DON'T LET THEM GET YOU DOWN!

Here is a very short "snippet" I came across recently that reminded me quite simply to never give up on what you believe in. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

-Pete

ADAPTATION IN A CHANGING ECONOMY

Owning a business can be tough in today's turbulent economic climate. When the economy turned South after the housing market collapse, I don't think there is one business owner that can say they were not affected in one or more negative ways. The question is, how did they adapt to these changes? We have been around for almost 30 years, and have always seen a natural growth with limited marketing and advertising, the result of a combination of factors. We have always provided personal service, technical expertise, and a guarantee on the quality of the work we output. However, at the onset of the "economic crisis" in 2009, our company saw its first loss, or "down year", since 1982. I knew we were not alone based on the conversations I had with our customers, as well as other business owners I had been in contact with. Almost immediately, we knew that we would have to change the way we did things in order to survive. It had become, as Darwin had applied to natural selection, survival of the fittest. We could no longer go about "business as usual" and expect everything to work itself out. When adversity strikes hard, you have to strike back even harder. In the past few years, we have learned to adapt to the changing world around us, developing a website that not only is an excellent marketing tool, but an informational tool for our customers as well. We have embraced the Social Networking phenomenon, utilizing sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to convey our business messages across multiple platforms. We have invested in new technologies, as strong as the temptation was to save the funds for a rainy day, in order to streamline our internal processes and continue to innovate and provide new offerings to our core base of customers. This is the type of adaptation that is necessary to thrive in today's economy. Whether you are a Fortune 500 company, or a family owned small business, it is crucial to make changes in the way you do things in order to survive. We have seen a staggering number of businesses fold over the past few years, many of them customers we have known for 20+ years, but at the same time, an equal number of new businesses have been coming to our door, and they are coming in with a new, fresh, positive outlook on things. They have embraced the change, adapted to it, and are ready to move forward without looking back.

Adpro Imprints is a full-service marketing company with locations in Monmouth County. We offer in-house t-shirt printing & embroidery, vinyl sign and vehicle lettering, offset printing, graphic design, and countless other promotional products. Feel free to visit one of our retail locations in Ocean & Farmingdale, or visit us online at www.adproimprints.com for more info.

Peter Demaree, President
Adpro Imprints, Inc.

ARTICLE FROM CNN MONEY

This article is an unfortunate blow to our industry. We will do everything we can to keep costs low and quality high!

FINDING VALUE IN T-SHIRTS

Custom printed t-shirts remain a time-tested, value-proven method of promoting your business or organization. No matter the state of the economy, the state of the world, your location, vocation, or religious beliefs, virtually everyone owns and wears (albeit sometimes too frequently) a favorite t-shirt. T-shirts, just like anything, can range from inexpensive to very expensive, but what most people don't realize is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a high quality t-shirt that gets your message across. In the world of t-shirts, there are, generally speaking, the "basics" (eg Hanes, Jerzees, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom) and the "premiums" (Hanes Beefy T, American Apparel, Next Level). The difference in cost between these 2 levels may only be a few dollars per shirt, and these few dollars could be the difference between a shirt that people love and want to wear all the time, or a shirt that finds its way to the bottom of a drawer, awaiting its inevitable trip to the goodwill bin. What makes a t-shirt "expensive" is the amount of labor and creativity that goes into decorating it. What most people don't realize, and what we try to let our customers know, is that a shirt doesn't have to printed in full color, or even multiple colors, to have a positive impact. If you go to any retail outlet and check out the "Graphic Tees" section, most are printed in 1 or 2 colors on a nice soft shirt, maybe with a distressed fashionable design. With some innovative design work, and a good combination of color, any premium shirt can be printed with an eye-catching, single color and be just as, if not more effective, than a boring design printed in 5 or 6 colors on a basic t-shirt. And it could be the difference between your shirt (with your organization's name on it) becoming someone's favorite or winding up on the bottom, while simultaneously saving you money in setup and print costs.

-Peter

SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

It's that time of year again…time to clean the garage, sweep under the rugs, wash the window sills and put away all that winter stuff. As the weather gets warmer, most everyone does some type of spring cleaning at their homes. But what about your business? Now is a perfect time to take a similar “spring cleaning” approach to your business, so you can be more effective and efficient the rest of the year. Below are 6 areas of your business that could probably use a good spring cleaning.

