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Archive through May 09, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Apr. 2008 ~ June 2008: Career Group: Starting a Brand New Business--Advice... : Archive through May 09, 2008 users admin

Author Message
Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Jooj, You could phone a market research company and ask to speak to their focus group recruiting dept. I'm listed with 3 of them.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 1:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
I dunno, how, Juju--maybe MB can tell you.

I just got the callback from Schlessinger. Turns out I probably don't fit the criteria for the ideal candidate for this focus group. (So they must have gotten a list of names Wachovia, called them all, knowing only a certain number will actually say "yes."

The reason why I was on the list as it turns out, is because I am a small business owner. Heh! (And THAT'S probably why the payment was so high, MB.)

Now, you know I haven't really started yet The Pet Nanny business officially yet, but I didn't share that. I've made 3 purchases with my The Pet Nanny business check card, though--for those online logo jobs. And I've written one The Pet Nanny check--to Gene for the website development.

Turns out they are looking for businesses that gross over $50,000 a year. Heh. Well, I told him I had been in business 2 weeks (well, that's when I opened my Wachovia business account) and I fell in the group of gross receipts from 0-$50,000, not over $50,000. My contact there said he'd verify with Wachovia, but he was pretty sure I was not in the pool Wachovia wanted for this focus group.

So, probably spoke too soon. (When he left the message, he didn't mention any criteria I had to fit. Made it sound like it was a done deal.) Oh well!

I'll let you know if the "probably not" turns back into a "yes" from Schlessinger.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Newest logo. This one is from Guy Smalley. I LOVE IT! Just asked him to make the dog black and white and the dog's snout a bit skinnier.

1


I have 2 pet sitting jobs today! I am outta here til tonight.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Love the dress/feet, cat, dog, & fish. BUT IMHO, the bird's beak looks odd to me, more like a snout. Maybe it's the angle.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Doesn't bother me, MB. I think it's just supposed to be cartoony, smiley, funny. If it were more realistic, I think it would be hard to show him happy. With me?

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Cute!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Ah it's a smiley-beak, NOW I get it. Duh. Silly me. (Sometimes I have visual-comprehension probs. Thankfully it happens very rarely.)

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 10:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I like that last logo!!! It is very cute.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 11:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Very Cute!!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 7:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Thanks, MB for the focus group advice.

Latest logo is very cute. Can it be simplified a bit more?

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hmmm, Juju. You had the same reaction my hubby did. Think taking out the fish and perhaps having a smaller bird (parakeet) perched on her shoe would do it?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 8:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
My opinion is leave the bird and fish (and other animals) Just simplify everything. GEt rid of as much as you can (ie the scallops on the bottom of the skirt--though they are very cute)

Reduce as many actual lines as you can. Simple and clean is what you want. But I'd leave in all 4 animals..

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Anyone have ideas for a tag line? (A line that goes underneath the logo explaining further who your are or what you do . . . in this case, hopefully, in a memorable or catchy way.

Just brainstorming here. These are neither catchy nor memorable, but trying to convey the essence of the service. Share any ideas you have, too, PLEASE!!

The Pet Nanny
Your home + Your pets + The Pet Nanny = Love and care in every nook and cranny.

The Pet Nanny
At-home care for the little heartbeats at your feet

The Pet Nanny
The sitter your pet would choose

The Pet Nanny
Professional Home Pet Care

The Pet Nanny
When you're away, your pets still play

The Pet Nanny
At home care from a tender, loving professional

The Pet Nanny
Skills Uncanny!

The Pet Nanny
Respectful, loving care for your pet in your home

The Pet Nanny
Reliable, loving care for pets in their own homes

The Pet Nanny
We speak your pet's language

The Pet Nanny
Helping to make your pets' lives happier when you're not there

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 9:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Julieboo, I do understand a logo should be clean and all that. I've just fallen in love with this idea. Let me toy with your idea. I think I'll talk to this guy and ask him his opinion about logos in general.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 10:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
The Pet Nanny
Love and care in every nook and cranny.

doesn't need to be so wordy - just what i have above.


Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 10:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
and a quick way to clean up the lines.... don't show the backside of the skirt, unnecessary!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 10:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
The Pet Nanny
Your pet's next best friend

The Pet Nanny
Quality Pet Care in your Home

The Pet Nanny
The best in pet care for your best friend

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 10:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Great suggestions, landi!!!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 6:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
HP, you can always use two logos, especially if they are super similar. Basically if they are the same logo, one just has a few more things added to it. I think this logo is very cute as is. And since you are not marketing in a huge national campaign, I think you can easily get away with the one above as is.

Have him show you the above logo with out all the hatch type marks and shading. Like with only one thicker black type marker line.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 7:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
I like Landi's streamlined version best! :-)

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 8:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Herck, I feel that your tag line suggestions convey that you ONLY take care of pets in people's homes. You also walk dogs and that may very well wind up to be a good part of your business, so I wouldn't leave that out. Is your business name "Pet Nanny" or "The Pet Nanny," btw?

I also don't care for the "nook and cranny" part of the one landi likes (sorry landi, but pets aren't kept in anyone's nook or cranny...) I wouldn't be so hell-bent on making a "cute" tagline. This is your business card and it needs to be more informative rather than focusing on cute. The picture gives you more than enough cute!

Pet Nanny
Pet walking services
Feeding provided in your pet's familiar surroundings while you're away
TLC provided free!

That needs work, but I think it needs to be said. You can also have 2-sided cards printed and bullet out your services very clearly.

Personally, I like the back of the dress showing, otherwise it would look more like a blanket with some odd old lady feet hanging out from underneath, lol. I like all of the critter pictures a lot, and the only change I would suggest is that the bird not be quite as large. He's sort of overshadowing the cat, and I'm sure you'll have more cat people than bird!

I hope you don't take my post as negative, although everything I'm saying is contrary to what others are saying. I just don't see it the way they are, and I'm giving you my honest and forthright opinion.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 9:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Huk stop trying to explain why your opinion is your opinion lolol.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 9:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Thanks; you all make good points. Huk, I don't take them as negative at all. I agree with you about the size of the bird, the back of the dress, etc. And I think the tag line should be more explanatory than cute. You're right, the image is cute enough!

All of you--no matter how your opinions might vary, are such big helps to me. It's good to bounce ideas off of others, and getting as much feedback as possible is something a lot of people PAY for--in focus groups. So you are my focus group, and I appreciate your input, no matter what it is.

Yeah, even though the line rhymed beautifully, to me it didn't quite make sense. I was leaning toward "When you're away, your pets still play."

My name is "The Pet Nanny"--and I immediately corrected both Gene and Guy about that.

Lastly, I think the tag line should be informative but I'm not sure it has to be so comprehensive, though, Huk. I mean the bulleted copy which immediately follows somewhere on the page (or within a link) could spell that out. I would read a little further if I were looking for a dog walker. And doesn't pet care include dog walking?

Merrysea
Moderator

08-13-2004

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
HP, while pet care does include dog walking, if someone is looking for someone just to walk their dog, they might look specifically for dog walkers rather than pet care. For example, they might have friends or relatives who will take care of things while they're on vacation, but they want someone to walk their dog every day while they're at work.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 10:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Yay, Merrysea gets me, she really gets me (I feel so Sally Fieldish right now), ha ha!

I'm glad to be part of your focus group, Herck. I think we get 50 bucks for participating though, right?

You know best, and it is your business. Pick and choose what you like and throw away anything else. Ultimately, you have to like your own card!