Where Do I Go from Here When Starting a Business

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants or lectures or selling. We are not doing this for our employers, but rather for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will make your business better, and our industry better. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

News

• REGGIE Award nomination reminder… https://2regularguys.com/reggies You have until November 11th at 5 PM Central Time

• S&S Activewear acquires TSC Apparel S&S Activewear (S&S) has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire competitor TSC Apparel (TSC), marking S&S’ fourth acquisition since 2010. Founded in 1976, TSC has grown from a regional T-shirt supplier into a national distributor of blank apparel and accessories, serving over 30,000 customers. Today, S&S says its products can reach 99% of the U.S. within two days and 44 states in one day. According to S&S, joining forces with TSC will allow it to bring a larger depth of inventory and an expanded product offering to the marketplace.

• The Virtual Applique Getaway is coming up from the 12th to the 14th of November. There is a great lineup of educators, including, Kristine Shreve. Lisa Shaw, Sheila Ryan, Jeff Fuller, and many more. Aaron has a session on Finding Your Niche and the price for all this education is $25. www.2regularguys.com/ag You will be able to view all of the education on into 2022, so sign up and then you can watch what you can and also want again over the holiday breaks.

Dad Joke: What do you call a beehive without an exit? 

Unbelievable. (Un-bee-leave-able)

Starting a Business

Aaron: Terry I’m excited about today. As you know I love working with small businesses. I have found when working with small business owners they are so mired in the details that they forget the big picture. So I have made it my mission to preach the fundamentals and the grand vision so they have a foundation that can withstand setbacks. Because of that, you might notice that I’m spending a lot of time in the success principles, finding your why, setting goals, business planning, and more. Most small businesses actually have the tools to handle the details, but their lack of foundation makes them uncertain so the tiniest details freeze them and share resources to gain confidence and take action.

But with all that said if we can also give them the more nuts and bolts type tips, I believe we can also help our industry grow. So if you are an experienced business owner, we would love your feedback on what you suggest, and also you might be able to take a tip of today that maybe you missed or need to go back and revisit. If you are new, get your yellow legal pad out!

But Terry, I’m going to ask you a favor. You have to keep me on target, and out of the clouds as I can already see where I will get off track. Some of these items and questions I’m already thinking about how having a marketing plan, a clear mission, and brand identity is the answer, but I know I can do this. You are in charge. Where should we start?

Terry: Let’s start with the nuts and bolts of answering “What kind of business do I want to start?”

TC: What’s the need in the marketplace?

AM: What is your niche – What are you passionate about?

-I know it seems like I’m getting back in the clouds here, but doing work where you get to also participate in a passion or interest, is almost required. Being in business is not easy at times and there will be some low lows. If you don’t have a little bit of passion for who you are working with and what you are doing, you will become a statistic. If it is just about money, I know hundreds of decorators who would hire you. 

-when you are ready to narrow down your niche into what people might be looking for, here are some nuts and bolts for you. 

Visit your niche’s subreddits and evaluate the subscriber count and level of engagement.

Use Facebook’s Audience Insights tool to gauge the size of your niche on the platform.

Scan this list of popular hobbies on Wikipedia for inspiration.

Aaron: Your marketing plan

Terry: Business cards – (my personal pet peeve)

Aaron: The nuts and bolts… licenses, tax ID, etc. Business license in your state and sometimes local. Fed and State Tax ID 

Describing your business? Light manufacturing

Terry: Buying equipment and Supplies (Sourcing)

Aaron: Getting educated

5 Places to Get Education (Where you are not the product)

From Aaron Montgomery OurSuccessGroup.com

1. Most* Industry Trade Shows * If the class is free the presenter paid for the room or at minimum the travel and they have to recoup their expenses by selling you a product.
2. Hands-on Class from TerryCombs.com
3. Measurement Marketing (Great SEO Training) https://oursuccess.group/MeasurementMarketing
4. CorelTrainer.com
5. OurSuccessGroup.com

Be Part of #5Things

If you would like to present your 5 Things, five quick points on any subject whether it be advice or five instructional steps, we would love to hear from you. You can come on the show and present them yourself, or we will share your list with our listeners or even play a recorded video of you sharing 5 things. Whatever is easiest.

Reach out to us at info@2regularguys.com, Contact Us or at our Facebook Page.