This interview was taken by Todd McMillan.
Tell us about ColorEnlargement.
Colorenlargement.com has been in business for 5 years, serving our customers with exclusive photo enlargements on high quality luster paper, canvas or vinyl. There is NEVER the use of inferior or cheap products for making prints. The astute customer base we are proud to serve knows and insists upon quality color enlargements. Because our goal is to make our customers as happy as possible, it has been our pleasure to deliver optimal quality color enlargement.
Tell us a little about Bill.
Art and photography have been passions of mine for decades. I was fortunate enough to have a great art and photographer teacher in high school. The marriage of my art teacher and photography teacher had a galvanizing effect upon my young mind. Their names are Floyd and Carol Hutzel of Algona Iowa. Floyd Hutzel would often drill into the students the principle that “no matter what you do in life, be the best.” In my adult life, my personal goal has been to take those words to heart and live by them. It is the privilege of Colorenlargement.com to work hard and satisfy each and every one of our customers as we seek to continue to be the best photo enlargement company online. Since those early days I have been blessed to use my artistic skills in everyday life and now for a missionary organization that serves 13 orphanages in Africa and India, making an immediate and an eternal difference in the lives of thousands of precious children who would otherwise be without food, clothing, and education. Godloveskids.com has invited me to serve with them on numerous missions trips to Africa and India which has truly caused me to discover and develop true photography skills working with and photographing orphans. Most of my photography work is related to three missionary ministries with which I have travelled to 19 different countries including, Africa, India, and South and Central America). ArtForMissions.com & ArtForAmazonMissons.com
How did you get your start with ColorEnlargement?
I was a web designer and graphic artist for Frito Lay for 5 years when I was laid-off. Being 50 years old, I was pretty devastated and yet, looking back, this was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. It was a blessing in disguise. It was then that I started ColorEnlargement.com and purchased a couple 60” wide format printers, a scanner, laminator, and a few other needed tools and set up shop and begin producing quality photo enlargements for our satisfied customers. ColorEnlargement.com has now been in business for 8 years and has been quite successful in building a healthy nationwide customer base. Our daily goal is to produce the best possible prints on the best quality paper at a reasonable price. I think we have achieved that objective.
What does ColorEnlargement.com offer and/or do that sets you above your competition?
That’s a great question. Since customer service is our top priority, I believe that this gives ColorEnlargement.com the edge. Most of the images that we get are perfect but I suppose the thing that separates us from the rest is that we try to make every image as good as it can be and if that includes making adjustments to the color, saturation, hues or removing a lint mark, or something that is distracting in the image we remove it whenever possible. One example of that is if we get a portrait and a person has a pimple, we will remove it (no one wants that in a portrait). We really do try to go that extra mile for our customers. When a customer emails us, a personal email is returned addressing the desire and goal of the customer. We are also available by telephone for our customers. Also, at ColorEnlargement.com we strive to deliver a rapid turn-around, delivering product within 24-48 hours of receipt of the order. All orders are mailed “priority” so that the finished product should be received within 2-3 days.
What are a few of the challenges you face in your business?
The challenge of perfecting the quality of the images sent to us by our valued customers is the challenge we gladly face with a solution-based approach. In order to deliver optimum quality product, we strive to keep a good stock of inks and papers on hand to serve our customer base with quality and prompt delivery.
How has technology and the changes in technology, helped or hindered ColorEnlargement.com?
Technology today offers the opportunity to produce the most favorable quality products. We use state-of-the-art HP printers for all prints. This technology affords us the privilege to produces clean, sharp, and beautifully colorful prints.
Do you have a specific philosophy for ColorEnlargement?
Our philosophy and desire is to ship the best possible product as fast as possible. We have a motto that we try to stick to and that is “we do every order every day”, for the most part this has worked well for us. Rarely do we fall behind. In many cases we actually get the print in the mail the same day as it was ordered. Customers love the surprise of getting their package the day after they order. It doesn’t happen like this all of the time, it depends on where they live and the mail…oh the mail, that’s another story.
Have you always been a photographer/artist? Which came first? Business to Photos or visa versa?
I have been into art and photography since high school, but it was my experience working for large companies that afforded the opportunity to learn the business aspect of we now do at ColorEnlargement.com. We have 24 years experience with Photoshop which enables us to delight our customers. That being said; I never really experience real photography until I started taking pictures for GodLovesKids.com. This is where I really discovered the talent to God has given me.
Tell us a what inspires you.
People that love God and serve others inspire me.
Do you have any tips for persons starting their own business?
Well, if I have any advice in this regard, it would be that the new business owner without fail make their customers happy by producing the best quality product. A good reputation will follow. Never lie to a customer, they will know and will never be able to fully trust you again, your word is your bond and they understand that anyone can make a mistake, just admit that we made a mistake…then fix that mistake. Never let a customer go away angry, you won’t just lose that customer, you’ll lose them and all their friends. Also, don’t make shipping a profit center, customers are very saavy when it comes to shipping and know when they are being over charged, it’s rude and comes off as a gouge. If you really need the extra $2 or $3 just add it to the cost of the product then the customer knows what they are really paying for it. Finally, be passionate about the product and service you offer. -blessings, Bill Wegener