Your Workspace

I’ll be the first to admit that I am the biggest of packrats, but even if you aren’t, there’s a good likelihood that you’ve accumulated some stuff. Start by keeping only the absolute essentials on your desk surface. It will really help you chi if you keep things simple and neat. Find a different place for printers, magazines and that smart phone charger of yours. Then get some bins or file organizers for the things that you are currently working on. This will help to free up some real estate on your desk and clear up any clutter that you had, you may even find a sale or two that was buried.

Your Organization

If you have procedures that have been proven to be unproductive, inefficient, or just plain unnecessary, then it’s time to clean house. It is never easy to start fresh when it comes to the way things are done within an organization, but now is a good time to think about giving your employees the proper tools to maximize their productivity.

Your Services

Spring is a good time to start to identify and organize your offerings and/or services using a ranking system from the most profitable to least profitable. Market and develop the most profitable, spend less time on those in the middle, and eliminate the services that are least profitable and that drain the resources of your company.

Your Marketing Collateral

Pull out your business card or marketing brochure, take a good look at it and think about if it is sending the right message about your business. Does your logo need a facelift? Does your brand message need revamping? Does the content need some cleaning? Make sure that your collateral is a vehicle for driving people to your business as opposed to simply being a piece of printed material that gets put into the round file (garbage can).

Your Inventory

Are there products that you haven’t you promoted in over a year because they just don’t fit with your model any longer? If you have product that is usable but not something you want to continue offering then do some sort of clearance sale, people love to think they are getting a great deal. And if it’s not something that you feel is sellable, then recycle or donate it…whatever you do get rid of it, you’re tired of looking at it anyway.

Your Accounts Receivable (A/R)

Take the hit on uncollectable A/R and start this spring with a clean list. Constantly chasing money that you know deep down is uncollectable is draining to your resources and your sanity. Will it hurt your balance sheet? Maybe, but I can tell you that your banker likes inflated balance sheets a lot less than these asset write-offs.

So this weekend (after you’re done cleaning the garage) do a little spring cleaning of your business and I promise come Monday morning you will be fired up and do great things!

P.S. Let us know if we can help with the marketing collateral thing.

John Zalepka
Adpro Imprints, Inc.

What's With This Weather?

But seriously, what is with this weather? I don't ever remember seeing this much cold, snow, rain, sleet, and misery rolled into one season! People complaining about the weather via social media, horrible, disastrous news stories, and just downright depressing attitudes seem to have everyone in a real funk right now. Question is, what can we do about it? Obviously, we can't do anything to control the weather, but we can certainly do more than a few things to help cheer each other up. Now's a better time than any to let the ones that are closest to you know how much they mean to you. Try to put a smile on someone's face wherever you go. It will make a huge difference in the way that person's day is going. Lend a hand! If you see someone in trouble, stuck in the snow or slipping and falling on some ice, help them out! What goes around comes around, and if you can do one little thing to spread some positivity around, it will come back to you when you need it. Maybe you can even stop in to your local Adpro location and say "Hi". We sure would love some company on these cold days. Even if you're just here for the free coffee, we appreciate the patronage. So be happy, stay positive, and most importantly, stay safe on the streets and in your cars until this all blows over. It will be Spring before we know it. Or will it ever come? Where's that Groundhog anyway...

OCEAN TODAY ARTICLE

Family Owned and Operated Adpro Imprints, Inc. Provides Unparalleled Personal Service, the Highest Quality Printed Apparel & Promotional Products, and the Latest in “Green” Printing Technology

“It’s important to recognize the changing needs of our customers and be willing to grow to better serve them and the community,” said Adpro Imprints co-owner, Peter Demaree, Jr. “In 2010 we improved our computer and database systems, experimented with environmentally safe printing and cleaning products and are looking to expand our operations in 2011. For us, 2010 was a very good year.”

Part of what made 2010 such a good year was upgrading to a new computer system. “Our new computer system is called Shop Works and it is a database driven system that was designed by professionals in our industry,” said co-owner Anthony “Luis” Lugo. “Our order entry is faster and more efficient and with more data storage we can customize more effectively. Ultimately, Shop Works allows us to provide our customers with a much higher level of service and that’s what we constantly strive to do.”

A family owned and operated business for the last 28 years, Adpro Imprints is a full service marketing company specializing in corporate and casual apparel, promotional products, screen printing, embroidery, full custom graphic design, digital printing, offset printing, business stationary, signs & banners, vehicle lettering, greeting cards and full color digital copies.

