Life Aint Nothing if you don't put it all on the line a few times in your life

Life is more exciting if you put it all on the line every once in a while. If you play it safe, you get safety, but you will never get the big rewards or the big failures.

I just put it on the line once again. I did a Kickstarter Project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1921317116/dr-solstice-solar-cookers-a-size-to-fit-every-need

And at the same time did an Indiegogo campaign.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-cookers-innovation-coming-to-light-camping/x/8272667#/

I have spent the last year refining and improving a solar cooker until it was kick ass and amazing. Now I am ready to share with the world. I am hoping and aiming for $500,000 in funding from the two campaigns.  I am not going to do it via a bunch of paid ads.  I am hoping to do it organically. Win lose or fail I am still a success no matter how you look at it because I completed something I started. I have done about 15 campaigns before but never had the gumption to pull the trigger and launch it.  I did not want to put myself out there or did not think my product was up to par.  Whatever excuse I could come up I had it.  Now my excuses are over. I pushed launch on both campaigns.  So far no success on Indiegogo. Not a single backer even at the $9.00 level. Just launched Kickstarter so I don't know if I got a sale in the first 30 seconds I doubt it. (correction I just got my first backer) So stoked.

But why am I so happy?

Because I did it and now I have 60 days on each campaign to spread the word and hopefully get backers.  If I get one backer it is a success. That is one more person who believes in me and my product.  I know this Solar cooker is a life changer and  fits all the right specs to become a dominant product on the worldwide stage.

Is my product and my video perfect:  Not by a long mile. The product is 99% and the video is of my own creation.  I did it myself and learned alot. But I did it about 2 months ago assuming I would take two months to refine it and life got in the way. I almost did not hit launch, but then I thought launch it anyways. Win lose or draw my butt is on the line.

Here is I feel my product is amazing.

IT'S JUST RIGHT:     

Many sizes to fit the need. If you want to cook a smor'e we have a cooker for you. If you cook for larger groups or want to make an amazing solar cooked turkey we have the product for you.

IT WORKS:

Simple to set up and use. Set it up, adjust it to the sun and come back every hour to adjust it. Cooks from first sun up to when the sun goes down.

PACKS UP EASILY:

Easy on the mail. Packs up to a small footprint and deploys to a wide solar cooker. Make it easier to ship and to pack keeping costs down and you don't need  closet to store it.

Made to last:  We guarantee the Duo and the Quattro til the end of the earth.  2 mil coroplast material and high grade silver poly laminated to the surface will provide one excellent cooker for years and decades to come. Buy it once and cook on it forever.

WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION:  These cookers can be shipped flat on pallets ready for easy deployment in areas in the world that need these cookers. NGO's and entreprenuers will find this product and know it can be made and shipped to them so they donate or sell at a profit in their country. We are willing to help anyone who needs it and we will meet them where they are at in their current level of Solar Cooking Understanding.

I have put myself on the line a few other times in my life and those were the most scary and most exciting:

Our son was born at 1lb 11 oz 10 years ago.  It was 4 months in the NICU and 2 years on oxygen. It was  a scary time and his mom and I were by his side 24/7 for a long time. Today he went to camp and is having the time of his life. 

I got fired, from a job and started my company on January 8th 2001. All Source. Getting fired was not fun, but putting my ass on the line and starting the company was the most exciting thing I have ever done. It was the bridges are burned and you can't look back. Head down work on!

So hopefully this lil blog post about me and my risks and rewards will help you get off your butt and put it all  on the line.

What's next for me? Future ass on the line goals:

Hike the Pacific Crest Trail - All 2650 miles of it.  I will do it with a solar cooker on my back. No this one, but you get the idea.

Build a Solar Cooker Company called Dr. Solstice and sell the product in retail like an REI - It is about time  a solar cooker sits right next to a Coleman Stove on their shelves.  I am the guy to take up that cause. Here are a few of my logos and Marks. I have always liked the Burts Bee's logo and I met and amazing artist named Tess Lackey online in Onward Creatives Facebook Group and she made me these great logos.  Here contact info is:  tess@tesslackeystudios.com. I am a creative at heart and the Onward Creatives Podcast has helped me get off being stuck and start just going for it. Thanks Jack Fussell for your help in getting me off the dime.  You have no idea how many you have helped.

Life of a Print Man!

Life of A Printman!

