Finding a Plumber...

Mike Draper- RAYGUN owner

When I started RAYGUN, the whole venture seemed a little uncertain. I had never screenprinted, I had never used design software, I had never worked in retail, I had never used a cash register, and I didn’t know anyone with similar businesses. I was a 21-year-old history student at the University of Pennsylvania and only knew that I wasn’t cut out for a regular job.

Now when I look back at the trajectory of the company, since it all really started in 2004, I realize that you may need artistic talent to be a great artist. But if you’re looking to build an artistic company, being a great artist isn’t even in the top three things you need.

Number one above all else: reply to all your e-mails as soon as you can.

This really applies to any field. And if you can do that, your odds of success sky-rocket. Replying to all e-mails as soon as possible will help establish some personal discipline, which lets you slog through the endless bullshit that small businesses really face (finding a plumber, fixing a messed-up order from a supplier, find the right kind of track-light bulb). It’s a simple base of your daily routine.

Replying to all e-mails also establishes an aura of dependability with those you’re corresponding with. And dependability is the top thing  you need to run a successful artistic, or non-artistic company. Because at the end of the day, a customer doesn’t necessarily know amazing art from great art, but they do know if it’s a month late. They do know if they’ve been disrespected or not appreciated.

In the beginning, I used to do custom printing and design for other people (that side was sold in 2010), and dependability was my main business edge.

Say you’re a potential screenprinting customer, and your boss has given you a job: have 500 purple t-shirts with a log on them by Friday or you’re fired.

Now, say you have two friends: one is the Picasso + Michelangelo +  Da Vinci of screenprinting, but he only gets stuff done on time 50% of the time, the other friend is me, owner of RAYGUN, who does fine work, but has it done 100% of the time.

You’d have to be high on mescaline to choose the non-dependably guy. Your assignment is not to get great on a t-shirt no matter how long it takes, your assignment is just to have t-shirts by Friday.

There’s an upside and a downside to this business advice.

The upside is that anyone has the potential to do it. Any able bodied person can be dependable, just like any able bodied person can lose weight or control their diet.

The downside is that barely anyone can really accomplish it. Being dependable involves showing up every day. Working hard. Just like losing weight requires eating right and exercising.

The steps are simple, the implementation is hard.

But like losing weight, most people will tell you that there was one small, turning point when they knew they had to do it. For me, the most important thing was my decision that I knew I didn’t want a regular job after college. I wanted to do something creative, and I’d do whatever it took to realize that. Only then, when I was pointed in the right direction, in the direction that I cared about, was I able to muster the discipline to keep my dependability up every day for years on end.

The Bow Tie Guy

Danny Beyer
Business Development Manager
Experis IT

It happened.  I was out networking a month or so ago and someone came up to me and said, "Hey, you're the bow tie guy right?  So why aren't you wearing one?"  It's official, I'm now the bow tie guy for the West Des Moines Chamber.  I wrote a blog last fall called The Case for Bow Ties.  I think now is a good time to revisit that post and maybe convince a few more guys to make the switch they've been thinking about for months.  Enjoy!

You may have noticed some changes to my profile picture the past week.  I’ve finally made the leap and done something I’ve wanted to do for years – learned how to tie a bow tie.  So why now?  Why finally figure out how to manipulate that silly piece of fabric and wear what some might call “nerdy” and others call “cool” or “hip?”  It’s simple really.  Because I want to.  Not to be with the in crowd or try and impress all the hipsters out there.  It really comes down to the fact that I like bow ties.  The variety of patterns, the different knots, and most importantly, the way they look.  I understand not everyone will agree with these thoughts and so here are a couple of other reasons for those of you who may be considering a bow tie but don’t want to put up with the strange grins or the hassle of learning to tie one.

1.  Bow ties are actually in fashion.  Richard Cristodero of Brooks Brothers explains that bow tie sales are up every week compared to last year while everything else in the store is either holding course or even declining in sales.  They’re also in more and more ads recently.  And not just “old guy” ads either.  Turn on any celebrity award show or concert and I’d bet you a dollar you’ll see some young actor or musician sporting a bow tie.

2.  It’s not as hard to tie one as you might thing.  Can you tie your shoe?  Then you can tie a bow tie.  That’s the easiest thing to compare it to.  Google “how to tie a bow tie” and literally thousands of YouTube videos come up to help you figure it out.  Still having issues?  Just go a clothing store that sells them and ask for help.  Odds are someone will be able to help you tie it and will be more than happy to give you lessons!

3.  Girls dig bow ties.  Let me repeat – Girls Dig Bow Ties.  It’s true.  Sure there are some who will giggle or won’t get it.  But if you’re considering wearing a bow tie you probably don’t want to be around those girls anyway.  I’ve been to numerous events wearing a bow tie now and it’s amazing how many compliments and smiles I get when wearing one.  Still don’t believe me?  Try wearing one the next time you go out.  I dare you…  You’ll see!

4.  They’re a great conversation starter.  Not only do girls dig them, but most guys are generally interested in them as well.  Let’s face it, even though we (guys) like to give off the macho vibe and act like we’re not interested in fashion or what’s “hot” most of us secretly know.  Or at least we see enough television ads and other pop culture references that we typically subconsciously have an idea of what’s going on.  At the events I’ve worn my bow ties to more guys have come up to ask me about it than girls.  Things like, “cool, did you tie it yourself?”  ”Where did you learn to tie one?”  ”Is it hard?”  ”Looks good, wish I could pull it off.”  These are real quotes from the last wedding I went to and they’re from complete strangers!

5.  There’s just something about a bow tie.  Whether you’re trying for that trendsetter look or the intellectual look or even the polished gentleman look nothing can do it better right now than a bow tie.  They go great with Tuxes and jeans, full suits and tweed jackets.  They look great whether you’re smoking a cigar and drinking scotch or just having a Bud Light on the deck.

Just remember if you make the leap start simple, a classic solid or polka dot is always in fashion.  Learn to tie it!  There’s nothing worse than jumping into the bow tie scene wearing a clip on.  Wear it with pride and confidence.  There’s always going to be the haters, so let them hate.  They’re more than likely jealous of your confidence and the fact that you can pull it off!  I hope I’ve inspired you to give bow ties a try.  Now go get a bow tie and spread the love!