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CodyMurray
Raw Talent Inc. | corporate@rawtalentinc.com | President##comma## C.E.O. | 02/01/2003 | CEO
Cody Murray is the Founder##comma##President##comma## and C.E.O. of Raw Talent Inc. A custom/corporate apparel company based out of Atlanta##comma##GA.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
I started out landing a job as an outside sales rep. for a nationwide apparel manufacturer. I traveled nationwide showing the line and attending tradeshows across the country; including the acclaimed Magic Internation Apparel Show in Las Vegas. Using the skills I learned##comma## I started my own apparel sales firm in 2000. We carried many different lines##comma## ranging from high-end menswear to women##aps##s pajamas. Using my knowledge of fashion and the heavy research into the Advertising specialties industry; my partner (Corey Bramlett)and I started Raw Talent Inc. in early 2002.
What services or products does your organization offer?
Raw Talent Inc. is a supplier of custom apparel to corporations##comma## organizations##comma##restaurants##comma## etc… In short##comma## we do custom screenprinting and embroidery. We also have an in-house graphic arts department which gives us the abillity to do custom artwork for our customers. Other services include: digitizing##comma## product selection##comma## private labeling##comma## broad apparel sourcing##comma## fulfillment##comma## catalog/on-line shopping cart development##comma## and polybagging. We are located in Lawrenceville##comma## GA; about 15 minutes north of Atlanta.
What type of business or organization do you operate?
We are set up as an S-Corp. This structure is for tax benifits due to the fact that my partner and I are the only share holders.
How many employees do you currently have?
11
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
Heavy research and necessity.
How did you originally fund your organization?
Financed with personal funds.
Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
Most definatly. As a company##comma## we have a very casual##comma## family-like atmosphere. We differ from everyone else in out business in the fact that we are young##comma## intelligent##comma## and very aggressive. By being somewhat out-of-the-box##comma## we are able to fulfill a very needed niche in our market.
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
Of corse##comma##being a young business owner (20)##comma## my age was a major obsicle. Not as much for myself to overcome##comma## but for some of our clients and my employees to overcome. The best way I have learned is mainly not to acknowledge it. You must be very proffesinal and articulate. You customers and employees must have faith in YOU and the services you provide. I tend to use the term ##quote##over-proffesional##quote## to describe the manner in which we do business. The rest of our obsticles have been the usual first year bugs. Budgeting##comma## spending##comma## etc…
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Having the proper advisors is important in ensuring you company runs smoothly. If you choose to model your company/business after another; remember to not only learn what to do##comma## but what not to do. To be successful you must be unique.
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
No.
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
Like I have said before##comma## you must be unique. We have accomplished being at the level that we are at by doing the most basic of business stratigies. This includes: proper bugeting /spending##comma## good planing##comma## new concepts##comma## fresh ideas##comma## quality product##comma## aggressive selling##comma## and customer satisfaction.
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
By thinking out-of-the box and being unique. We have a acctual background in the fasion business. That gives the abillity to bring that to the table and offer expertise in product selection##comma## color##comma## style##comma## marketing##comma## and merchandising. We also keep an edge by offering online fulfillment as well as ongoing market research. Do to the drop in our economy##comma## many companys are looking for fresh ideas. Raw Talent Inc. is here to fill that void.
What types of marketing do you employ?
Print ads##comma## mail-outs##comma## and word of mouth have been most successful. I have to give our sales team credit in this department as well. Instead of being a ##quote##order house##quote####comma## our sales staff acctualy travels and meets with our customers. By doing this we are able to gain insight into our customers business as well as their customers.
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Yes. Of corse the most valuable being the web itself. We are able to gain vital information about our clients as well as gain new leads. Our online fulfillment program is also a technological step which much of our competition has yet to take. We also have to most up to date graphics and decorating capabilities.
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Oh yea. If you don##aps##t make mistakes##comma## you are making a mistake in not acknowledging you mistakes! Most of this is improper spending and not doing enough research into our contractors/suppliers. I have also experienced mistakes in hiring inadequate salespersons. I have learned that only a very select few have the abllity to be a great outside sales rep.
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I have always been destined to be a entrepreneur. New ideas for business constantly flow through my brain. This##comma## coupled with intelligence##comma## determination##comma## unique ideas##comma## and a problem with athority##comma## put me where I am today.
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
The Art of War##comma## The Interpretation Of Dreams##comma## Media Virus##comma## INC Magazine.
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
Heavy in computer-base fields (web-everything##comma## networking##comma##etc…) I see new ideas for business extending from young minds. I also see a back-to-the-basics move for all businesses.
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Key. If people like you and your method of thinking##comma## there is no doubt they will give your business a chance. If you are able to follow through and provide an exceptional service##comma## you will no doubt succeed.
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
Be unique.
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
If you do not fully understand business##comma## do not know exactly what you want to do##comma## or need accrediation for a trade(i.e.- a tech career) then a formal education is vital. Remember though##comma## self education is definatly the most important. Formal education tends to prepare you for the ##quote##corporate world##quote## rather than prepare you to be a ##quote##corporate leader##quote##. This is done by you and only you. My business background is 0% academic and 110% real world.
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Do you research. Plan accordantly. Always strive to be the best. Never settle.
