Hello! and Happy holidays to all of my current and future customers   :)   We are getting into our slow season.    Kale is getting work done at the shop and I'm  getting some stuff done at home.

I'm very proud of Kale.   He is learning skills faster than I thought he would, and is showing a real talent for understanding how to run the business.  

Jeanne and I are headed to Sedona on Saturday to visit some family and friends.   It will be warmer than here, but not so warm that we will be sitting be the pool all day getting sun.     It is however, supposed to be the spiritual capitol of the states, so Jeanne will be doing lots of shopping.    I'm looking forward to lots of hiking.   It looks beautiful there.

My birthday falls on the 21st.....so we will either have one grand day or perish with the rest of civilization....lol.    Let's just say that I'm looking forward to getting home on the 22nd and getting ready to visit relatives on the west side.     I have not seen my brother and his family for several months and Jeanne also has siblings in Seattle area.

If you are reading this and are thinking about buying a Safe Step Swim Platform, please review my customer comments section at www.myswimplatform.com under the "comments" section.    I am continually updating this section and we've recently had several customers send rave reviews.    It might give you the confidence that you need to push you over the edge so-to-speak on your decision.

When we get back, we will begin preparations for the 2012 Spokane Boat show.   If you are local, come and visit.    Say HI!

Cheers, Scott

New media marketing campaign

Good morning!

So I'm learning about how fast the world is changing.     At least the way we have traditionally marketed my business.    Going away are the Yellow pages book, traditional business cards and yes, even websites (as we currently know them) will eventually have a lesser presence.

All because so many people are now carrying smart devices.     These devices of course have smaller screens which means that we need to get our inmportant information to the consumer cleaner and faster.    And consumers want the information using just one or two "clicks".     Thus the increased popularity of FaceBook, QR codes, Pinterest, InstaGram and other apps meant to get you to the information that you want......Fast!

I have an interesting dilemma in approaching how to tackle this new issue.     I personnally Hate spam.    I hate being spammed!    So I promised myself that I would not in turn do this to my customers.   So I have to balance the need to provide information so that when it is requested or needed, it is available.     That is the only way that I'll survive in this new world.     On the other hand, I will Never spam customers in the hopes of getting that one or two more orders.

Some things that I found out in doing my research....    The way Google ranks a business on their search engine changes daily!    Some of the things that they are looking for are relevant content, relevant links and legitimate key word inclusion.    So that is why you see so many business' ask you to "Like us on FaceBook"!!!!!     It provides relevant links and gives the consumer a way to get to important information about the business fast.   Another way of increasing my ranking is to have my website, www.myswimplatform.com, show up on blogs, articles, etc......   (You noticed how I got that into my blog; right?)

While I understand the need to pay attention to this important aspect of marketing my Safe Step Swim Platforms, I still believe that the most important way to increase our volume is by treating people right, making a Great product and positive word of mouth advertizing.    That is what we will continue to do.

I do want to give a shout out to my friend Jamie who has been an important part of why Contemporary Fiberglass grew as fast as it did.    She designed and maintained the original website and obviously did a Great job.    The website will be completely redone shortly in order to make it easier to maintain and optimized in order to keep our first page ranking on the major search engines.    Thanks for all of your hard work Jamie!

So there you have it.....    I'll be more active on FaceBook, Pinterest, and these other apps in order to attempt to drive more customers to the information about Contemporary Fiberglass that will allow them to make a good, informed decision.

After you are done reading this.....you know what to do-    Like us on FaceBook!

Cheers,
Scott

Good morning from the Great Pacific Northwest.  I'm in a Great mood today for two reasons:    First, it's Jeanne's 50th Birthday and I'm looking forward to spoiling her all day.   We've already been celebrating her birthday all of last week, so not a lack of fun and frivoloity so far.

Second; I had a request to engineer a dive seat from a current customer.   I love these types of requests as it gives me a reason to be creative and do something out of the ordinary.    He wanted it about 20" square and be able to fold down into the water and all him to have his dive gear on and still be able to get on and off the platform easily.

I think we did a terrific job of meeting his design criteria and still keep it clean, strong and affordable.    So much so that I'm going to add it as an option going forward.     I think it will sell because it's not the first time someone has requested it.

So if you are a diver and want some extra room on the back of the boat, an easy way to get out of the water or a place to just rest inbetween dives.....consider our new dive seat platform as an addition to your boat.

Or, if you have an idea of a different option that you don't see on my site.....write me an e-mail and tell me about it.....I love those types of requests and I love my customers!

This and more photos can be seen on the options page of my website:  www.myswimplatform.com  

Enjoy the rest of the boating season.   We're starting to get call about winterizing and storage.    Where does the time go?

Cheers!

Scott

How fast was this summer?

I know, I know......it's not over.    However, it seems to go by faster and faster every year!  We've had some great weather here in the beautiful Pacifc Northwest.    Seems that is not the case around much of the rest of the country.    The extreme heat is affecting many things including the boating industry.   For those of you that have been affected, my wish is that things get back to "normal" for you asap.

We've been as busy as ever.     Jeanne and I have done a great deal of riding, doing some wine tasting, sightseeing and camping.    I'm now an addict of the riding expience.    In fact, I've done very little boating.    Oh well, you can't do it all, right? 

