I've been a member of my local Chamber of Commerce for nearly four years. Meeting representatives from different sized companies and various industries has been very interesting. I've belonged of different committees, worked on various projects and was elected to the Board of Directors. Currently, I'm Second Vice President. Early on, I notice that many businesses didn't fit into the categories of "small, medium, large" companies.
The sponsorship levels were divided by number of employees. The "small" business category was for companies with 50 or fewer employees. I have one employee: ME. Many of my fellow businesses were in the same situation. Five or fewer total employees.
I am a Microbusiness. I fit most of the criteria: Sole proprietorship, less than five employees, service business with little inventory and I started my business out of a love for what I do. There are dozens of definitions for what constitutes a "microbusiness", but there are also dozens of online resources. I can list of few but Google will make this job easier. (Some GREAT resources for microbuisnesses)
Whether we are entertainers, plumbers, massage therapists, dog walkers; microbusiness owners are similar in many ways. Marketing, budgeting, selling, paperwork, correspondence. And of course doing the actual work, which is why we do what we do!
Above all, the entrepreneurial spirit lives in us. We want to answer the questions, solve the problems, invent the ideas and smile with pride at the surceases.
By the way, my Chamber of Commerce created a new sponsorship category for microbuisness members. I am proud to be the first Committed Member!
Thad James
Owner, operator and chief bottle washer
SAMMY J Balloon Creations
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
A wide and varied weekend
As I prepared for this weekend's work, I realized the Job Sheets included entertaining at a company picnic, decorating for a high school prom and twisting at a trade show booth. Each job requires a completely different mindset, approach, preparation and execution.
While I'm thrilled to be able to handle a variety of events, it has taken years to develop the ability to switch hats for so many different tasks. Each of these clients required different techniques to sell and each has different expectations of my talents.
The company picnic expects a fun-loving, wise-cracking balloon guy who jokes with the employee's children while impressing everyone with great creations. Since this is a re-book event for last few years, the client knows what to expect. The kids look forward to the balloon entertainment every year. I just have to be hilarious, engaging, creative and fun. But only for a few hours.
The trade show client hired me to bring new customers to his booth and entice them to listen to his pitch, take a brochure or even sign up for his service. The client gets the advantage of having a unique draw for his booth that the other exhibitors can't match. I have to not only be entertaining and creative but I have the added benefit of a tangible result: more potential customers drawn to the client's booth without the bottleneck of a long line. I have no doubt I can bring traffic to the booth. I understand the power of the balloon. I had to sell the client on the idea and now I have to deliver. (No problem!)
The high school prom committee contacted me months ago to discuss their prom decorations. This was after they saw my decor for a dinner/auction. They thought the idea of balloons at their prom would be very unique. I met with the committee, emailed bids, received proposals, mailed a contract. The clients (committee) expect the most beautiful, unique ballroom that will inspire memories for a life time. Quite a bit of pressure for a bunch of air-filled bags of latex.
Juggling the different jobs is easy. I have the confidence to entertain the kids, bring in customers and enthrall the prom dates. Managing the different expectations takes a lot of work and finesse. But it makes for a very interesting and tiring weekend.
While I'm thrilled to be able to handle a variety of events, it has taken years to develop the ability to switch hats for so many different tasks. Each of these clients required different techniques to sell and each has different expectations of my talents.
The company picnic expects a fun-loving, wise-cracking balloon guy who jokes with the employee's children while impressing everyone with great creations. Since this is a re-book event for last few years, the client knows what to expect. The kids look forward to the balloon entertainment every year. I just have to be hilarious, engaging, creative and fun. But only for a few hours.
The trade show client hired me to bring new customers to his booth and entice them to listen to his pitch, take a brochure or even sign up for his service. The client gets the advantage of having a unique draw for his booth that the other exhibitors can't match. I have to not only be entertaining and creative but I have the added benefit of a tangible result: more potential customers drawn to the client's booth without the bottleneck of a long line. I have no doubt I can bring traffic to the booth. I understand the power of the balloon. I had to sell the client on the idea and now I have to deliver. (No problem!)
The high school prom committee contacted me months ago to discuss their prom decorations. This was after they saw my decor for a dinner/auction. They thought the idea of balloons at their prom would be very unique. I met with the committee, emailed bids, received proposals, mailed a contract. The clients (committee) expect the most beautiful, unique ballroom that will inspire memories for a life time. Quite a bit of pressure for a bunch of air-filled bags of latex.
Juggling the different jobs is easy. I have the confidence to entertain the kids, bring in customers and enthrall the prom dates. Managing the different expectations takes a lot of work and finesse. But it makes for a very interesting and tiring weekend.
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