I have the most interesting job in the world and so do you. We are the innovators and the doers of the impossible.  We never get to say no and we always have to find a way to make it happen.  I hope to teach you with this short note sheet and video I just made for you how to develop that talent and become the go to person for all of your client’s wild and crazy ideas.  I have never said no to a client request in over 25 years and that has taken me down some interesting roads. Developing this skill will put you and keep you in the million dollar club + and keep you there. It takes you out of the promo sales rep category and puts in the “most valuable vendor and friend category”

This is how I do it and it has worked for me for over 25 years.  I have gotten really good at it over the last few years and I am really enjoying going to work everyday.

First:  Who do you work for?

Answer:  Yourself, your creator or your boss and company.

If it is not for yourself or your creator then you need to change it. If you believe in a creator get up tomorrow and say this day is all for your glory and work like you mean it for your creator.  Then reflect back on your results. I have found working for someone you trust and admire makes you work harder than working for yourself.

Second:  What do you enjoy about your industry? I mean what really is amazing to you?

Go deep in that subject and become an expert. Go to vendors and get to know the process better. Your passion will line up with clients’ needs if you ooze that you love it.

I was scared to sell bags. I had only sold one bag in 25 years. So I went to bag vendor and took a tour and learned as much as I can. I met with a bag broker and he is mentoring me on how to sell bags.  I know have the confidence when the next opportunity to sell a bag comes I will land it.

Always add new items to your bag of tricks. Go to trade shows to learn, go to the seminars.  Free ones are best and Fee ones are good too.  Introduce yourself to a speaker and ask if you can help them at the seminar pass out papers or be their right and person for an hour. That gets you an audience with a pro and it also gets you into the seminar for free.  Wink Wink.

I recently went to a trade show and found a new solution for a box. My client is shipping Fracking Plugs that look like 90lb spark plugs. His client sells them to Frackers who buy in bulk and store on site.  The drilling sites are wet and not clean and the boxes at some point get wet and start to fall apart.  So we are working on new solutions:

1 Make a litho lam box and then have it wax immersed like you see on lettuce boxes.

2.  Use this new box I just found at a trade show.  It is a very thick waterproof chip board than be formed into a box with wood plugs used in the ends.  It is bullet proof almost and will certainly work. When you find those kind of solutions your client will use you and then you are the only supplier. That means  custom projects. That means higher margins. That means you are the only one in this big bad world that sells this item and your client will need you and love you for it.

Go above and beyond:

My client is a broker for a packaging company. The product is chip bag displays for tortilla chips. They made this amazing display and then had to make a video and instruction sheet to get it built.  They called me last week and needed 1130  11 x 17 flyers printed 4/4. They needed 200 Monday a.m.  so they could start the pack out.  On Friday they sent me the wrong sized flyers.  So they had to send then again.  I got the files.  I did 380 sets using a digital print method and a higher cost, but faster. Then I used a gang run process to do 750 of them at a longer lead lower cost method.  My pricing was compared to a local print shop that quoted to do all digital press method at the higher cost. I did the job and delivered on both parts on time and now the client knows I can do great things to keep his processes rolling. He will think of me next time he is in a bind.

Become the expert, be better than any other company you are competing with. You can do that because you love what you do and when you do people will come out the woodwork to help you.  Don’t fret if you have to send the vendor a gift card to get priority. I call it greasing the skids of commerce.  People respond to the extra bits of love you send their way.

I always do what is right for my client to make their date and get their job. That creates loyalty and return business. I have even gone to vendors and sat in their lobbies waiting for a job to be done.  When the boss sees you there and asks you how can he or she help you and you tell him or her you are waiting on the job. It gets done. I call that the Kevin Washington Method. See video.

How can I help you:  You tell me. I am a Patriot Vendor and I am waiting for my big opportunity at American Solutions for Business.  Bring me your crazy, wild, multi component, not easy to write up projects and let me help you find a solution.  I love huge long projects that are super difficult.  I like items that grow and repeat. I have spent 25 years+ learning every industry possible and have lots of knowledge in my bag.   I am ready to share the love and and  help you set yourself apart from the masses.

Cheers!

Scott Rundle

All Source

951 640 3890

Paper Choices - There are too many - Call me, the expert

I saw this blog post and I thought this was too good to pass up.  Paper is like buying tires. You can't just say I need tires.  There are too many  options.   Picking the wrong paper can cost you money on a job. That is why I say call me the expert.  951 640 3890. I know what paper should be used when and on what job.  Paper is typically about 60%  to 70% of the cost of a job and if you choose the wrong weight and are competing with someone that knows  their stuff you will always be too high.

Here is a good article on paper. Enjoy then call me!

Choosing the right paper for your print project would be easier if manufacturers would stick to one definition to describe the weight of their product. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case.

