some the waiting list to get booth space is pretty long.  It is however, and area to pursue.

One other area under consideration are some local community newspapers.  In some cases you also get an online ad at no additional cost.  Since we are providing a service to the local community it would seem a good  venue for advertising dollars.  There are also some "shop local" mailers that can be considered.

Line cards and good old fashion sales calls also are being planned.  Face to face communication is a time honored tradition that I don't think is completely obsolete because of the internet.  Call me old fashioned.

Our best advertising however comes from our repeat customers and good old word of mouth.  That has been our best and most cost effective way so far.  It's the one that also validates what we do and makes us feel good about the choice we made to be a home based business.

So do we need a parking lot in front of our house with painted yellow lines and a physical location.  No, just a sense of eternal optimism, faith in our product and those that support us.

Monday, June 7, 2010

I Believe


I Believe is the latest shirt that's going to be added to www.presteejustees.com. I Believe is a shirt with just a simple statement without any great graphics or artwork. It's just a statement that there is a belief that you have.

This was an idea that my daughter came up with. Maybe it's for children who want to believe in Santa Claus. A child grows up so fast anymore, and to be able to hang onto that belief just gives them a longer childhood. A gift that can warm a child's heart and make him smile, even a simple gift, can only have been brought to them by a Saint, named Nick. Let them Believe.

We all have strong beliefs'. I believe that we live in the greatest country on the planet. We fought, we endured. We dreamed, we built. We had obstacles, we overcame. Throughout our history, we faced challenges and rose above and created something better. So, in this place, I Believe.

There are people of Faith. Diverse, yet a core belief that Someone is guiding their life and lifting them up through all of the roadblocks on their journey forward. So, in Faith, I Believe.

Dreamers of all kinds who have had ideas and a drive to make things happen, Believe.

Entrepreneurs that take risks, Believe.

People who envisioned equality and civil rights, Believed.

The people looking out into the stars for another place like ours. They believe.

I Believe can be whatever you want it to be. You just have to "Believe".






Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Customer Service

I have been in industry for over 30 years, where providing customer service was job one. It didn't matter what product you offered, just how well you took care of your customer, whether on the phone or standing across from you.

The one thing I have taken away from all these years of working in a sales capacity, is that there is no cookie cutter method of taking care of people. All people are unique, and bring to you their own set of issues and requirements. Being unique requires that they get taken care with a focus on their needs. Maybe two people are coming in for the same product, but they each have different ideas of what feature or benefit is important to them. If they don't care about one feature, but you think it's important, just gloss over it and talk to them about what they perceive is important.

Maybe they don't know anything at all about your product or service. Then you have to start asking questions and find out what interests them. Point out all the bells and whistles, but listen to, and watch your customer and see if they are following you or have lost interest in what you are saying. Keep them engaged. Don't do all the talking, but more listening.

So where am I going with this. Now that I am working for myself, I find that I am both the customer and customer service representative. But I want to talk about being the customer in this new industry I have chosen to be a part of.

I started out not knowing anyone who did this or any supplier. In the course of the next year, I started working with several vendors, acquired equipment and supplies and began the journey. I got involved in social networking and have come to meet a lot of people (on line) through this venue. Last year I didn't even know anything about Twitter, and now use it daily, along with Facebook. The people on line are vendors and others in the industry. I have even selected one other screen printer to be my mentor and he has provided me invaluable assistance. Thank you Gary.

But what of the people who supply products. Wow, there really are a lot of them. Some extremely helpful and some who just sort of take you for granted. So let me just focus on a couple of people who have gone out of their way to provide help to someone who is just a little guy in this big pond of apparel decorators.

Yesterday, I had a need for some emulsion and found someone local in Portland. I filled out an online contact form and they immediately got a hold of me. I then went to their location and was totally impressed with how they took care of me. I was a customer, not an interruption. I left with my supplies, literature and a sense that they would soon be a primary supplier for my screen print and vinyl needs. The company was Midwest Sign and Screen Printing Supply.

The other company I would like to mention is EnMart, www.myenmart.com. I placed my first order with them for some screen print transfers. I uploaded the artwork, incorrectly, sent them an e-mail mentioning my boo boo and they immediately responded to my e-mail and took care of it. The next day, they called to verify the submitted artwork, and because of that call resolved what could have been an incorrect transfer. Again, my bad, in submitting the artwork. They could have just sent it as submitted and then tell me later it was what I sent them, but they went the extra step to verify. I also know that when the transfers arrive, they are going to look great!

What does all of this mean? By being a customer I have a greater insight of what my customer might want and expect. I have always been good at taking care of a persons needs, but now I can really appreciate some things that I may have taken for granted before. So now, I move forward with greater insight.




Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dreams and Starting Over

Is it ever to late to start something new? That dream you've always had but never really got around to doing. I believe the answer is no, it's never too late. We just need to have the dream and act upon it. That however is easier said than done.

Not to long ago, I had and idea and started to move forward with it. I thought I would like to be in the decorated apparel business and sell t-shirts on line. I thought it was something I could do part time, grease the wheels for retirement, and then be able to kick back and enjoy the later years.

Well the reality is that it isn't something you can do and NOT devote the necessary time to. So as I moved forward I found I was more involved in it then I thought I would be and unfortunately, the people I worked for noticed also. I say unfortunately, but that's not true. I did work for a really great company, and I could have stayed more focused on their needs and in a few short years I would have had my retirement, but not my dream. So, they noticed and our relationship ended.

