Summary: There’s things we forget. And it’s good to have a plan. It’s good to be reminded of very key things that are specific, even to this industry, and just knowing the way to spot people who are actually capable of purchasing. Versus those who may love you and just aren’t capable. Or those who will just string you along. Or those who use you, just so they always have another price to show, to use the person they’re using already and that sort of thing.<br> <br> So I think finding clients, developing clients, all of that, everyone could use a reminder there. And if you’re not from a sales background then you absolutely… this is like the most direct sales class you could possibly take for this industry. And just be able to really get your business moving quicker.<br> <br> <br> <br> David: Hi. Welcome to the podcast. I am here today with Tracie Domino from Event Outfitters in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tracy, it's so good to have you with me.<br> <br> Tracie: Thank you so much, David. It's a pleasure to be here with you.<br> <br> David: You know, you and I met through the promotional products industry, but you do a lot besides just promotional products. So let's start, just fill us in on what you do and how you do it.<br> <br> <br> <br> Tracie: Well, I actually spent years and years, almost 20 years in the events industry. And started a promotional products business because of my need for so many promotional products for our own events. And my OCD personality took over and I wanted total control of the operation.<br> <br> So that's how we got started.<br> <br> David: Ok. And so now you're doing both?<br> <br> Tracie: Yes, still for a little while. But mostly promotional products at this point. Years ago, I worked for Tiffany and Company, the one with the blue box that everyone is very familiar with. And I did their events, but I also did corporate sales for them.<br> <br> And when I worked for Tiffany, it was promotional product sales. It was putting your logo on a Tiffany ice bucket or engraving it on a piece of silver jewelry and commemorating events. So those two things together kind of transitioned into all of this.<br> <br> David: Right. Okay. And so what type of clients do you like to work with? What type of people do you like to target? I mean, some people will take anyone who can fog a mirror, anyone with a pulse. But you've been a little more selective in terms of your clientele, is that correct?<br> <br> Tracie: For sure. And I mean, I'll work with anyone who wants to work with us, of course. But we have really been very lucky or fortunate, I guess I could say. Since I did work in events for so long, there are a ton of event people who we just know, across the country, who do all sorts of jobs in this industry.<br> <br> And by doing that, we've been able to branch out into all sorts of different events. Events that we never used to even work on. But work with our clients who plan them which has been great. And a lot of them are sports franchise owners, people doing all sorts of really kind of fun, different, interesting things.<br> <br> So we're really just blessed by our friends. In a lot of cases who would become our clients.<br> <br> David: Right. So, just a couple of niche industries. in addition to just sort of a wide variety?<br> <br> Tracie: Right, the people who work in the events business, are our clients, but our end clients are everywhere, and in all sorts of different industries. And yeah, it's really, it's just kind of everything now.<br> <br> David: Okay. So where do most of your clients initially hear from you?<br> <br> Tracie: Most clients now, thank goodness, are coming word of mouth, in most cases. And I think that's because we were picky at the beginning and really try to focus on customer service. You can't work for Tiffany and Company and not put a big value on customer service.<br>
