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Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

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Field Trip to Hartford Prints!

In Business, local artist, Marketing, Open House, Photography on May 28, 2013 at 9:17 PM

I took a break in today’s busy schedule to travel into Hartford to meet the three sisters who own and operate Hartford Prints! – a Letterpress studio.

Addy, Callie and Rory run all aspects of the business and it was fun to meet them in person and watch the printing press in action. They’ve designed some vintage (with a modern twist) gift certificates for me which will be ready just in time for my Open House on Saturday (if I remember to order the envelopes tonight).  Each one was run through the press individually. How cool is that?!

I have to admit – I love paper and the craft of the old printing presses. If I weren’t already immersed in photography, massage therapy and running a studio I would definitely want to learn more about what these girls do all day. Since I couldn’t dive into all the old wood and metal letters or take them home with me, I took way too many pictures and will share a few with you here.

It’s so important to support your local artists. Handmade, one of a kind items are a treasure! Hartford Prints! offers a class at Christmas time where you can go into the studio and make your own holiday cards!! Check them out on Facebook to be reminded of the event so you can mark your calendar and plan to be there.

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Homemade Sugar Scrubs & Limoncello … preparing for my Open House

In Business, cooking, Indulge, Marketing, Massage, Open House, Photography, Specials on May 25, 2013 at 9:06 PM

How are you spending your Memorial Day weekend? It’s cold and rainy here and I’ve spent all day in the studio doing more prep for the Open House this Saturday.

Check out these homemade sugar scrubs! They look good enough to eat. Made from sugar in the raw, fresh local honey, extra virgin olive oil and organic vanilla & almond extracts they are ideal for exfoliating your skin in the shower – and the oil that is left behind is perfect for shaving.

The first twenty people to make a purchase between 1-4 PM at the Open House get to take home a complimentary sample. I made one extra for myself and can’t wait to use it!

My friend Catherine spent this afternoon preparing her gift to the Open House – homemade limoncello!!

The vodka has to soak up that lemon for the next seven days before it’s ready … but I have to tell you, it smells SO good already!!! She spent a whole lot of time making sure all the pith was off that rind and I’m sure it’s going to be worth it.

Drop by on Saturday, June 1st between 1 and 5 PM and you just might get a sample. First person to arrive is going to win a free chair massage and there are raffles for a 30 minute Swedish massage and a coupon for 20% off a photographic print. Grab a friend and come check out my new studio – I’d love to see new faces.

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Open House … June 1, 2013 … Celebrate the Grand Opening of Tania Palermo Studio on Main!

In Business, Marketing, Massage, Photography, Portrait, Specials on May 15, 2013 at 4:29 PM

The date is set! Saturday June 1, 2013 from 1pm-5pm will be the grand opening of Studio on Main.

First guest to arrive gets a gift certificate for a free chair massage.

Raffles for a 30 minute Swedish Massage, free sugar scrubs to the first 20 people to make a purchase … and more.

Bring a friend and join us!!

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indiegogo campaign … and first round of public thank yous

In Business, Marketing, Massage, Photography on May 12, 2013 at 7:35 AM

I’ve created an Indiegogo campaign to help raise funds for the studio. There are a few items I need in order to transition into being a professional, working studio – like photo back drops, some light stands … and even the ability to do some more marketing. Click the link below to view the campaign:

Help Raise $5000 for Tania Palermo Studio on Main

There are  many ways to help. You can give financially to the campaign. If that is not possible you can offer support by helping to spread the word to your friends and family in order to help me reach my goal. You can simply tell people you know about Studio on Main in order to help me build my client base. Or – just pop in some time and say hello … having company along a journey makes it much more rich.

The perks for helping are different for each level of donation and include things like a therapeutic massage session, a portrait session and some of my signed photographic prints … along with a public thank you!!

Today I’d like to say thank you to:

Josephine DeQuattro, Sue Forbes & Sandy Graham who sent me $$ before I ever even mentioned a crowd funding campaign. Ridiculously thoughtful!! Your gifts helped me purchase a sign for the studio, amongst other things.

Anne Odell for loaning me an antique chaise lounge to do some studio portraits in. We tested it out with five year old Carter and it’s a wonderful addition to the shop.

Ellen Mangiafico for giving me beautiful furniture for the front porch and Papa Palermo for a work table that I love. Now folks will be able to sit for a minute after their massage – a nice transition before heading back to a busy day.

And to:

Nick Palermo, Jr; Glenn Sinon; Jessica Hart; Jessica Gionet; Darci Sosa and Laura Dougherty for their very, very generous financial donations to the campaign. Just wow!! :) You’ll never know how much your help means. I’m so touched I don’t know the right words!

Check the campaign out here!

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Carter and the two second portraits … photography at Studio on Main

In Business, Children, Photography, Portrait on May 7, 2013 at 6:21 AM

 

I see posts online all the time about the “10 minute portrait” – how to get a decent shot when you are short on time.

 

 

Five year old Carter and his mom popped into the studio recently to deliver me a piece of furniture – and Carter insisted on being my model.

