Jamie's Blog

EMHE Trading Card

EMHE Trading Card
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

Our brand new Trading Cards that we released Fall of 2006. This Trading Card Name Plaque was made especially for the Extreme Make Over Home Edition Season Premiere. The Girl was made to look like the daughter, Laura in the Rodgers family. We were under the impression (they told us) that she was a cheer leader. This was not the case, she was the only girl and the designer decided to label her the 'family cheer leader'.

Extreme Make Over Room

EMHE room
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

November 14, 2006.

I think I am finally able to write about what happened with Extreme Make Over Home Edition Season premiere. It did not go as planned:

The shot of the door to Laura's room with the Trading Card, whizzed by so fast you could only see it if you freeze-framed very slowly as they came into the room(yes I did that a few times)

This image was showed for less than two seconds when Laura's room was unveiled.

Our company name did NOT come in the roll, at the end of the show (the credits)

The designer that organized the whole room (who promised we would be in the credits), um, yes that company's name was listed.

Our company name or website was NOT listed on the EMHE website.

All in all it was pretty disturbing at first.  I did not sleep well that night, having told everyone we would be on.  So, so many people even said they recorded it and watched but never saw our products (Well, gosh people you should NOT blink, I repeat do NOT blink when watching the show, or you will miss something).

Now many of you might say it was not worth it - but it was.  We are getting included in not one but two articles due to our participation in the show.  We are going to be featured on a local TV Show here in the Bay Area due to our participation in the show.  And.....from what I have been told Laura was exstatic, she was just thrilled with the room....not bad, not bad at all.

Flying Under the Radar?

September 23, 2006.

When speaking with other business owners in my industry, whether it be bedding designers, re-sellers, artisans, boutique owners, sales reps, one common assumption is made of my business: we have flown under the radar.  Four years in business come this November (though it seems like longer) and we have not had any major disturbances, i.e; no products sold on Ebay, no company in China ripping off our designs, no flea market knock-offs, no similar tile artist, nothing, nada - we have been safe.

Let me clarify what I mean....other companies have not been so lucky, I have had no one blatantly copy my concept, artwork or style.  For example, take  Drooz Studio (http://www.drooz.com/) artist Shelly Kennedy's company has been around for awhile.  She was an innovator with putting a 'mural' on canvas and then hanging in on a decorative rod.  Last count, I think she has at least 15 other companies copying her concept, her art style and some are blatantly ripping off designs she created.  Now, I do not know Shelley Kennedy personally, but I have enormous respect for her company,her talent (she is a real artist to boot) and her ability not to go ape-shit crazy on these copy-cats (I don't think I could be so cool).  So....if you read my blog (psst...read the one before) you know how I feel about fake-artists and copying....breathe Jamie, breathe.

Which brings me back to JPD, we have been either very lucky or very smart (I put my money on lucky).  In 24 hours our products will be on a national, top rated TV show.  If all goes according to plan, then some 10-17 million viewers (checked google for statistics) will see our products and hopefully catch our company name in the credits as it flys by (or more realistically check the website we hope....). I do realize that many other companies have been on EMHE before, and we are not the first.  However, the ones I have tracked have already had national recognition before being on the show.

The expression "careful what you wish for" could very well be coming true.  I admit nothing may happen, our products may zip by and it does not affect us at all...but it might.  When I started this business I decided to go all out, and not just 'dabble' in the industry.  About 1/2 way through my first year in business a friend asked me why, why would I want to continue to get bigger and bigger?  She wanted to know what would compel me to do this.  I merely stated, "If I am going to do something, I want to do it....otherwise what is the point?  Why do something 1/2 ass?"

So....here we go!

National TV for JPD!!

September 18, 2006.

Okay, I am a pretty strong proponent of writing a blog vs. writing a newsletter and calling it a blog.  I have seen lots of these (you know who you are) and they make my blood boil.  I mean, PLEASE tell us something we don't know.  And the advertisements/blogs , don't get me started.

Uh, but like the the sappy love song that contradicts itself...here I go with some NEWS (However, I think something can be learned from this):

Jamie's Painting & Design was contacted this summer about supplying  products for an Extreme Make Over Home Edition episode.  We were sworn to secrecy and given colors, theme and a very tight deadline. We sent them over-night and held our breath in anticipation of the products getting lost or broken in transit (thank you Fed Ex they arrived in one piece).

Two of our products will be featured on Extreme Make Over Home Edition Season Premiere on abc 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. this Sunday, September 24, 2006.

Now this in itself is very big for us, we are super-excited to be a part of something so amazing and the exposure is something we could not have ever gotten alone. 

