You Got An App For That?

I belong to a business organization that focuses around networking and referrals.  I have my usual group every Friday morning, where I diligently (and trust me when I say this – I’m the President and I run the meeting) attend every week.  The other day I was asked to be a substitute for someone in another group (on another day).  Happened to be this morning, a Thursday, when I’m not used to getting up at such an early hour.  OK, I’m totally lying. . . I’m an early riser anyway, but let’s just say I’m not used to getting up and LEAVING THE HOUSE that early.  But, I made a commitment and went.

Part of the agenda in these meetings is that two members get to give 10 minute presentation about their business.  It’s an opportunity for them to teach the rest of the group on how to better refer them to people they know (it’s NOT a forum to sell themselves to others in the group – the idea is to train them to be your sales force).

Anyway, this morning I was awarded with a very well put together presentation.  No, it wasn’t all flashy with photos and cool PowerPoint graphics and all that.  It was simply a guy standing in front of us, extremely well prepared, and completely confident in his talents and his ability to tell us WHAT and WHY he does what he does.

His name: Christopher Fox

His Company: Sly Fox Applications

His Job: building iPhone & iPad apps

OOH. . APPS. . I got your attention didn’t I?  Yeah. .those apps. . the ones all of us smartphone users have become obsessed with.  I love myself a good iPad application, and when I had my iPhone (I love and miss it, but I won’t get into why I’m currently using the Droid – blech – it’s a long story).  . . I loved playing with it. . there was always something to download, check out and actually USE.  So, needless to say, when this guy started talking, I was intrigued, and you would have been too.  I could go on and on about the when and the why (1994 – “computer journalism” class) and all that, but I won’t.  Maybe you should ask him yourself. . I was quite entertained, and interested in learning more.  I grabbed his card, patted him on the back and congratulated him on his well executed presentation, and went on my way.

I encourage you to check out his website – www.slyfoxapps.com – but better yet, give him a call and have coffee or something, as a human touch is always better.

Oh, and the one thing he said that stuck out – in 10 years (don’t quote me on the time period he used), apps will have taken over websites in popularity.  Sound crazy?  Maybe – but so did Facebook.

For Your Consideration. . .

If you like wine, check out the two newest tasting rooms in Sonoma County.

Garagiste – what’s that mean?  A garagiste refers to a winemaker who makes small batches of wine in his (or her – we don’t discriminate) garage.  This tasting room is a joint venture between Stark Wines and one of our clients Cartograph.  Plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy their small-lot wines in a great, comfortable setting.  If you’re up in Northern Sonoma County, go check them out.  If you’re not. . make the trip anyway!  Garagiste Healdsburg. 439 Healdsburg Ave. 431-8023. Open: Thurs-Mon 11-6 p.m., and Tues-Wed by appointment. Twitter: @cartographwines

Vinoteca - This one is a collective tasting lounge offering limited production wines.  Includes Baker Lane, Bjornstad Cellars, Calluna Vineyards, Frostwatch Vineyards & Winery, Olson Ogden Wines and Super Sonoman Wines.  Open: 11am to 5pm on Friday- Sunday and Monday – Thursday by appt!  taste@vinotecataste.com 707-542-3292.  Twitter: @VinotecaTaste

Both are on Twitter (handles above) and have Facebook Pages too, so check them out!

kd

At Long Last. . .

Here I am!  Where have I been you ask?  No where in particular.  I’ve been around.  No vacation or crazy trips to faraway places or anything.  I’ve just been doing what I do – and keeping busy doing it.  That’s a GOOD thing in our industry, where Summertime (I know it’s not technically Summer, but school’s let out hasn’t it?) tends to show a slow down period for us.  Not so this year. . yay!  We’ve got a steady stream of companies large and small printing like mad. . we even have a few individuals who just want a couple shirts for a funny joke or a birthday present.  That makes me happy.

What people asking for these days. . .

1) Apparel – I have a sneaking suspicion that companies are tired of wearing tired looking apparel.  With all the name brands we have access to (Adidas, Ping, Nike. . . ), there’s no reason for your logo apparel to LOOK cheap.

2) Fliers – The old standby.  Most are using for specific purposes for distribution at local events (farmers markets, wine tasting events, etc.), to market a special offer or discount.

3) Bags – who doesn’t like a bag?  And with digital print available now on fabric, minimums can be much lower without the set up fees.  Tote bags are the biggest mover for sure. . . I’m sure you’re probably seen them. . you know. . in every single grocery store you go into.  Yeah. . we can print one those.

4) Note Pads – probably one of the best “leave behind” pieces out there.  These things get used.  We have boxes of them, and we hand them out all the time.  It’s great when I go to visit someone and see my notepad sitting in the middle of their desk.  Guess  who they *subconsciously* think of every day?

5) Business Cards – I shouldn’t have to explain this one.  Everyone in business should have one.  ’nuff said.

5 Years of Wine

That’s a little misleading.  We’ve been drinking wine for WAY more than five years, but what I mean to say is – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!  On May 15th, New Vintage Print officially hit the 5 year mark in our little adventure we call work.  As you know, and can tell from our website, we’re heavily involved in the wine industry, constantly looking for ways to improve the look, the feel, the function of wine labels for wineries in the Russian River, Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, as well as Sonoma Coast, American Canyon – well, you get the idea right?

So, what better way to celebrate 5 years of successful business?  Well, a winery event of course.  Our friends at Wilson Winery put on this event every year for the Children of the Vineyard Workers.  It’s a scholarship fund for them to go to school . . .a little background:

 

In 2002 the Wilson family and Wilson Winery established the “Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund.” Our ambitious goal is to raise enough money to meet the demands of all deserving applicants and to build the endowment fund for a legacy of ongoing success. We believe that the children of those who work the vineyards of Sonoma County should not be limited in their pursuit of educational opportunities by financial constraints.  The Wilson Family will match all funds up to $100,000.  100% of your dollars go directly to the scholarship fund.

So, it’s a good cause and we wanted to help support that cause.  So this last Saturday night the four of us (my husband Chris, and my parents, Carl & Joanie) headed out to Soda Rock Winery for a silent (and also a live) auction that included good appetizers, dinner and the best part of all. . self pour wines.  Talk about trust!  OH, and they had a miniature pony there to bid on.  He was awfully cute, but . . probably wouldn’t fly.  Anyway, we had a good time, and we bid on (and won) a few things.  We figured since we were celebrating 5 years of business, we should buy ourselves something right?

How about a wine fridge and 52 bottles of wine to fill it?  Yes please.

Happy Birthday to us.

“I would never hesitate to refer my clients or associates.”

Working with you guys over the last four years has been wonderful, especially because I can rely on you as knowledgeable, professional associates whom I would never hesitate to refer my clients or associates to. Although I’m a graphic and web designer and have the ability to obtain print myself, it makes more sense for me to use you because you stay up on the best vendors and suppliers for all printing services and promotional products and your pricing is very competitive. Most importantly, your customer service can’t be matched and that means the most. Thanks so much. I just love you guys!

Lisa Desmond, Redbone Creative