Pound – The industry defines pound as the basis weight of a 500-sheet ream of the paper at its basic size. This measurement is often stated using “#,” the pound symbol. For example, 500 sheets of 20# paper weigh 20 pounds.

Point – Point, or caliper point, refers to the thickness of an individual sheet of paper when measured with a micrometer (e.g. 20pt). Papers measured in points are typically “board grade” paper which are slightly lower quality than paper measured in pounds. Thicker papers have higher point designations.

Cover: Cover stocks are heavier, somewhat rigid and not easily folded. These paper types are best for publication covers, business cards, greeting cards, folders, and postcards. They can have coated or uncoated finishes.

 

Paper coating:

Coated – Coated paper has a waxy finish (shiny or matte). Coated papers are available in a gloss, silk (sometimes called satin) or matt finish and are used for projects requiring a fine finish. Coated paper can give the printed piece a classier look. Note: Do not use gloss if your product will be used for note-taking. Gloss finish is very difficult to write on.

Types of coating:

UV Coating: (Ultra Violet): UV coating is a highly protective, ultra-shiny gloss coating. The solvent-free UV coating provides an extremely hard finish that’s chemical and abrasion resistant. It makes details really pop! It can be used on the entire piece or strategically placed on specific areas to make them stand out, such as a logo or photo.

Aqueous-This is a clear water-based coating that is thinner than UV Coating. It provides a medium-gloss surface that deters dirt, fingerprints and scuff marks. It protects pieces such as postcards and brochures as they go through the mail, and business cards as they ride around in people’s pockets.

Coated One Side (C1S) – A cover stock that has a coating on one side and is dull on the reverse side. C1S papers are typically used for products like Holiday Cards or Birthday cards where you want the outside to pop with a glossy finish and for the inside to be writable.

Coated Two Sides (C2S) – A cover stock that has a coating on both sides. This is typically used for flyers, brochures, booklets, and handouts that will not be written on.

Uncoated - This paper has an untreated surface-resulting in a dull and unreflective look. Uncoated paper is typically used for letterhead, envelopes, and notepads. Premium uncoated paper can also be used to provide an earthier, more personal feel for important Invitations, Announcements, and Thank You cards.

The ink used to print your marketing piece will appear differently depending on the finish of your paper.

Gloss – A gloss finish produces a shiny paper surface, such as that you’d find on a photograph. It can make full color images and graphics appear more vibrant and visually appealing. It also protects the ink from fading and moisture. Although images on high-gloss paper look great, the shine makes reading text off the page more difficult.

Satin – A satin finish falls somewhere between gloss and matte. It produces a slight sheen, enhancing full color images and graphics while preserving the readability of text.

Matte – A matte finish produces a smooth yet muted paper surface. It yields a more “artistic” feel to the finished product. Colors appear softer, and text-heavy documents may be easier to read. It also eliminates fingerprints.

Getting Specific:Common Paper types and uses

80# Gloss Text

This is standard glossy paper stock, about as thick as a light magazine cover. The shiny finish provides an excellent opaque base for rich process color printing. This is a very popular stock for brochure printing, catalog Inserts, flyers, posters, etc.

80# Gloss Cover

As a “cover” stock, this paper is stiff, about like a postcard or baseball card. This stock is coated with a glossy finish, making photographs and other images look beautiful. Standard uses: durable, heavy-weight Brochures, Catalog Covers, Product Spec Sheets.

80# Dull/Matte Text

This stock is finely coated with a non-gloss finish. It provides an excellent opaque base for easy to read, crisp typography. Standard Uses: Brochures, Newsletters, Catalog Inserts, and Flyers, etc.

80# Dull/Matte Cover

Most dull/matte cover is a typically around a 9 PT cover stock with a smooth, non-shiny coating. It is well suited for detailed, crisp printing without sacrificing the ability to easily write on the paper. Often selected with the 80# dull/matte text option for inside your catalog or booklet piece.

100# Gloss Text

Similar to the 80# gloss text, but 25% thicker and heavier, for a more substantial feeling piece. Standard uses: Brochures, Information Sheets, Direct mail pieces, Posters, Door Hangers, etc.

100# Dull/Matte Text

Thicker and heavier than 80# Dull/Matte text for a more substantial feeling piece. Provides a non-glossy, opaque base for detailed, crisp printing.

100# Uncoated Cover

An option for business cards, rack cards and bookmarks. This is smooth and typically around 14 PT in thickness.

110# Uncoated Matte

This paper is often referred to as card stock. This is a great choice when you want the details on your invitations to look crisp and clear, or when your postcards need to withstand a bit of abuse.

