Jerry Gonto, founder of MartiniArt.com, talks about how he made his business dream a reality, where he’s focusing his efforts and why he’s seen such success.
(source: martiniart.com)
Jerry’s story showcases an opportunity he identified to diversify his business offerings and substantially increase his revenue, all while staying true to his core business goals.
What is MartiniArt.com?
Martiniart.com is an online retailer focused on bringing the absolute best and most unique martini glasses, cocktail shakers, barware, recipes and martini related art and gifts to the world.
We’ve grown MartiniArt.com into the largest, most visited online resource for everything martini related by pursuing a consistent vision – a vision with a fun, creative goal.
What made you decide to bring your dream into a reality?
After years of owning and operating a brick and mortar retail store in Illinois – and many years of retail experience, we added a few martini related items that really gained attention and took off in driving sales. We launched a website devoted specifically to the martini related items that we carried at the time.
As things changed and evolved, we decided that we would retain our martini related ecommerce site and close the brick and mortar business. We envisioned more growth and selling opportunity online – coupled with the ability to more quickly respond and react to the changing needs of catering to our customers than we could in a more traditional retailing environment.
Why did you decide to continue to stay in a niche and not expand your products on MartiniArt.com?
During challenging times, retailers and other businesses might feel compelled and pressured to veer from their core…essentially, what they know best. Believe me, we were tempted to add diversity and dilute our business concept, but decided to stay the course and do what we do best!
Nobody does martini related products like we do, and we came to the realization that if we were going to weather this economy, we’d do it by being the best at what we are best at! That decision has paid off.
What new businesses have you created as a result of running MartiniArt.com?
MartiniArt.com was built from the ground up, by us, with few resources. We learned as we went. The most critical piece was simply – how the heck to build a website, and how to get it “online.” I embraced the challenge, and bit off only as much as I could handle to start.
What started with a piece of inexpensive software, lots of reading and many mistakes has grown into another dimension of our business. A dimension based upon our years of ecommerce retail experience and success in search engine optimization.
Aside from MartiniArt.com we operate a web development studio (ThinqDesign.com) that caters to clients both big and small. Our experience and success in ecommerce has proven invaluable in gaining clients that understand we have a proven record of success and a hands-on approach to retailing on the web. We offer web design, business consulting and a full spectrum of services related to doing business on the internet.
What did it take to get these new businesses started?
MartiniArt.com started with an inexpensive piece of software, tons of drive and a burning desire to create something fun and unique.
What it took to add a new dimension to our business by offering web development, design and ecommerce consultation was some creative posturing to build on what we do best – and a willingness to help others achieve the same success. We were also very specific about not diminishing the resources and focus on MartiniArt.com
More specifically, after years of ecommerce experience, I returned to school – earning a degree in web development. Years of ecommerce experience, coupled with education and tons of real world retail experience made for a smooth path to adding this extension to our business.
We have always believed that working hard and staying focused on our core business principles would see us through, and they have…whether at ThinqDesign or MartiniArt.com
What percent of your revenue can you attribute to these new businesses?
Adding web design/development services & ecommerce consulting to our core business at MartiniArt.com has added additional 40% revenue to the bottom line. Consulting with others who desire to build web based businesses allows us to network and teach others – but it also allows us to learn and evolve.
What advice do you have for other small businesses during a recession?
That is a big question to respond to! Here is our list of bits of advice for any small business during these troubled economic times:
- Don’t expect miracles. Launching an online business does not mean that the world will come knocking on your door. If you stick to the focus of your business, work like mad and take advantage of every opportunity to refine and grow the concept – you will likely see a business bloom.
- Look before you leap! Think long and hard before venturing down a road you are unfamiliar with. Spend time researching before following a new path.
- Don’t be afraid to examine new areas and opportunities. Do your due diligence before committing, but examine new business opportunities.
- Expand and get creative with what you know. Find ways to freshen up and expand on what you have already mastered.
- Realize that there are good times ahead. Keep in mind that tough times don’t last – but business that are clearly focused, frugal and innovative do…and prosper!
If you would like to contact Jerry Gonto or add him to your professional network, please go to: http://www.mysolutionspot.com/MartiniGuy/
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