Ed's Musing's (click individual blog to comment)

We have been tight on space for awhile, sometimes people look in the door and see there is not enough room to squeeze in... so, we have moved to a larger space RIGHT NEXT DOOR. This way there will be more room for you, our customers, room for us to expand our offerings, AND you will have no trouble finding us.

Our move is two stage; 1, move quickly while we had the opportunity (move complete), and 2, in January and February while it is quiet downtown we will remodel the store to make a warmer, more inviting shopping experience.

When I started this blog page, I commented how most blogs on websites start strong and then, you look and the last post was made 2 years ago (or more). Well, am I getting to that stage?  

My comments today are that the Traverse Bay Region seems to be getting more and more enjoyable all the time. As I walked out to the breakwall at the marina downtown with my cup of coffee a yesterday, I realized how special and beautiful our area is. It puts everything into perspective. It calms the soul. Is is magnetic; spiritual. It also seems that the world seems to be discovering our region, suddenly everyone "gets it". 

I just know I am grateful to have lived here for 40 years and get my soul refreshed by its beauty, and the people, on a regular basis.

Those were the first words on the phone from customer Ann..she explained, slightly panicked, that her son and his bride were on their honeymoon in the U.P. and had their bag stolen. "He cherished that shirt; it was the one item he really hated to lose" Ann stated and shared that it was our Live Streaming fly fishing shirt. Ann was heading up to see them, and hoped she could get a replacement to take him. We did one better; I discovered in the conversation that her sons' new bride was starting to enjoy the outdoors more so she could spend more time with him when he was fly fishing, so we printed up an outdoors-themed Roth shirt for her and made them both "on the house" to help lesson the pain of the theft.

It's tough to lose a Roth, isn't it..??

=:l

I'm no different than anyone else, I guess.... I mentioned how people start blogs on their web pages and then don't post for 2 years.... I'm almost to a month between posts. Of course, it's summer in northern Michigan in the t-shirt business and things get busy. I'm enjoying seeing more and more faces, and more and more people who love our shirts, designs, and friendly customer service. Hope to see you soon!  Ed

Our favorite (all our customers are our favorites!) customer Lisa (2nd from left), with her friend Cindy (far right), stopped in the store recently to up her supplies (second pic was her current stash of Roth Shirts). Always a joy to see them both, and we gave Lisa a rare tour of the dungeon where the grandmas print and let her pick out a design from the archives. If we ever open a store in Holland, MI, hopefully she will run it for us!  =:l

In a recent conversation with a like minded thinker, they mentioned that in doing business today it too often feels like the only thing that matters is "the transaction". It got me to thinking how I am inundated with emails all day long telling me I can increase my click rates, make profit out of abandon carts, use their methods to increase my sales 150%, etc. That seems to be the focus these days, and I hear very little on how to increase my customer service, how to serve my customers better, how to create a much better, more quality product. If we can just get someone to click and complete a transaction, that is what it appears to be all about.

   I still think that if we have more fun, more free-spirited creativity, more uplifting experiences with our employees and customers, the clicks and sales and... "transactions"...  will probably happen, and our approach will be more rewarding and life-worthy.

The beauty up here is never ending, always something new to discover. I love being in the right mindset on a hike to slow down and/or stop to discover amazing things in nature that defy our explanation. Beauty that moves the soul and is unexplainable. This was from a hike Saturday to a "secret trail" on Old Mission Peninsula

May 1st.. spring, of course, is such a special time. New blossoms on trees, grass turning green, being able to get outside again and enjoy hiking, yard work, seeing neighbors... and of course, Traverse City and Roth Shirt Co. gearing up for another season of enjoyment and activity. We have a great summer staff, new designs and products, and we look forward to seeing our friends and meeting new ones this season.

We have added a new zip hoodie this year. We have only had athletic grey as a color choice, and we have added a great evergreen color. Also, we believe the quality, look, and feel of this hoodie is better yet. And lastly, it will be easier to order a zip hoodie online as all the design options are clearly available individually for simple ordering.

I've been very fortunate; when I was young, I had the opportunity to learn how a good, people oriented business is run.  I had been living an adventurous young life, pursuing backpacking, traveling, and adventure, and my job history was pumping gas and flipping pizzas. I fell into a job with Gordon Food Service (where my weekly pay jumped from $100 a week to $500 a week), and I was Blessed to see how a good company runs a customer/employee centric business. It allowed me to see a successful business in action and give me a vision of good business practices. I learned a lot as well during my 14 years as a realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, and now I have been approached by another great business, Team Elmer's, to create special shirts for their employees. It is uplifting again to work with a great team and a business built on hard work and commitment to community, employees, and customers

Earth day is this weekend, and I think this is absolutely the best earth day shirt for Michiganders and Michigan lovers like yourself...

Many people start blogs on their webpage, then don't continue them. Will I fall victim to the same, the "New Years resolution trap?"  Tune in to find out