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Strategy

Distributors, Decorators Share Business Fears

As a small-business owner, what are some of your biggest fears? We checked in with Wearables readers to find out the kinds of issues and dilemmas that keep them up at night – and what they do to resolve them.

Jane Swanzy, Swan Marketing: The problem: getting a really large order I can’t produce myself in the timeframe needed. The solution: Having a great contract embroidery shop that I know does the same – or better – quality of work as I do and that has the capacity to turn large orders quickly.

Larry Cohen, Axis Promotions (asi/128263): Product safety liability. Given numerous federal and state regulations, there’s a risk that many items will not be compliant, which puts our clients and industry at risk. We have a compliance team that trains our employees, evaluates suppliers and hires third-party testing agencies to test products. Our entire industry is based on the trust between supplier and distributor, so it’s important everyone works hard to ensure the supply chain. Price can only be one factor.

Steven Bohm, VIP Marketing Services: Looking for answers on how to provide affordable healthcare to employees. When will small business be able to join together and bargain with the insurance companies as a larger group?

Doug Fenstermaker, Scribble & Drips Lettering and Graphics: Lately, our biggest issue has been out-of-stock items and wasting time trying to find comparable pieces with different suppliers.

Nan R. Barash, The Barash Group: How little time customers give you these days to do your job properly. I try to educate them better with how long things take and the power of having time to do the job right. The industry doesn’t work by just pushing a button.