Hello everyone!
I've been away for a while as 2011 proved to be quite challenging as well as emotionally draining on a personal level, and ironically through it all turned out to be one of my best years in business yet! One of the first topics that has been weighing heavily on my mind has a lot to do with my business and protecting its brand.
I could have never imagined five years ago where I would be today. After hiring someone to provide instant photos during my own daughter’s Sweet Sixteen and ultimately not getting what I paid for, I found the best revenge was to start my own business and providing that exact same service to clients. Ultimately that is how Hot Shots Instant Photo Favors was born.
Four years later, we have a proven track record in providing our service to extremely happy clients including the many moms and dads who have trusted us to provide our service to their guests as well as Trump SoHo, Shriners Organization, Christian Brothers Academy, Chai Lifeline, Oak Hill Academy, etc., the list goes on! Many of my clients hire us year after year, proving without a doubt that we are doing something right!
I could never have gotten to where I am today without the support of my family and friends. From that first Sweet Sixteen booking four years ago to now booking up to two events on any given day, we have come a long way and I am incredibly proud of what my incredible team and I have accomplished together.
Ok here goes. I have been contacted time and time again from DJ/Entertainment companies as they are very interested in offering my Hot Shots Instant Photo Favors to their clients. Now I understand that they are in a prime position to book clients since they are the next in line to be hired after the date and hall have been selected.
However, here's the pitch I get from the DJ company "I can get you hundreds of jobs a year, our clients always ask us for Photo Favors, blah, blah, blah.” Yes I have heard that many times before and I'm sure you can. Sounds great huh! Hundreds of jobs a year, yes I thought so too. Here's the kicker, not only do they want to offer my service to their clients, but they want to put THEIR names on MY product. My reply, "I'm sure you can but seriously, I don't think so!"
They seem surprised, “Really! Why? Why would I want your clients to think that your company provided our service after working so hard to build my own phenomenal reputation in this industry. We would not only be there to accommodate the needs of your client, but our Photo Favors are sent home with each and every guest at the celebration, in the hopes that one day they may need our services. When they look on the back of the frames, our business name and information can be found so they are able to contact us should they ever be in need of our services.
Why would I want each and every one of those guests to think that it was the DJ company that provided our excellent service instead? With that being said it now becomes apparent that buying into this concept would now have MY potential clients contacting the DJ directly to ask about the Photo favors the client believes were provided by them.
In turn, the DJ will contact us for our service as well as tack on a ridiculous fee simply for the referral and then once again will want to put their name on the service. I am not willing to have another company profit from our great products, good service and professional reputation. Cashing in on the experience and reputation of another person's accomplishments is not in my opinion, an even exchange.
I choose instead to respect and work with many others in this industry, and you all know who you are. Together, we have built incredible business relationships recommending the services of one another based on merit and professionalism, and I continue to enjoy working with all of you. I especially love seeing how we have all grown through the years.
As someone who has worked in this incredible industry for nearly 15 years I have learned alot. Never sell yourself short. No one can sell your product like you or your own trained staff. I leave you with this thought... Stick to your guns, Believe in your dreams, and Never put someone else's name on your product.
Until I type again.....
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