Ive been seeing some posts about having examples of your work for customers to see. I dont have a showroom, I have a shop that is 14x24 with some of my mounts in there but not too many 3 deer,a bobcat,pheasant, and a brook trout, plus whatever is waiting to be picked up, cuz of the limited space. How much do you think this will hurt my business? I do take pictures of everything I finish and have a photo album for the customers to look at, but I dont think that the pics do the mounts justice. IM just wondering how much it hurts me that I only have a couple of real things to show people and that I only have one room to work in and I do everything but salting in there. Thanks for any comments, Kevin
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Hi Kevin, I am not a full-timer. I did do a lot of work to help put me through college (obtained a BBA in financial planning and risk mgt/insurance). In looking at different businesses - especially what I've seen on taxidermy (and this is just my opinion), I do think location/professional set-up is crucial depending on your bus strategy and your cliental. If your business is based on wholesale or distant customers (or ranches) - the location/set-up really shouldn't matter. However, if you're pushing avg joe as the client, a high profile location would be VERY benefifial. The location will draw in cold clients and then with a nice, well kept office and display (show room), you can win the client. A taxidermist whom I am very close to is working out of his work shop coverted taxidermy studio by his house - this of course is convenient to him, but is in the middle of nowhere with a small/limited show room. If he moved to a good location on a major highway/city street with traffic and incorporated a nice setup, I expect his business would double at the very least (making the rent payments more than worth it). Now, this is jsut my opinion based on what I've seen of the taxidermy industry as well as the various businesses I studied in entrepreneurship classes in college. Now as far as having superior quality work making up for location/set-up, I think location wins. I did a lot of cold-calling and serious marketing to get business. I live way out of town on a low traffic road, so I had very little/none exposure outside of what I drew in. Speaking with the deepest and most sincere humility, I believe I mount pretty good birds (93 in TX masters this year)(and fyi, my website has not been updated for sometime), and while the quality does draw in additional clients - the avg joe passerby doesn't see it. it is strictly referrals and those that do research and specifically seek you out that will be clients. If there is little you can do about the show room as it sounds, then so be it. However, if you are full-time and sincerely seeking expansion, I personally would consider moving to a high profile location.
I apologize of the length. You can take this however you wish. I'm certain people will disagree with me (and say so), but different opinions are great and very necessary. No person knows it all and I think everyone's thoughts carry great weight and should be considered. Again, I do not do this full time, this response is merely my attempt to allow you to see another's perspective.
I wish you the best,
Brian
Thanks for the input Brian. As of right now I am only part-time, hoping one day to go full time. When that time comes I will be putting in a bigger shop with a show room in the front to meet and greet customers. I was just wondering about right now starting out if it really hurt me that much to not have a showplace for my work other than the few hanging on the wall, and also people seeing my whole work area. But I guess there isnt much I can do about it as of right now, I just wanted some opinions. Thanks again, Kevin
and optimize those things in your control like the quality of your work, professionalism, cleanliness, return time etc. Most of us have been there.
I have been doing this about 14 yrs and my new shop is the first I have had with a seperate showroom and it is not big by any means. Most important is to keep your work area neat and orderly looking. This reflects the quality of your work for anyone who walks in. You obviously care about the impression you give to your clients and that is a good thing. Good luck to you.