That sounds unfortunate, but really it was the kick in the butt I needed to really start focusing on my dream. Now I have the time and a need to jump into the drivers seat of my own destiny and steer myself to success.

What lies ahead? A road filled with potholes or a smoothly paved superhighway. I think a little of both. Certainly obstacles, and opportunities. But dreamers look at obstacles as opportunities and work through them and learn from them. Will it be easy? That's the last thing it will be, but if it were easy then why would we want it, or want to challenge ourselves. If we didn't have the worries, the sweat or the angst, then would we be able to enjoy the smiles later? Not at all.

Now, after a lot of years I'm going to live my dream and admittedly, I'm a little scared. But, I am also proud of the accomplishments so far and my optimism will carry me forward. That and my partner, wife and best friend who has always been there for me.

Dreamers, keep dreaming and don't be afraid to pursue it, or it could become something you'll look back on and regret.

www.mwcenterprises.biz encourages you to chase the dream.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Why I Like Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation is a process used to embellish more than just apparel. Dye sublimation allows you the opportunity to create dozens of products that can be used as promotion for companies and as keepsakes for individuals.

Yesterday, I made a few sample products using dye sublimation and I have to admit that the results exceeded my expectations. Why? I have been in the business world for a lot of years and I'm always getting "free" promotional items. For the most part, they are all basically the same; pens, calendars, memo pads and such. The dye sublimation products I made resulted in images with brilliant colors, and can be very personalized. The great thing about it is that you don't have to order 500 of something to get a very reasonable price. Why would someone order 500 of something when they only want 25. It makes no sense. Dye sublimation gives you that latitude.

Our business model is to provide products to small business and individuals who don't want or need 500 of something. If you only want 5, then we can do that. For that matter, if you only want one, we can do that.

How about set up fees? Those big promotional companies will charge a set up fee even if you are ordering 500. How much set up can there be when adding just text or a quality JPEG image. Not much. They ought to be able to recoup those costs in the cost of the product. With dye sublimation we don't need to charge a set up fee. You get an e-mail with an image, hopefully good quality, size it for the item being embellished, print it and apply it. Now, hopefully, people will order more than one of something, but it really doesn't matter with dye sublimation.

www.mwcenterprises.biz will offer a full range of products that can be dye sublimated. We want to be the advocates for the small business person who still needs to promote but doesn't have the "Wall Street Budget". He needs to keep his money. People are always looking for personal keepsake items, but find that when something is custom made, it can sometimes be quite costly. That's not the case with dye sublimation, which gives fantastic results at very affordable price points.

So am I a fan of Dye Sublimation, you bet I am. Should you be a fan of Dye Sublimation? You should if you want to save money. Is www.mwcenterprises.biz a fan of Dye Sublimation? Yes, because we work for the "Main Street" business person, not the "Wall Street" conglomerate.

Finally check out some sample images on our Facebook fan page by clicking on the link at our website: www.mwcenterprises.biz.

Thanks for taking the time to read and look forward to you comments.


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Website Coming Soon - Sneak Preview

Well, I think we are getting closer to the launch of www.mwcenterprises.biz and we are getting pretty excited about it.

We will have some interesting and unique products. Obviously, apparel is going to be our number one offering, but we also are going to offer several promotional products. Have something made with your business logo, or a personal item with a photograph added to a product.

Since originally starting out, screen printing wasn't really being considered, but we want to be able to offer a wide range of apparel and product decoration. Now, we have screen printing capability, with the addition of new equipment.

The website will have a gallery of pictures showing some of what mwcenterprises.biz is capable of providing. As we add more items we will publish them in the photo gallery.

We are really excited to be able to offer all these items to you with little, or no set-up charges.

As we get closer to launch, we will update you but in the meantime, here is a sneak preview of the website:

http://www.mwcenterprises.biz/index_new.html#

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Friends, Family and Social Networks

Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo and oh so many more. Social networking sites can consume a lot of our time these days. Many of us are now on Facebook and other social networking sites.

Why? We friend people we don't know, and have this lust to have a horde of friends and followers. I just think that for so many of us, we just can't escape our physical world and find a certain connection in the cyber world. We have jobs we're committed to, and obligations that don't allow much time to travel and to get away. For many, our friends and family are scattered all over the country, so social networks can be a mirror into the lives of those who aren't always nearby. For others it's a great way to reconnect to family that we didn't even know we had. We also use it to champion causes, and promote business.

For me, it's all of the above. I'm kind of a social butterfly, both in the real world and the cyber world so when I can't be out and about, I like to lurk here in the wired world.

I also view it as a great place to promote a business. www.mwcenterprises.biz is our new start-up and our web site will be up soon, so social networking sites are a great way to let our friends and family know about this new adventure. They can follow our journey through our blogs, our posts to Facebook and Twitter and dare say I, face to face.

The main thing though about social networks, is that people and not lost and forgotten. We are all out here looking to be found again, and to Facebook and Twitter, I say thank you for helping us reconnect.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Credit Cards

Moving into the new year, MWC Enterprises will be set up to take credit cards. We will be able to process VISA, Mastercard, and Discover Cards. Beginning Monday, January 4th, 2010 we will have the terminal up and running. We look forward to working with you in the new year on any promotional products that we are able to provide.