120# Gloss Cover

This has a high quality look. It is a glossy, coated finish to make photographs and other images look beautiful. Aqueous coating can be added for an even more protection and shine.

120# Dull/Matte Cover

This typically has a smooth, non-shiny coating. It is well suited for detailed, crisp printing without sacrificing the ability to easily write on the paper. An excellent choice for Business Cards, Postcards, Note Cards and Greeting Cards.

70# Uncoated Text

This is typically used for stationery, envelopes and newsletters. Many common stationery stocks are not optimized for 4-color printing. This paper feels substantial, and is the best type of uncoated paper stock available for full-color printing.

24# Uncoated and 28# Uncoated

This is a standard stock commonly used for envelopes, also called White Wove. The 28# is thicker and heavier than the 24#.

Magnet Stock or Magnetic Paper

Usually thicker- it should deliver high quality printing with excellent color reproduction and will stick to most metal surfaces. It’s a great choice for business cards, postcards, coupons, calendars, sport schedules, and menus.

Now you know why you specialize in promos and I focus on print.  Confusing as hell right?

You gotta live this stuff to get good at it and for 25 years I have lived print and made almost every possible paper mistake possible, so you don't have to.

Use this as a guide then  when you need a pro call me at 951 640 3890.

Scott Rundle

At Your Service!

Little Boy...Big Success!

I love referrals. They are the life blood of any good business.  Your reputation in life is very important and hard work and great service will earn you many referrals.  In sales you need to treat everyone you meet as your next best friend and always leave them something they can hang their hat on about you.

If you tell them you provide great service, excellent pricing, and super fast turnaround they can't hang their hat on that one as that is a minimum standard for our industry. Who can't get a pen in a day anymore?

With the invention of the PDF and email we don't even need to see a client to present proofs anymore.  Time is of the essence and everyone can deliver fast. Thank God our clients have finally learned or have decent designers that can provide us an eps file and or a pdf. I remember the day I first heard those terms and it wasn't that long ago.

Time flies and business evolves and now is a great time to be in sales.  The good old days were not so grand.  Pagers and no cell phones, cars without air condition and suits and ties.  As I write this I am wearing shorts and a ball cap working from my home office waiting for your phone call. LOL.

I digress.

When I meet a rep for the first time I leave them with something unique that nobody else will tell them based upon the conversation I had with them:

**Call me when you get that tough project that you don't know what to do with.

** I specialize in INK ON ANYTHING!

** I love deadlines as it makes our clients move. The tighter the deadline the better.

** If you need a key chain printed I am not your guy, but if you need a multi-part job that needs to be printed, die cut, packed in a box and shipped to 10 locations in record time I am your guy.

**  I love new projects.  It is what gets me up in the a.m. I can help and I am willing to jump in with two feet.


Then the call comes in and they tell me about a poster they are trying to find that nobody else can help them with. It is printed 4 color process and laminated with dry erase, needs to be packed and sent to 14 locations with dry erase clips and pens in the kit. Oh and by the way this is a calendar and we are already late. How fast can you do it. Record time is the answer and that is what we did for Sara and her client.

My job it to take your job from this:

To this:

Below is a case study on a recent project I did for a rep that sells to the movie industry.

Little Boy is a great movie and the premiere was set for April 24th 2015 I believe. The client needed this box and a special die cut and glued dvd case to be made for the premiere kits that go out for P.R.  In the kit were all sorts of other goodies that I did not provide. But I provided the box and without the box all the other items were useless and the rep would fail.

My client called a box prototype company and asked for a quote. They did not respond at all in three days. So when I got the call time was of the essence and they were already late.  Not to bore you with details, but here are the highpoints of the job.

Client needed a box and DVD case made:

I made a box prototype that day
Sent it to her next day. She approved it.  Made a die, got the art, fixed the art and provided a proof and got it approved. Printed the label, laminated it to corrugated, die cut it and packed it. Then I personally delivered to the client a day ahead of schedule in less than a week.

The DVD case was just as unique. We had to make a die line to fit her size desired, she set art to it, then we proofed it, printed it and die cut and glued it.  We delivered that a day early also.  Since this job was local I personally delivered this to her house and she was blown away.

Now, the questions is what can we do for you?

Life is good!

This is what I want for you!

My phone is on 24/7.    951 640 3890. I promise to call you back if you catch me napping at 2 in the a.m.  I live and breathe to serve and make it happen.  A pat on the back or a nice note means more to me than profit. Exceeding your and your clients expectations on difficult projects is just pure fun for me.



In Print


Scott Rundle
Print Concierge

IT IS IN THE CAN!... TURN $5. BUCKS INTO 100 BUCKS FOR YOUR NON-PROFIT CLIENTS

My definition is of "It is in the can"  comes  from the film industry not prison. Prison is where you go when it is not in the can.

