(Sponsored by GRAPHICS PRO EXPO) You can buy custom-decorated garments and products at Amazon, Walmart, etc. The size and financial clout scare some independent decorators. Let's have a conversation about successfully competing with massive competitors. How do small businesses use our advantages to gain their share of the business?

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants or lectures or selling. We are not doing this for our employers, but rather for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will make your business better, and our industry better. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

News Dad Joke: From Jerry Dahlheimer - How do you know when a joke is a Dad Joke?It’s a parent!

Competing with Major Retailers Terry: Here’s why I started thinking about this subject: I spoke to a gentleman a couple of weeks ago who said, “My friend in the business says that the major retailers, the big decorators, have driven all the small screen printers and DTG printers out of business. My guess is 1) his “friend” didn’t want him to get into the business as a competitor, or 2) his friend was looking for someone to blame for his own lack of sales. So, what’s the truth about competing with the Amazons of the world?Aaron: Let’s talk about this: Is there really competition between smaller decorators and major retailers?Let’s talk about competition, and we’re looking for input from the RegulatorsCompetition can come from anywherePointing fingers for your own failures - This could be a long conversationIt’s the economyIt’s my market areaIt’s my competition not playing fairIt’s the unreasonable customer requestsAnd last, it’s the big bad box store putting me out of businessWhen a business is hanging by a thread, any wind my knock it downThere’s an assumption that because a company is bigger, they’ll do things betterTerry: Let’s discuss what the big guys can do better?Unlimited fundsBroad reachA known reputation - brand (You can build your own brand too)Aaron: What can you do better?Personal service - conversations about file types, printability, etc.The big guys are just going to print what you send them… good or badHow often is your customer’s art what it should be?Personal interaction on orders - distributor is out of stock but here’s what we can do

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5 Reasons to take on Self-Directed Projects * Allows you to explore techniques you aren’t yet familiar with* Fills out your ‘sample case’ - Customers don’t always have their own vision and/or want ‘proof’ of your work.* Lets you show styles and/or products you want to introduce to your product line* Provides a ‘judgment free’ and less time-sensitive place to explore your craft* It’s fun, and informative - Lets you ‘be the customer’ as well as the creator.From Erich Campbell

Be Part of #5Things If you would like to present your 5 Things, five quick points on any subject whether it be advice or five instructional steps, we would love to hear from you. You can come on the show and present them yourself, or we will share your list with our listeners or even play a recorded video of you sharing 5 things. Whatever is easiest.