Rolling out

I am feeling really swell now that I am rolling out new product to be included in an eventual product line. This new little ditty is :"a great addition to any Sundevil dorm, home or office and a great way for any Sundevil football fan to display their pictures from the tailgate/game." Go Devils! I have a couple additional designs in mind...however I am not sure whether to roll them all out now or spread out into small bites...hummmm.

Next on the list of to-dos.....oh yes, finish new website.... http://www.almamatermatsandframes.com/ I decided since I like to change up things frequently, it'd be best to take matters into my own hands and attempt to build a website. I am not quite sure what I am thinking because I can barely make a myspace page, but it will a fun learning process! Right?!

One thing that I definitely cannot slack on is figuring out how to pay the tax man ASAP. I have heard that's important.

After that, the principles of one of my favorite books, THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK, might have to come into play as I take off on a summer-long road trip. I am hoping to make it "a test in lifestyle design."

Alyson Heineman

ALMA MATER MATS & FRAMES

http://www.almamatermatsandframes.com/

Small successes

School's out for the summer! Congrats to the grads of 2008! It is crazy to me to think that that was me just last year.....for some reason it seems like FOREVER ago.

To catch up a bit.....

...I stopped back in to Campus Corner to visit the manager there and was informed the product (except for 2) SOLD OUT! Yaay!!! AND the ASU bookstore made a purchase order (which I again delivered by bus, it was not as comical the second time around) which they will place in their 3 bookstores. AND the ASU Cheer coach picked up a frame for her graduating cheerleader. AND I am in talks with a few online retailers to pick up the product also. They are baby steps in the big picture but nonetheless exciting! I am mostly pumped on the fact that the ASU bookstore picked it up so quickly because it's suppose to be pretty hard to break into as a new business/product. Thank You Denny!

Up to this point, I have reliezed my business plan needs to change slightly due to the cost and time it takes to go through the process of collegiate liciencing for each school. Tomorrow I am meeting with my possible new frame/mat guy to work on new designs for an eventual product line, including a mat and frame for the upcoming ASU football season!


P.S. If you google "ASU Home Decor" my frame is the very first thing that pops up! I did a little dance when I saw that!

Alyson Heineman
ALMA MATER MATS & FRAMES
http://www.universitynameframe.com/

1st Press Release!

This was my first press release! Thanks to the help of Katie Tracy of Kate and Lane Co. PR services :)

ALMA MATER MATS & FRAMES, LLC.

Alma Mater Mats & Frames, LLC., Opens for Business

A New Product, The University Name Frame™ makes the Perfect ASU Graduation Gift

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20th, 2008 -Scottsdale, AZ- Alyson Heineman, recent ASU alum turned entrepreneur and founder of Alma Mater Mat & Frames, a company specializing in the manufacturing of collegiate colored photo mats and frames for the collegiate market, announces the launch of their new product – The University Name Frame™.

The University Name Frame™ is a unique, new Alma Mater Mats & Frames product that allows students & Sundevil fans to display their photographs in 4" block-letter, maroon and yellow mat cut-outs, spelling A S U.

Alyson Heineman, CEO and founder of Alma Mater Mat & Frames, LLC., designed The University Name Frame™ shortly after graduating from Arizona State University in the spring of 2007. "While working at a local frame shop, I saw that we carried mat board in ASU's colors and I wanted a unique way to display my graduation pictures and pride in my alma mater," says Alyson. Initially launching at Arizona State University, Alma Mater Mats & Frames then plans on expanding to include frames for UNLV, USC, UCLA, and BYU.

The ASU Photo Frame is currently available at both Campus Corner locations, on Mill Ave & 5th St. and College & University and through http://www.universitynameframe.com/.

Alma Mater Mats and Frames, LLC was founded in January 2008. Alyson Heineman holds an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Business and Religion from Arizona State University. Alyson spent her last semester at an internship studying the combination of Business and Religious Studies with Buddhist Monks in Northeastern Thailand.

Press Contact:
Alyson Heineman, CEO
ALMA MATER MATS & FRAMES, LLC
602-319-2412
alyson.heineman@gmail.com
http://www.universitynameframe.com/

The Drop Off

So kinda funny story to add in.....

After putting together my first set of 12 mats and frames, (something I hope to outsource eventually) I needed to package it. I called around a bit to find that office max offers shrink wrapping and headed over to the closest one, next door in Chandler. It took me two trips to get there - as my sole means of transportation is a Kawasaki Ninja 250. I had to shove three frames in a messenger bag and three in an old backpack, it was pretty ridiculous but so am I, I suppose. So I get there, get all my frames all packaged up with pretty white cardboard corner covers and shrink wrap, buy a big cardboard box to hold the 12 of them, and head to the checkout with my pink motorcycle helmet under one arm. I explain to the clerk how excited I am because I am delivering my first purchase order that afternoon. "How are you are gonna strap that big box onto your bike?" she asks. I chuckle and reply that I will not be taking my bike, I will be riding on the public bus.

I lock my helmet to my motorcycle and continue to walk across the busy intersection in my heavily starched blue button-down shirt and khaki slacks, carrying the akwardly large box. The bus picks me up and 45 mins later I am dropped off directly in front of Campus Corner. Box in tow, I casually stroll of the bus and into the shop. I am so green.

Probably the highlight of that day was when the store manager, a cute college-aged female, who had never seen the product, opened up the box. In a high-pitch shriek she exclaimed, "That is soooo cute!" I love that reaction.

Alyson Heineman
ALMA MATER MATS & FRAMES
www.universitynameframe.com