I mentioned our opportunity to another company and they said that they considered doing this, yet it would be too costly.  I honestly disagree - you can not PAY for this kind of exposure, and to be a part of such an amazing organization.  Our company name will be on the roll at the end of the show and we will be on the website forever!  We say yes to charities, auctions, hospitals, churches all the time-we always have, even when we were itty-bitty.  I feel very lucky and blessed to be able to do what I love and I believe in giving back.

I think companies should pay attention to the image they are portraying.  Giving back to the community that supports you is a must.  You never know when they might stop buying your products.....what comes around goes around.

Who wants free Publicity?

August 9, 2006.

This is the by the far the most frequent question asked of me, "How did you get that publicity?".  I have to admit I have a few things I have learned and some suggestions for everyone wondering where to start.

Now, not to brag but if you look at my site (http://www.jamiespnd.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?page=buzz.html) I got all of that PR on my own, for free.  And if you say that oh I don't need that - well guess what that PR equals sales.  Our birth certificates were featured in Better Home & Garden Kids' Room in the fall of 2004 - our sales grew by 100% on line for the next six months.

Now, truth be told we are  now working with a wonderful PR company for our new pet products and have some amazing press coming out this fall.  However...if you are on a budget and want to do it yourself, read on:

Start with trade magazines for your industry.  I would suggest getting physical copies of them (call and they will send you a copy) and read them....see where you may fit.  A product placement?  A story about what your company is doing?  A feature?  This can drum up business for you and validate your business.  Find email addresses, or phone numbers and PITCH them your company.  Make sure and pitch the correct person though - pitching your product to the receptionist gets you no where.  If you are able to bend the ear of a journalist and they choose to pass on your product (or story) ask why.  Find out what they are looking for.  I have found many magazines have set times for certain products (holiday items, accessories in the spring...etc.).

Take baby steps, Publicity takes a lot of time.  Make it part of your weekly, if not daily routine. 

Working Mother...Oh Yeah!

May 26, 2006.

Last year I read in Lisa Hammond's Book, Dream Big(http://www.femailcreations.com) twice at least and did do one thing she mentioned about putting together a wish list, or an inspirational board.  The theory is you cut out things you 'want' or 'want to do' and put it somewhere you will see it every day and remind you of your goals.  I put all of the things I wished to accomplish on my board, and on a whim posted a cover of Working Mother Magazine.  Lisa suggest the bathroom, but err - no, not in my house, try the garage (where the studio was and I spent every frickin' day...).  So when we moved into new office space and I had a REAL office, the board did not make the move.

Which made what happened all that more amazing., I had responded to a Working Mother email questionnaire about a year ago....then in April of this year,I got an email from a journalist asking if I could be interviewed for an article in Working Mother, my answer -HELL YA!

Well, if you catch the latest Working Mother (www.workingmother.com) and don't blink, and read cover to cover you will notice I am featured in the Desperate (non)Housewives article (not the company, just Jamie Lentzner).  Ya, ya I know you thought I was the Entrepreneur Mom (ha- good one, right), but I digress- I got to give some good tips on getting your children to help clean the house.  I was interviewed for an hour, it was a great experience.

So.....where does this leave me?  With Oprah, Entrepreneur Magazine, business plan, investsors, debt free, larger channels and many other goals on my board, I get to cross one thing off my board - if I could find it.  It was a huge honor to be in Working Mother, all working mom's should read this magazine.  I felt a sense of accomplishment, although I will admit two paragraphs does not parlay to 'Cover Working Mother of the Year'  but I take baby steps....

Take what you can get, be proud of yourself, pat yourself on the back.  Seriously, set some goals with your business and go for it....and when you accomplish them - tell people, smile, be graceful.  It feels good!  Make tiny goals...you can get them -it just takes perserverance and answering EVERY email in your in-box ;).

An interview today, great...

February 23, 2006.

So, about 8 months ago I responded to an email from the editors of a magazine.  Last week, mid-move and between trips back and forth I got a response in email.  A reporter for the magazine had gotten the remarks and wanted to interview me for an article.

I shoot off a quick email, agree to the interview and then forget about it.....until last early this morning around 4:00 a.m.  I have been awake ever since.  I was supposed to respond to her questions in email and then confirm time for short interviewm early in the week.

Of course when I get into the office I am having email/DSL/heating/toilet/electrical problems.  I spend a good 2 hours crafting creative funny answers in an email.  After sending off (well I can't due to the damn email problems) I call to confirm - then we do the whole interview on the phone.

She said I was a great interview, funny, informative, had great ideas.   We totally hit if off, I enjoy talking to her.  I am high-fiving myself, publicity for the business -woo hoo!  This is great, maybe they'll want a photo,  a whole spread, I know a feature on me...wow this is it, fame and fortune.

Then she says, Oh, not sure how we will list you in the article, probably artist.  Sniffle, weep....oh well.

What is the saying, "All PR is good PR"?  The PR can't be good if THEY DON'T SAY WHO YOU ARE!!!!