by admin | Oct 22, 2017 | Business Tips, Customers/Examples
Rose City Label is proud to support Family Business education. As we mentioned in this post, we recently presented to the senior class at the OSU Family Business education 
program. We are proud to be a family business – there are many good reasons for this, as outlined here in this post.
As a result of this presentation, we were contacted by a student in the Family Business education program. He asked about pricing for labels for his startup Kombucha business.
Because of the students’ drive and dedication, we were happy to offer this first run of labels for free! We believe in supporting family business education.
We believe in growing the next generation of business leaders.
We Support Family Business Education
The story of INTEA is quite fascinating, as noted here below:
INTEA Kombucha is a Corvallis based company dedicated to the production of high quality, artistically crafted fermented kombucha tea. INTEA was born out of a shared passion for the art of fermentation by four friends from opposite sides of the equator. Despite our busy lives as graduate students and brewing professionals, we make time for what we are truly passionate about, and that is Kombucha. As the saying goes in Chile, we are crazy as goats! Along with a shared passion for fermentation science, the founders believe in embracing life with a sense of playfulness, curious engagement, and joy. The name INTEA came to fruition on the shores of a Cascade mountain lake; a play on the words “Inti” for the Incan sun god and “tea”, for the nutrient medium necessary for kombucha fermentation. The sun featured in our logo represents the light, brightness, and positivity that illuminates our everyday endeavors.
These young entrepreneurs are SERIOUS about making a good product.
At INTEA, we specialize in the production of small batch, artisanal fermented Kombucha. Our proprietary fermentation process begins with a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria and a blend of green and black teas. We create intense flavors by using only 100% real fruits, herbs, and spices grown under the sun, and capture natural effervescence from the fermentation process.
This process ultimately achieves a low or no alcohol, low calorie, gluten free beverage with a mouthwatering tart, pleasantly fruity, carbonated taste making it an excellent alternative to beer, cider, or wine. You can find INTEA Kombucha at the Corvallis Farmer’s Market, delivered right to your front door in Corvallis, and at select locations in the local Corvallis area.
Thank you, team INTEA for helping us have hope for the future. This is why we support Family Business Education – people like you that are carrying the ball forward into the future.
by admin | Sep 21, 2017 | Business Tips, Company News, Customers/Examples
We always try to be a Customer Focused Business, but today I had an experience that made me pause to evaluate HOW we serve our customers. Are we really serving them the way THEY want to be served? What do our policies, hours, and communication methods tell them? Are we a customer focused business – from their perspective?
Today I visited stopped at a coffee shop on the way to work, but it didn’t open until 8am. What? If I am a coffee shop, serving busy professionals, I need to cater to their hours, right? Most people, like me, what coffee early in the morning on the way to work. Yes, some come in later and have meetings or chat with friends – but MANY coffee consumers need their caffeine early…
Open For Business
Do our policies and business practices say, ‘We Are Open For Business’? Are we meeting our customers where they want to be met? And what could you – our loyal customers and readers – learn and apply to your own business? There are many, many ways to be a customer focused business, but often we get caught up in our own internal operations to the point that we don’t see things from their perspective. We need to do a periodic audit to see if we are living up to this goal.
Hours
Our hours of operation need to match the schedules of our customers. We print for other businesses, so being open during business 
hours is fine for us. But what if you serve single parents? What if you are a dentist working on kids? You probably need times that allow them to get services without missing school. If people are always racing to your office right before you close, you may need to
stay open a bit longer.
Communication
Do people want to meet in person? Fill out a form online? Or meet in person? We try to accommodate all of these options. Email is fast and efficient, but many want to talk about their project on the phone. When we can, we always prefer to have people in for a tour to see our shop and meet our people – or, we go to them to discuss their labels. Whatever they want – however they need to be served – that is what we try to deliver.
Product Design and Delivery
What features and benefits to you offer? And do your CUSTOMERS care? Being a customer focused business means listening before you speak. Finding out where it hurts before you begin to solve the painful problem. Sometimes durability is a huge issue for labels, but sometimes it isn’t (for a temporary, or disposable label). We need to ask the right questions to provide the right product with the features that are important to YOU, not just the things we think are important.
