REFLECTION:

I am beyond excited to share the journey of my first month as the owner of Instant Imprints, South Houston. This new chapter in my life is full of excitement and challenges, and I figured it would be the perfect topic for today’s blog to document our progress and share this wonderful experience with you all. (Image Cred: @Greenlightproductions Mimi and Ralph Askar, CEO Instant Imprints)

A Fresh Start
The store has undergone a refreshing makeover with new flooring, window designs, and a reorganized production area. Our team at Instant Imprints South Houston is truly a family affair. Alongside myself, Mimi, we have David Chimenti, the former owner and corporate area developer; Andrea Chimenti, David’s daughter, serving as our production manager; and Jeremiah Askew, my youngest son and US Navy Veteran, has joined us as our production assistant.

Jeremiah and I graduated from Instant Imprints University in May, preparing us for this exciting venture. After training in the store with David for five months, I officially took over ownership on June 1, 2024. To mark this significant milestone, we hosted our grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 4, 2024. The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce declared this memorable day as Instant Imprints Day in Houston.

Community and Customer Relationships
In just our first month, we have gained over 100 new customers and received continued support and praise from our long-term customers. Our primary mission is to make branding more manageable for everyone, and to achieve this for our branding needs, we’ve launched an extensive marketing campaign. You can find us on various platforms:
– Instant Imprints, South Houston
– LinkedIn
– Instagram
– TikTok
– Facebook:
– YouTube
– Nextdoor App
– Google Business Profile
– Yelp
– Patch
– Flicker
– Instant Imprints Blog
– Etsy/Shopify Coming Soon

To expand our reach further, we have partnered with the owners of the Sugar Land store, enhancing our visibility and ability to serve the greater Houston community. Additionally, we launched an Instant Imprints ambassador program to encourage people like you to talk about and refer our services with some financial compensation for their efforts.

Networking and Associations
We have joined several associations to expand our networking and continued education opportunities, including:
– Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston
– Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
– Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
– Black Women Owned
– Women’s Council of Entrepreneurs
– Partner to Empower
– The Worldwide Women’s Association

I’m in the process of obtaining my City of Houston certification as a Minority- and/or Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), which is another exciting step for us!

We are also on the approved vendor list for the University of Houston, Houston ISD, Clear Creek ISD, and Pasadena ISD.

Challenges
Of course, starting a new business comes with its challenges. The main one has been time management between business and family. Learning about the Instant Imprints franchise and its systems, processes, and standards can be overwhelming. Overseeing the business’s day-to-day operations has been manageable, but I’m still learning as we go. Making time for me and my family has become a priority.

The opportunity to serve our growing customer base has been incredibly rewarding, but one particular challenge has been on my mind.

As a small and emerging business, we have had to navigate the hurdle of attracting the trust of large companies to entrust us with their valuable brands. While I am confident in our capabilities to deliver exceptional services tailored to their needs, I understand the hesitation that can come from partnering with a small family-run business like mine.

Despite this challenge, I am confident that Instant Imprints has the dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence necessary to meet the needs of these organizations. Every day, we strive to demonstrate our unwavering dedication to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, attributes that transcend the size of our company.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to all our new and returning customers for your support and trust in Instant Imprints. The journey ahead is bright, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.
~Mimi Wright, Owner, Instant Imprints South Houston~