So my "rant" this month is in regards to insurance companies that tell their customers that they can only go to the companies "preferred" repair shop.    This is irritating on several fronts.  First, and foremost, the law in Washington state is clear:   The insurance companies cannot dictate where you get your boat or car repaired.    The consumer can decide where to go.

These insurance companies can get a repair shop that is not the "best" repair shop, but may have lower rates, to be a "preferred" shop for the company.   They may even intimidate the consumer by stating that the work will not be guaranteed unless the "preferred" shop is utilized.   To me, all of these practices are unethical and are done only to save the insurance companies money.....it is not in the best interest of the consumer who needs to do research in order to make a wise choice.

Another thing that is not necessarily considered by the insurance companies is that just because a shop has a higher hourly rate, does not mean that the job will cost more in the long run.    My rates are near the highest in the area, but because we pride ourselves on our effecient methods, overall I'm told again and again that we at Contemporary Fiberglass are extremely competitive when it comes to all of our services that we provide.   And, the fact that we offer the most services under one roof, makes the time in our shop the lowest available.    And I'm told that that is just as important to the consumer as is the price.

I won't mention the companies that practice this.....but encourage you to do your homework.    If you find that your company tries to steer you to an inferior shop......at the very least, remind them that you have the right by law to choose where you want to go.    And I would think about switching to a company that does not participate in these unethical practices.

Please let me know your thoughts and experiences when it comes to getting your boat repaired.   I'll share them on my blog.   Let's face it, when you've had an accident.....it is traumatic enough.     You just want to get your boat repaired correctly and in a timely manner!   If you have any doubts about what our customers think of their experience, please visit the customer comments page of the website:   www.myswimplatform.com.   Thanks!

Have a great rest of your summer and let's hope for a nice long Indian summer!

Cheers, Scott

New ideas, new directions.....

Hi all.     I've created some of the most unique platforms in this past quarter.   I will post the pictures on my website for your viewing pleasure.    Make sure and check out what I call my "floating platform"!    It turned out killer!

I am highlighting these because I strongly feel that this is the most important differentiation between me and my competitors.   Don't get me wrong, if you are looking for a white platform, with the ladder on the starboard side and is 6' x 2'......     order theirs!    Off the shelf!

However, if you want a color matched skirt to make it look more like it came directly from the factory.....or if you want the ladder maybe on the port side, or port rear.......or if you want creative and fuctional options....and most importantly, if you want it made to your exact secifications.....    Order from Me!    You'll never regret it.

So it doubled again.   I'm now imagining my company with a shipping department, and quality manager and inventory manager.....    I know that I can't do it all by myself anymore.    Thank goodness that my son-in-law came aboard and is quickly coming up to speed.   He is a terrific young man and is working hard to learn the skills necessary to manufacture these platforms and he is learning what it takes to run the business.    I look forward to not getting itchy someday, but rather to do more of the admin stuff and going for a ride on my trike with my wife.    Someday.

In the meantime, I have even more on my plate keeping up with the orders and training Kale.   LOVE it!

Thanks for visiting the website:    www.myswimplatform.com

Cheers, Scott

Price increase

Hello peoples:   As you may have noticed, I announced a price increase at the end of March.    I waited as long as I could but the price of everything I use to make your platforms has gone up.   Some of it, like the stainless steel hardware and strut supports by as much as 40%!

It is what it is, but I want to make this offer.....if you have cared enough to get to this point of reading my blog, then I will honor the old pricing for you if you are going to order a Safe Step Swim Platform.   All you have to do is mention that you read this offer in the blog.   That is how much I appreciate you taking the time to get this far.

This year I am on track to double my sales again....which is incredible based on how fast the company has grown already.    My son-in-law Kale has got to be feeling good about joining the company at this point as we are working overtime just about every night just to keep up.   I am still feeling very blessed and grateful.

We have had some fun projects lately.   We're about ready to ship a very large platform to Alaska with a huge fish box underneath.   It will also have a foot railing and waist railing.   It was fun to build and the guys I'm working with have been terrific.

We also had a customer from Texas ship his existing "winged" platform to us so that we could basically rebuild it......extending it from 2' to 3'.   We rocked it of course and Cory was extremely happy with the end product.   It was so fun working on a non-typical project.

It's time for me to get to bed.    I have to get up early tomorrow (Saturday) so that I can try to catch up on the work in the shop and meet a couple of customers that are picking up their platforms.   I just wanted to write something brief about the price increase because it was not an easy decision and I wanted to explain so that you would understand why.....

So if you are thinking about ordering.....call me soon.    If you are still debating.....have a Great boating season and we'll talk soon enough.   To get even more confidence with your decision, visit the customer comments page on the website:   www.myswimplatform.com.


Cheers,

Scott

Just wanted to shout out a large thank you to all of my team for their help and support during this year's boat show.   From my wife to my employees and suppliers to my most appreciated web designer / maintainer....... It has been a tremendous success so far.    I have sold 8 platforms at the show with dozens more interested....     2012 is going to be a super year for Contemporary Fiberglass!   www.myswimplatform.com

For all of you potential buyers reading this.   Our product is better than ever.    Quality improvements are the norm here and my mind never stops when it comes to new and innovative options.

So if you are in the market, give us a call.    We'll do our best to make you a platform that will change your boating experience!  

You have a Great year also.   Whoot whoot!

Scott