Last Lecture

          Well, we've hit the conclusion portion of the $100 challenge. I've attached some images that I am currently working on below. They still need to have the store stamp on them (their name, location, etc). I am really happy with the way things have turned out. I got over a little bit of anxiousness in talking with the business owners and I know that these ads are delivering on the promise that she'll get more traffic in her store as well as more sales.

         My first suggestion to anyone wanting to try something new is to have a clear vision of what you want to do. This took me a while to grasp, but once I was able to clearly communicate my vision, I was able to tell them how my business would help theirs. Granted, I have yet to make money on this idea - but I feel like because of the positive results with the business I'm working with - I feel like if I started talking with larger companies in a bigger area,  I'd be able to monetize my efforts. I used my small town as sort of proof of concept. 

         The second thing I learned is that things take time and things come up with take even more time. For example, I had to go to surgery (unexpectedly) and that took almost a full two weeks out of the time that I could have been working on finishing this project. I also had to schedule around the models and photographers time tables.

          In one of the reading activities we've done for this class, we talked about being a consultant for a business. I felt that working through this project I became a consultant for the business owner I was working with. It felt like she hadn't changed anything about her store in about 30 years. When I mentioned changing one thing that didn't have to do with my project - I could feel the wall coming up in her countenance. Towards the end of my project, she got to talking with me about what I'm going to do with my major. I told her my plans and she finally said, "You know, you should buy my store when you're done." The thought has been running across my mind since she said it. It's really amazing what doors open up when you make good impressions on people.  

Homestretch

So last week I was gone due to having a minor surgery in Seattle, but there wasn't much to report anyways.

          This week the wheels are actually rolling. I've picked out the outfits and items that Sandi wants to promote. She was thinking along the lines of spring weddings and prom and kids. This is great because it'll involve a few more models than I was expecting. I went into the store and after I was done picking the items to have in the photo shoot, I started contacting my models via phone and looked around at the tiny "end of the line" store. It might be selfish and/or prideful, but I really felt like I could really turn that place around. I hinted at a suggestion between calls and decided it was pretty futile. Owners I don't think see the possibilities once things have been the same for so long.

         The shoot is going to be Sunday morning at a studio. There are a few basic backdrops and my heads is buzzing with all the little details I've got to arrange. Next weeks post should be fun because I'll be able to post some of the photo's that I've been editing.

         One of the last things I'll need to do is figure out a way to see the increase of traffic. I haven't gotten that far yet, but I want to make sure that I've thought it out before the campaign launches.