“Not only do we want to provide our customers with great products and services, we also want our employees to have a safe and comfortable work place and do our part to keep the environment and our community safe,” said Demaree. “To that end we have been making the transition to becoming a completely “green” business.” To date, Adpro Imprints uses only soy and plant based cleaning products and solvents. “We use a water based adhesive in printing that can literally go right down the sink without hurting the environment and we have been experimenting with water based inks,” added Demaree. Currently the printing industry as a whole is working on becoming 100% phthalate free which is a chemical derived from oil and used in ink.

“Even though we are always looking at new ways to grow with our customers, it’s important to us to remain small enough to provide the individual service they have come to expect,” said Demaree. “It is what makes us stand apart from the crowd, and what helps us remain at the forefront of an increasingly competitive marketplace. We now employ 15 full & part time employees who are truly family. The majority of our work is done in house so that we have complete control over every aspect of a project.” Over the years Adpro has built a solid reputation for quality work, excellent service and guaranteed delivery. Any outsourced work only goes to prescreened, top quality vendors who meet Adpro’s standards.

“Our company has been utilizing Adpro for almost three years,” said Crystal James, ILS Manager of R4 Incorporated. “They have provided us with short sleeved & long sleeved t-shirts, polo shirts, fleeces, coveralls (hot & cold weather), coats, gloves, hats, and all types of other promotional items. During this time we have received nothing but the best customer service. The staff at Adpro goes above and beyond to meet the needs of R4 Incorporated. No matter when we call they are willing and able to get what we need from their vendor(s) and embroider them in a very expeditious manner. Our employees in Iraq and Afghanistan love the quality of work that they provide and constantly ask for the link to ADPRO so they can order other items on their own. Adpro, thank you for providing such excellent service to our company."

"I have worked with Peter and the Adpro Imprints team now on a number of occasions,” said John Braun of Signature Safety, LLC. “From t-shirts, to embroidered golf shirts, to hardhat decals, everything was completed in the highest quality, in a timely manner, and with friendly service. Not to mention, the prices were great! Not only do I plan on continuing to use Adpro, I have already recommended them to a number of colleagues who have since begun using Adpro as their exclusive provider, based on their satisfaction with the service and product. "

"Over the past 5 years, ADPRO Imprints has been providing my retail business with fine quality, t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, signs and more,” said Kay Harris of Asbury Galleria. “In addition to their great printed work, the quality of their embroidery work is excellent as well. I couldn’t be more satisfied. Their prices are great and their work is always delivered on time. I’ll never need to look elsewhere. Even more importantly, I don’t think you will find another supplier who can provide the level of personalized attention given by Luis, Peter and all of the staff from the front office to back office. Thank you, Adpro. I am looking forward to many more years of doing business with you. Keep those t- shirts coming!”

“We take on any size job,” said Luis. “Whether it’s one t-shirt or 50,000, we treat each order with special care. We like to consider ourselves a marketing one stop shop. We want to help you promote your business. Our in house graphic designer, Jessica Sharon, is probably one of the best designers in the business.” Jim Pagano of JF Kiely Construction Company commented, "Pete, Luis and their staff are professionals in every sense of the word. No matter what the design requirements, quantities, or material, Adpro delivers. Their service and turn around time is exceptional. I have been ordering my shirts from Adpro for the past 4 years and will continue to do so."

Both Demaree and Lugo say their success is also due to the support of their families. Demaree resides in Ocean with his wife, Cheryl , 4 year old daughter Madison and 1 year old son, Weiland. Lugo resides in Long Branch with his wife, Ruth, sons, 8 year old Michael and 2 year old Dominic and 5 year old daughter, Naomi.

“Adpro has been a fixture in our community for three decades, founded on the concept of continually exceeding our customer's expectations,” said Demaree. “We do that by constantly improving our systems to deliver the best product at the most competitive price.”

For more information about Adpro visit their website at www.adproimprints.com or visit one of their convenient retail showrooms.

Adpro Imprints, Inc.

1206 Rt. 35 South
Ocean, NJ, 07712
732.531.2133
732.531.2142 fax
info@adproimprints.com

5103 Rt. 33/34
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
732.938.5225
732.938.5224 fax
john@adproimprints.com