In the can to me means.  I got you covered. Whatever you need it is all wrapped up. Shooting has been done and we are off the movies.

It means, I start to work and you stop worrying. If I say I am going to do something by a certain time consider it in the can.

That leads me the main part of this story.  A high level rep working for a huge Promotional Products company sent out an email saying he had looked on Sage and asked around but could not find a good vendor to provide his client with a Paint Can Piggy Bank.

A great video for you to learn more about the opportunity.

I just so happened to be at a trade show that day and past the paint can vendor, who had all sorts of cans on display.

I put two and two together and figured I could help him out.   I have never ever said no to client request for help and that has lead me down some interesting roads with more open roads than dead ends.

Well, you say what is so hard about a pint pain can decorated and has a slot for the money in the top.

It wasn't hard to figure it out, but I had not figured it out before I gave him the quote:

So here is how it rolled: the mfr said he could help find a person to die cut the lid.  Then all of the sudden he could not. Oh, crap keep looking.  Then I asked a McGiver friend of mine and he said use a high speed dremel.  Easy enough in my mind, so I spent 30 bucks on bits that would work. Then I went to my die cutter friend and he made a die and we tried it and it absolutely butchered the the can lid and did not work.

Then I got an email from another friend asking for help. I knew his dad has a metal spinning shop and they might have a way to get this done. He even does the Academy Awards. How could we go wrong.

Well, he solved the problem and how. And they look perfect.

Your cost for this pint size paint can is below: These  are net prices:

250 = $4.90 per can
500 = $4.50 per can
1000 = $4.25 per can
2500 = $4.00 per can

This includes: A pint size paint can, lid with slot in it, gloss label 4 color applied to can, repacking. Shipping is addl.

Ships 250 per case.

For more information give Scott Rundle a call at 951 640 3890.

More info on the paint can piggy bank!

A bit about me!

Wow, how pretentious you must be thinking.

You came to get some ideas and now this guy Scott just wants to talk about himself.

I think if I can get you through the next few paragraphs you will see the investment in time was worth it for you.

My name is Scott Rundle and I am a from the trenches and am a  print, problem solving machine.  I came from where you live now.  I started out selling printing 25 years ago and didn't know jack nothing about nothing.  By charlie hustle and some luck I started landing accounts and selling all sort of 4 color printing. Then I got sweet talked by a city slicker who said I could come to his company and make more money.  I was getting a 50% commission raise. I could not wait to spend that money.  He came to me 9 days after I followed him to the new company and said he was leaving for a new company. I was soo soo ticked off.

Little did I know the company had a terrible 4 color department and I lost many a client very quickly. Remember 100% of nothing is nothing. Learned that twice now in my life. I digress.

But they did manufacture forms, labels, 4 color, quick run stuff and also were a part of ASI.  Remember the big book  before logo mall. Wow, you could never find anything you were looking for but found everything you were not looking for.

I learned a lot about printing anything and everything the client was asking for.  I  hated printing inside as it took so long and cost too much, so much I became the buy out king.  If  someone needed something and they did not know where to go they came to me. If I did not know I would find someone who did and I learned even more.

Well I got fired one day and started my journey called All Source. My tagline has been for years.

Whatever you need... Whenever you need it!

I have never turned down a request to make something happen. Sometimes the impossible is possible and sometimes it is still impossible.

But one thing everyone learns when the impossible becomes possible it also might become more expensive.  Adding in couriers, air freight etc. all adds up.

So my new title is Print Concierge and I am at your service.  

Send me your wild and crazy ideas that your clients need.  Make them up to set yourself apart. I know printing and I know how to make it happen.  The more parts, the more complicated the project the better.

If you need business cards  go to your local guy. If you need die cut and foiled Presentation Folder with a capacity spine and one of a kind die cutting come to me.  

All in truth here:  I don't own any equipment, I don't have a plant, I have a few direct clients that I have had for years and now they are house accounts. But I do have a mad set of skills to pull multi part jobs together in record time and make you look like a hero to your clients.  I will protect your clients and your interest and never share anything but great ideas and never a clients name. Your willingness to trust me to make it happen is greatly appreciated.

My goal is to serve you and to help you make money and to make your clients happy.  Let's do it and have some fun in the process.

Feel free to call me up pick my brain, ask for a quote or get to know me.  

I am based in California and know how to get it done all  over the USA.

Scott Rundle

Scottrundle1@gmail.com

951 640 3890  Direct line and I answer my phone.