Balance
We can’t be all things to all people. We can’t cater to every whim. Maybe the coffee shop today only serves neighborhood regulars that come in later and stay all day? Maybe I am not their target customer? If this is the case and they have determined this and chose their hours on purpose then BRAVO to them. It certainly wasn’t a fit for me, but it did give me pause to think about our own business to make sure we are asking the right questions. We have to always be mindful of what is important to our customers – we need to keep a constant pulse on what they want so we can continue to grow and prosper.
Want to work with a customer focused label company? Call us today!
by admin | Sep 14, 2017 | Business Tips, Technical
We recently attended the TLMI Technical Conference in Chicago to network with leaders in our industry. This year it was rebranded as ‘PrintTHINK’ and it was packed full of good content. We have always been big fans of TLMI – click here to learn more – as it represents the very best label printers and suppliers in America. According to one survey, the 150 label printer members of TLMI (including Rose City Label) account for 59% of the $7 BILLION dollars worth of label printing in North America. The Supplier members that sell us ink, paper, and equipment probably account for an even higher percentage of the total in their fields.
As a past Chairman of TLMI, I was asked to speak at the conference two years ago about building an outstanding company culture. Check out the highlights of that presentation by clicking here. After the conference I followed up with a more detailed review – see those lessons by clicking here.
As with past conferences, there was tons of great value presented in the lectures and panel discussions. The vendors were very generous with their time and information. It was wonderful to get a quick snapshot of the industry now, and the direction for the future. BUT, without a doubt, the greatest value in the conference is having the opportunity to Network with Leaders. Comparing stories with other people running successful companies across the country is always the best part. People share freely and help each other to learn and grow. Many have invited us in for a tour of their shop. This is the what it means to network with leaders – sharing your stories and helping all companies get to a higher, better, more profitable state. We helped others and other certainly helped us. We will be back in 2019 for sure.
The agenda was jam packed and the evenings were full of dinners and time at the bar. These are a few of the main highlights:
Vendors are Out with New Technology
The pace of change has never been faster, but the cooperation has never been greater. In one panel, press manufacturers collaborated to share all the new features of automation, quick changeover, and precise print control. Along with automated presses, people talked about shop management software, printing inks, and specialty coatings.
Digital Press Options Abound
The HP Indigo digital press in our shop remains the Gold Standard for the type of high quality wine, beer, and spirits labels we focus on. It has more installations world wide than any other press in this class. BUT, new UV Inkjet machines are finally getting to a mature state. These presses have a different color profile and print on different label materials, but they print very FAST. As we continue to grow our digital business, we will keep our eye on these options.
The PEOPLE Make the Difference
More than anything, it is the personal, honest conversations with our friends that make the trip worthwhile. We learned the REAL story about their new equipment so we could progress without making the same mistakes. We learned about the REAL cost of accessories for one new press from a friend in San Diego, we got good ideas about revising our accounting from a friend in Vermont, and we were inspired by the dedication of another in Pittsburg. Real, honest sharing and best practices. This is the value of networking with leaders – and the value of all conferences.
Call us Today!
If you want to partner with a company that likes to network with leaders, call us today. We stay on the cutting edge of equipment, techniques, and systems so we can always provide you with the highest quality labels. Our business is booming but we would love to hear from you. Please call us today.
by admin | Jul 5, 2017 | Business Tips, Company News
Being a Family Business is a huge part of the culture and feeling at Rose City Label. We are proud to be family owned and operated. Coworkers, customers and vendors are all part of this extended family. It is the glue that holds us together. Recently, we were invited to speak to the students in the OSU Family Business Program. Helping build the family business’ culture of the future in this state is something we are very passionate about. We are proud to give back to this wonderful program.
What we Told the Students
Family Business isn’t Easy but it is Worth It!
The students in this class were all Junior and Senior level students that have a Family Business in their family. Not all are sure about their future within that business, but most are very interested to take on the challenge. We were brutally honest about the difficulties, heartache, and hurt feelings that come along from time to time. Also, we were very emphatic that it is the very best career option for many people – like us. It isn’t easy, but the rewards (mostly non-financial) make it worthwhile.
