MyVision Promotional Products

www.myvision.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

We supply a range of promotional products for business, schools and sporting clubs. Branding is the key to your promotion. If it is an event you are planing for, or self promotion then we have production to make you visible.

2. When and why did you start your business?

Started in 2005 after the company i was working for as a graphic designer merged and was offered the same job at a reduced pay rate. I had the skills to run my own business so took a leap of faith.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

I have taken my business from the local suburb level to a national Australia wide market. One highlight was supplying products for the Paralympics 2008

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

I alway try to supply quality products and services to my customer and unfortunately there are some shonky companies out there. I had a lease for an embroidery machine that i saw at an expo. The company supplying the machine promised the world, delivery, service and parts but when the machine arrived damaged it took 2 months to get it replaced and when it did get replaced that machine was not new and not functioning. It took 12 months of correspondance before it came to a head and i lodged a claim through VCAT. All the time i was paying a lease on a machine i could not use and they would not repair. VCAT ruled in my favour and the Lease company had to release me from the contract and the company supplying the machine had to refund what i had payed and lose of income. It had taken a toll on me and my business both mentally and physically as i had to let the factory go and establish my business at home.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

A physical appearance at expo\'s and shows have generated leads in other areas and increased my database to have people to market to. It is very important not to have a shot gun approach to marketing and narrow down your potentual clients.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Online marketing is very difficult as there is a lot of information on the internet and potentually that is all that it is \'information\'. SEO has been a hit and miss as you can never cover all the angles that people search for, they might want a new business shirt but really need a purple and gold polyester polo shirt. There are too many variable to cover all the options. I find it is better to have marketing pointing to your website than rely on someone searching for it.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

The favourite thing i like about my business is that it keeps me active. There are always new challengers to overcome that keeps my mind active and it is physically demanding most of the time.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

My competitors inspire me. Some have been around longer and are well placed in the market place and some are more technological. I think there is nothing wrong with competition but i really dislike the ones that come into the market and crash the prices to get the sales and then leave after 12mth as they have not covered their cost.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

I plan to keep building the business

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

There is nothing wrong with making a mistake or failing in a venture as long as you learn from it

Visit us at: www.myvision.com.au