SROSource
Treadway Graphics - Serving the law enforcement market since 1991.
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Mentors
By Jay Treadway
March 31st, 2009
I lost a mentor last week. His name was Tom Wiebler and he got me started in this business. He was only 55 so it really isn’t fair that he’s gone. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been successful for 20 years in this business!
My path crossed with Tom’s at the perfect time for me. It was in 1987 and I was struggling to start a new business after losing my job at the local newspaper. Tom started in the promotional products business but had since crossed-over to doing mostly business forms and products. He did have somebody selling promotional products for him at one time but they weren’t around anymore.
So one night at the local country club bar he gave me all his customer files; a metal 3×5 card file box! The rest is history as they say! Thus, he helped get going in this industry and underwrote my orders until I could get going on my own. We have shared an office for almost 20 years now.
A death like this usually makes you pause to reflect on your own life. Tom lost his battle with cancer but his spirit lives on in many of us whom he touched. It makes me appreciate even more those that have helped me along the way. People like my father, Tom Wiebler and many others have had an influence on me. But Tom will always be special; one of the most important ones.
I’ll miss when he would sing out “Jaybird” as he entered the office each morning. It’s not the same without him around. But we survive and move on with our lives. I can’t go by his office without thinking about him. His office was always messy, but it was a happy mess!
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New Stuff!
By Jay Treadway
March 18th, 2009
Everyone likes new stuff, right? Well, for you G.R.E.A.T. officers out there we have some new stuff coming your way soon. We just completed selecting the new items that will go into our 2009 GREAT catalog.
We’ll have new bags, travel mugs, bottles, pencils, pens and t-shirts. We’ll also have an affordable way for you to purchase full color custom banners one at a time. In addition, we’re bringing back trading cards that you can customize with your picture and bio information.
It’s always exciting to bring in new products. That’s actually ”double”
good news for our customers. Every time we bring in new things we discontinue some of the existing products. That means you will have more items available soon at discounted pricing! Watch our website for those new additions. We will also feature some of these items in our new print catalog.
The 2009 GREAT catalog will come out around May 1. Watch for it in your mail; plus keep checking our website for the new products. If you just can’t wait, send me an email (jtreadway@treadwaygraphics.com) or call me and I’ll send you pictures and description of the new items.
We’re excited about the new products and designs. We hope you will be as well!
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40% Off Everyday!
By Jay Treadway
March 8th, 2009
Can’t beat that price, right? That’s how we price our clearance items everyday. You can always see what’s available on our website by clicking here. We have clearance items in both our SRO and GREAT stores. Our SRO store has SRO and Smart Choices merchandise. The Smart Choices message is similar to the D.A.R.E. message.
Why are these items on clearance everyday? Two reasons. The first reason is that these items were “retired” from our previous catalogs. It could be that we didn’t sell enought to stock the item. Or, it could be that we replaced it with something we thought was a better idea.
The second reason we have items in clearance is because the supplier stopped making that item. This doesn’t happen very often, but once in a while. Either way, these are all great bargains. Be sure to check them out often. Let me reassure you that these items are never blemished or irregular in any way. Top quality always.
So, if you go to our website store you always find something on special. The quantity available for each item is also clearly shown. That way you know if there are enough left of an item to satisfy your needs. If it’s close, you’d better call me right away!
Finally, we had some issues with our website store recently. Specifically with the clearance items. Some of them disappeared from the website! However, now everything is back on line and you can see everything that is available. The quantities and items change daily, so check back often.
If you have any questions about these items, give me a call. My direct number is 507-333-1300. I hope you find some bargins today! To start shopping click here now.
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Adversity
By Jay Treadway
March 4th, 2009
I just returned from a golf trip with 3 other guys. We do this every year; traveling to Alabama in February to play the Robert Trent Jones Trail courses. This year the weather threw us a curve. The temperatures were warm 3 of the 4 days we were there, but it rained 2 days and snowed the other day! Bummer. Our return flight out of Atlanta was cancelled Sunday. We scrambled to look for other options but found none. The first return flight we could schedule was Tuesday morning, two days later.
We had no control over any of this, right? Right. But we did have control over how we reacted to our plight. Three of us took it well, but one guy did not. And he made life miserable for everyone else. So now what’s my memory of that golf trip? The great golf? The rainy days? Nope, it’s the miserable time we had the last day because of one guy.
He didn’t get hit with any more adversity than we did. It was a tough situation, but we lived through it. We were all in the same boat, not in different boats. Everything that happened to this guy also happened to us. But he had to let it be know that he was not happy. Too bad.
I relate this story because I think it has applications to my business and you as my customer. We don’t always get orders shipped on time; and sometimes orders get messed up. The important part is how we react to your plight. I believe we do a great job of making it right, whatever it takes. We always have done that. And that’s as it should be. We’re in the same boat, you and I. If it doesn’t work for both of us, it doesn’t work for either of us. And then you go place your business somewhere else.
We really try and get it right the first time. If we don’t, we make it right. It’s that simple. You don’t want to hear about our excuses, because there should be none when something goes wrong for you when you buy from us. Our reaction to adversity (Your problem) is all that matters.
If there is ever a time when you don’t think we’ve reacted in a positive manner please let me know. I don’t want to be that guy on the golf trip that makes life miserable for you!