 

 

We invented the “two second portrait” … lol.  First he ran full speed through the studio – in and out of the massage room, kitchen, gallery space – then back to the photography space. He’d hop up on a chair, stool, couch – and shout “take my picture now” – at which point he’d smile and sit still for literally two seconds before wiggling down and running the course again.

 

 

It was actually a lot of fun to photograph someone so excited to be my subject and gave me a great opportunity to explore the light and space.  I’ve been so busy just setting up and promoting the massage therapy portion of the business that I’ve neglected to remind anyone that I am a photographer too.

 

 

The possibilities here are endless. There is a beautiful indoor space, a huge front porch and even a small yard. Room for both styled and natural shoots, I can’t wait to get started.

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A wonderful compliment … first day success … and soft opening mishap.

In Business, Indulge, Massage, Specials on May 1, 2013 at 4:47 PM

It’s been a great day so far!! Thanks for all the well wishing texts, emails and phone calls. I’ve had a few people ask me what time the soft opening is tonight – so just to be clear – I am open for business but haven’t scheduled an open house yet. I hope to see you there when it happens. :)

The wonderful compliment: My first client of the day … and of the new business … got $20 off her massage!! I couldn’t have been more happy to work with her.  We chatted for a few minutes before hand and she told me that she’s had a few massages in the past but didn’t see what the big deal was. After her session was over she came out with that “massage drunk” face I love and said … “Now I get it …” What a great compliment and perfect way to begin my new venture. :)

 

 

The first day success: Besides doing massage … I’ve also sold three pictures today!! This is so great!

Soft opening mishap #1:  The fuse in my massage room kept turning off whenever I tried to plug in my heater. I wound up unplugging a few things and pulling it all together and now know of one thing I need to figure out before the next session.

 

 

Soft opening mishap #2: Cox came to set up Internet today at 10:30am … and didn’t finish ’til … 3:30pm. I had to call in help to watch over the shop so they could continue to work while I was in massage.

It all worked out in the end and all in all it’s been a fun first day! Can’t wait to see you here. :)

 

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What is a soft opening? [May 1, 2013]

In Business, Marketing, Massage, Photography, Specials on April 29, 2013 at 7:15 PM

There’s been some confusion over my use of the term “soft opening” for my new studio. Several people told me they had no idea what I was talking about – so they didn’t know how to respond.

I think I learned the phrase from my days in the service industry. When a new restaurant opens it is good practice to do a soft opening before the grand opening. It means that you open your doors for business quietly (no advertisements or announcements) and test the waters with a few customers who wander in. It gives the employees a chance to learn the ropes and gives a little cushion of time to correct any oversights that arise or errors in equipment functioning, etc. That way when you have a formal grand opening you are more prepared to put your best face forward.

In my case by soft opening I mean that I’ve only just gotten my hands on the space in the past couple of days. I’m pretty much ready to do business – but not everything will be in place for a while. Aesthetically probably not for a year. Specifically – my massage room is up and ready to roll. I already have a massage booked for May 1st – the first day of my soft opening – Yay! …and have sold my first gift certificate! The art gallery is in progress – and will develop over time. Many of my things are in – and in the near future I will add more variety from other local artists. Photographically – I’m ready to take portraits – as I have always been, using natural light and organic backgrounds. Photo studio wise – my backdrops are still coming as well as some extra lights. So that end of the business is ready to function – and will grow and change as time goes on.

The grand opening will probably come in late May/early June. This will be a chance for the general public to come see the space – enjoy some refreshments – and learn about all I have to offer. In the meantime – I appreciate all positive word of mouth. For all of May 2013 there is a special offer of $15 off of the 60 or 90 minute house massage – so tell someone to take advantage of it and book today!

Here are several quick pictures I took today – sneak peek.

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Postcards have arrived … $15 off for May 60 & 90 minute “house massages”

In Business, Marketing, Massage, Specials on April 26, 2013 at 12:57 PM

They’re here!!

The postcards to announce the soft opening of the studio have arrived – and along with them a reminder that all 60 & 90 minute “house massages” are $15 off for the month of May 2013. I can’t wait to spread the word – and I hope you’ll help me. I’ve got extras for you to pass along to anyone you know who might love/need a massage.

p.s. Isn’t that just about everyone you know? ♥

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A sneak peek of what I accomplished today …

In Business, Marketing, Massage, Photography on April 22, 2013 at 9:41 PM

A good portion of my day today was spent designing and ordering some marketing materials. It’s amazing just how much time that can take when you are not a graphic artist … and are very inept at the software you are using to attempt a design. While in the end I enjoyed the process – it took up a ton of time and I’m looking forward to becoming financially successful enough to be able to hire out for these sorts of things in the future. I was getting a little punchy by the time I got to the back of the business card and went with a touch of humor in my ‘save the date’ section.

Here’s the sneak peek … one postcard and one business card:

2013April22_OpeningPostcard_TaniaPalermo_StudioOnMain copy

 

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2013April22_BackOfBusinessCard_TaniaPalermo_StudioOnMain copy