Be Patient and Respect Your Elders
Respect is the key to being respected. Your family business has been successful for many years, so it is best to watch and learn before trying to make changes. Don’t upset the system until you understand the system. Learn the trade – not just the tricks. Your value as a next generation member will be exaggerated when you can bridge the generations between yourself and your elders – when you can combine the best of their ideas and yours, then you will add value.
YOU have value – your time will come
With all the respect and deference that has been earned, don’t sell yourself short. Your family wouldn’t want you in the business if you didn’t have some real value to add. You have a unique perspective to bring to the conversation – don’t afraid to (respectfully) put forth your own opinions and ideas. You have a contribution to make and the business will be better if you make it.
Why Family Business
Being a family is a real competitive advantage. This blog post from 2015 shows many reasons why the family enterprise outperforms the average business. A longer time horizon is one of the main things that helps a family business win. When multiple generations are involved in a business, the idea of ‘legacy’ is always on our mind. We want to build and grow this enterprise so we have something of value to pass along to the next generation. This isn’t just a focus on quarterly or annual goals, but lifetime goals that last forever. This long time horizon makes difficult, correct decisions much easier. The United Front is also always in the front of your mind – we are all in this together, so we have to make it work for everyone. Cooperation and grace are always the watch words for our interactions. These two characteristics make a family business a very powerful force in the world.
OSU Family Business Program
We have learned from (and been recognized by) the OSU Family Business Program for the past 5 years. The AUSTIN FAMILY BUSINESS PROGRAM at OSU is an amazing, focused business school with a special emphasis on entrepreneurship and family business. Learn more by clicking here. Besides the current students enrolled in Bachelors and Masters degree programs, the OSU Family Business Program provides seminars and outreach to family businesses in the state. These seminars, and a dedicated network of professional advisors, provide a huge resource for the family owned businesses in the state of Oregon. We were proud to lecture to senior students about our experience growing up in and leading a successful family business.
Family Business of the Year
Rose City Label was a runner up in 2013 (click here for more info) and the big winner in 2015 – Austin Family Business of the Year. Check out the video presentation here.
Giving Back
Being successful in business is a privilege that we take very seriously. As part of that responsibility, we like to give back to our community. We do this in various ways, including charitable donations. More than that, we love the opportunity to share our story and impact future business leaders. Teaching and helping other family business owners (and future owners) is something we look forward to doing as often as possible. Do you know a good business program that needs a speaker? Call us today!
by admin | Mar 1, 2017 | Beer Wine Spirits, Business Tips
Based on a talk by Clare Carver, Big Table Farm – From Oregon Wine Symposium February 2017
The Oregon Wine Symposium was again packed with useful content for wineries and suppliers alike. Technical information about wine making, soil, and marketing were all covered. Among the best sessions was about building your brand and telling your story in an authentic way. This was a panel discussion but the piece that resonated with me was presented by Clare Carver of Big Table Farm in Gaston, OR. Clare was very clear on her own story – she has been repeating it for years:
“we are a winemaker and an artist, we grow and produce what we love to eat and drink”
From that base, Clare provided real, tactical suggestions that all of us can use to build our own brands. She talked about how a BRAND, more than a company or a product, is a cumulative connection that is built over time. The brand story should, ‘feed what we are hungry for – connection and community’. A solid BRAND will resonate with the right people and make them feel like a part of something bigger than themselves.
Clare also touched on the very important need for all brands/wineries/businesses to have a current, mobile friendly website, preferable with an active blog and online store. The website should also be integrated and linked with all your social media properties to reinforce the story in all the different places your customers are hanging out. Finally, we were reminded that it is important for people to engage, comment, and reply to their ‘tribe’ on social media. Rather than broadcasting a message, we are starting and sustaining a conversation with people online.
To close her presentation, Clare left us with five amazing, tactical tips that we can all use as we grow our brand and connect our people with our purpose. These are Clare’s Tips:
Clare Tip #1 – Love the One You’re With
When you are at an event, don’t race to shake every hand in the room. Don’t try to talk to 20 people, strive to make a real connection with 2-3 people
Clare Tip #2 – Find Common Ground to Make Real Connections
Talk about what is real for you. Don’t try to be someone else or try to make connections based on things that don’t apply to you. Be authentic and tell your own story.
Clare Tip #3 – Say Yes! Just Show Up
Volunteer, give back, speak, pour wine. Go to auctions and industry events. All the events and activities you participate in are cumulative. Everything builds in layers as your story develops.
