Transforming the Wraps Industry: Give and Ye Shall Receive
By Tommy Strader
Sign & Digital Graphics Magazine, July 2010
Reprinted with Permission
I have always been a firm believer in the theory that if you want something, you must first give something. I think where a lot of people go wrong with this is that they think it is a linear process, in that when we give to X so that we shall receive from X. But in fact, giving to X might just mean that you are depositing some credit in the Karma bank and that you will receive in ways you never expected.
So what does this have to do with signs, wraps and digital graphics? All of you who are in the graphics industry -- no matter if it's screen printing, paper printing, vinyl graphics of large-format printing -- have the ability to give back. I have been doing this since I started my business. But most of my giving was to those who here trying to start a business and might not have had the capitol needed to wrap their vehicle, or for someone who was trying to get their kid involved in racing and had spent most of their money just getting started. I was always a softy for a real person with a real story and struggle. I like to help out the underdog because I feel in many ways I have been the underdog, and have had to overcome many obstacles to get to where I am and feel it necessary to pay it forward.
I have been interested in different ways to give back, but most people just want us to donate free wraps. For many shops, this is not feasible. When you have to account for every square foot of media going out the door because of the expense of doing business these days, it is not that easy to just let go of a free wrap on the hopes that you possibly will get business from it someday.