Interview with Ashley Bradley with Zany Promotions

What services or products does your organization offer?
Zany Promotions does two things. Zany promotions can take a musicalartists ideas for memorobilia and turn them into reality by ordering or making different things to sell or give away at concerts or events. Zany Promotions can also manage street teams and help musical artists Sell or give away there things by finding a good market.

What type of business or organization do you operate?

How many employees do you currently have?
Currently##comma## we have 6 members

How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
The business model was developed by myself and a friend brainstorming a way to run a successful promotions business. Together##comma## the two of us thought of things that would and would not work. You must concider hundreads of factors and also criticize yourself

How did you originally fund your organization?
We started our business by using personal funds. We took our lunch money and put half it to our business. We also did yard sales. After we had enough money##comma## we accepted a small business loan . Eventually##comma## we got some small grants as well.

Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes

Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
Not sure. Honestly##comma## I wouldn##aps##t say so.

What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
The largest obstacle for us was money. We would sell people things and make no profit whatsoever. For the first month##comma## we were losing money. Then we came up with an idea of how we could profit. We started using our computers and making things ourself and we also started charging more money for things. Then we had to pay some people back. After getting our financial situation straightened out##comma## we were on our way to success.

Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
I believe they are very important. It is possible##comma## but very complicated to start a business all on your own. The proper advisor can help you and their help really comes in handy. As a young entreprenear sometimes you will not be taken seriously##comma## and sometimes the help of others can make the process flow more easily

Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
There is a building in Philadelphia##comma## PA called the Enterprize Center which helped me develop a business plan.

What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
Dedication. If you plan on starting a business##comma## it is important that you have the dedication and can take time out to work on your business.

What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
We tried doing something more original. That really helps. If your idea is just the least bit original it stil has something that another business does not have and that##aps##s what makes you an indivisual.

What types of marketing do you employ?
I believe you should start out with a very open market so that more people can benefit from your business. About staying in the marketplace##comma## I didnt really have a method

Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Yes. We use the computer alot for our business. Making T-shirts##comma## flyers##comma## business cards##comma## stationary etc. was all done through the computer. As technology becomes more advanced##comma## so will our business.

What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Yes##comma## When starting the business we though that people would only use us if our prices were cheaper. Yes people were using us##comma## however we were loosing money in the process and to run a business you must also make a profit (if your business involves selling something

Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I never dreamed of being an entrepreneur##comma## I had the idea one day and followed through with it

What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
N/A

Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
N/A

Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Networking is a must for any entrepreneur. AN idea I had was to take a shoe box and put every single business card in the shoe box. When I needed help with my business I opened me shoe box and found names and numbers of people who could help me. Always Network because it can##aps##t do any wrong

What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
That things will happen faster if you use all of your resources. DOnt be afraid to ask for help

If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
School really helped me with my business especially math. When I am in college I plan on taking cources in marketing and management. I do not plan on running this business forever. This business was started to get an idea of what I wanted to do when I was older and I know what I want to do now. I want my carrer to be in the marketing and accounting business so through this business and through school##comma## I am learning things that will help me alot in the long run

What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Ask around for help. 6 degreese of seperation. Ask people you know for idea or if they can help you. You might have a cousin who has already started a business and you might not even know it