Clare Tip #4 – Do the Work – aka – Hustle!
Follow up, send story ideas to reporters, send photos. Stay with it and don’t give up. Media contacts and influencers are busy, but they are always looking for compelling content – make it easy for them to tell your story.
Clare Tip #5 – Collaborate and Cooperate
Be active in your local AVA association. Promote Brand Oregon. Collaborate with other wine makers and growers. Work together to build and grow the whole industry together.
I was thoroughly impressed with this presentation. I am fan and follower of Clare and Brian and I can’t wait to try their amazing wine. Learn more at www.bigtablefarm.com. From there you can connect with Clare on social media and follow what is happening with their brand.
Want more help Building YOUR Brand with Amazing Labels?
Please call us today – we look forward to helping you find the right selection of materials, design, and printing process to connect with your audience and grow your business. We have been doing this since 1928 and we know what it takes to make you successful. Call us today – we can help.
by admin | Jun 7, 2016 | Business Tips, Label News
Now that nearly everyone carries a smartphone, QR codes are becoming an increasingly popular marketing tool. Savvy consumers often scan QR codes in the store before deciding to purchase an item. This makes them an excellent tool for guiding potential customers toward the decision to purchase your product.
What Are QR Codes?
QR is short for “quick response.” These are small, square, two-dimensional barcodes, which can be read by traditional barcode scanners and by smartphone apps. Today, nearly every smartphone has an app that will scan QR Codes, read hyperlinks, and bring the user directly to any web location you choose.
Including a QR code on your product label can turn your packaging into a dynamic, flexible, perpetual marketing tool. The code can point to a web page you can update as often as you’d like, effectively providing your current and potential customers with whatever information you wish them to have. The possibilities are as limitless as the Internet itself. You can link the code to anything you like, including:
- Customer review sites such as Yelp or Google
- Online magazine article or review featuring your product
- Food pairing suggestions
- Any page you like (or a new page you set up for this purpose) on your existing website
Your QR Code is Free!
The best part? The code costs literally nothing. Unlike UPC symbols, which can become costly, you can generate a unique QRC at no expense using free tools available online. If you prefer, we’d happily create one for you based on the URL you provide.
Including your QRC on a new label design adds nothing to the cost of your product labels, meaning you can take advantage of this technology at no expense. We can add a QR code to an existing digital label at no charge as well. For labels printed on a conventional press, there’s a small fee for setting up a new printing plate, just like any other change in label design.
QR Codes on Food Labels
By including a QRC on your custom food or beverage label, you can give your customers—and potential customers who may be standing in a store considering what product to purchase—an array of rich online content. This could include:
- Online coupons or other promotions
- Seasonal or monthly recipes
- Contact information
Imagine having the opportunity to provide a wealth of valuable information and gently persuasive marketing copy in a square inch of space in the corner of your custom food label. It’s easy to see why QR codes are becoming increasingly popular not just with marketers, but with consumers as well.
QR Codes for Personal Care Labels
Portland loves its small-batch, eco-friendly personal care products. Green cosmetics and other health and beauty products face particularly stiff competition in the Pacific Northwest. With all the green skincare lines and other natural personal care products competing for shelf space, it’s a safe bet that many of your potential customers pick up several products and read the labels before making a purchase decision. With a QR code, you can send any smartphone user to read testimonials, view videos or see a list of complimentary products in your line—right there in the store.
Private Label Beer, Wine or Spirits
Do you provide private label libations for weddings and other special events? How’s this for a value-added service? Include a QR code that can point to:
- A slide show for attendees to discuss
- A YouTube video of a newlywed couple thanking wedding guests for attending
- A web page that updates for annual or other repeating events
- Literally any Internet content the event host desires
Rose City Label Can Help
QR codes on your custom product labels are an easy, convenient means of bringing consumers to the website of your choosing. They are becoming more widely recognized and popular every day. Many consumers, once they discover them, scan nearly every code they see in a store. A single, static code offers unlimited marketing opportunities, as you can update the page it leads to as often as you care to.
Can you afford not to employ this emerging, increasingly popular marketing tool? Talk to us today about including a QR code as part of every label in your product line.
