Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Crespo.
Hi Carlos, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began the journey Of Picture This Personalized GIfts & Engaving in 2018 with humble beginnings. Starting as a small 4ft x 8ft kiosk in Southpark Mall, equipped with just a mug press, t-shirt press, and wood photo plaques, the business ironically set up shop directly opposite a national franchise, Things Remembered. Despite the David-and-Goliath setup, the initial three-month seasonal lease proved a resounding success, offering on-the-spot personalization. This positive response led to an extended opportunity catering to the Girl Scouts Annual Lock-in, prompting the introduction of new, relevant products. Recognizing the dominance of Things Remembered in the retail engraving market, the owner strategically moved to a larger 1,100 sq ft inline store within the same mall. By studying their competitor’s offerings and identifying gaps, Picture This began to carve out its own niche, investing in laser engraving to create unique, in-house products with a rapid, same-day turnaround. Navigating the challenges of the pandemic by pivoting to personalized face masks, the business leveraged social media to maintain visibility. After about two and a half years of growth, the business moved to a new, larger 2,200 sq ft location, which provided the space needed to establish and produce Cleveland Souvenirs in-house, eliminating the need for bulk ordering. The previous 1,100 sq ft location then became the dedicated Cleveland Souvenirs & Gifts store. It was after approximately two and a half years in this 2,200 sq ft space that Things Remembered shuttered their doors nationwide in January of 2023. Subsequently, Picture This consolidated into an even larger, 6,700 sq ft space. Capitalizing on our competitor’s nationwide closure, Picture This acquired a few engraving machines and remaining inventory, solidifying its position as the largest personalized gift store in the country, offering over 2,500 customizable items with a wide array of personalization techniques, from laser and metal engraving to sublimation, DTF, UV printing, and embossing. Their unique approach involves live design consultation and on-the-spot personalization for customer approval. While our website is currently under construction, customers can conveniently place orders by phone (440-638-4226), text (440-732-2270), or email picturethis520@gmail.com.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our unique approach involves live design consultation and on-the-spot personalization for customer approval. While the journey hasn’t always been smooth, the initial challenge lay in the necessity of purchasing many personalizable items in bulk, which presented inventory management hurdles. Furthermore, the equipment required for expansion, particularly laser engraving, represented a significant early investment. The learning curve was steep, demanding extensive self-education across diverse areas like laser technology, material properties, design principles, machine settings, and various printing processes. Compounding these challenges was the absence of a direct business model to follow, especially with the unique niche Picture This occupies post-Things Remembered. Understanding customer demand patterns for different occasions required firsthand learning and adaptation, highlighting the need for industry-specific knowledge and the lack of a dedicated business mentor in the early stages. While our website is currently under construction, customers can conveniently place orders by phone (440-638-4226), text (440-732-2270), or email.
We’ve been impressed with Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving, we’re all about turning ordinary items into extraordinary, one-of-a-kind gifts. We offer a wide range of products that can be personalized to perfectly suit any occasion or recipient.
On the product side, you can think of us as a treasure trove of blank canvases just waiting for your personal touch. We have everything from everyday essentials like mugs, water bottles, t-shirts, and phone cases, to more decorative items like wood plaques, picture frames, ornaments, and canvas prints. We also carry a variety of accessories such as keychains, jewelry, and pop sockets, as well as a special selection of Cleveland souvenirs.
Our services are where the real magic happens! We utilize a variety of state-of-the-art personalization techniques to bring your ideas to life. This includes laser engraving for a detailed and permanent etching on materials like wood, metal, and glass. We offer metal engraving for a classic touch on jewelry and awards. Sublimation allows us to create vibrant, full-color designs on compatible items like mugs and certain fabrics. With DTF (Direct to Film) printing, we can apply colorful and durable graphics to apparel. Our UV printing delivers vibrant and long-lasting designs on a wide array of surfaces. And for a tactile and elegant effect, we also offer embossing.
What truly sets us apart is our personalized service. We don’t just take your order; we work with you! We offer live design consultations, where you can collaborate with our team to create the perfect design for your chosen product. You’ll get to see how it will look before we finalize anything, ensuring you’re completely satisfied with the result. We pride ourselves on our fast turnaround and our ability to help customers find the perfect personalized gift, even for those last-minute needs. Whether you have a clear vision or need a little inspiration, we’re here to guide you through the process and create a cherished keepsake.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What brings me the most satisfaction is the collaborative journey we take with our customers. From the moment someone walks in, sometimes without a clear idea of what they need, to the point where they leave feeling confident about the personalized gift we’ve jointly designed, is incredibly rewarding. We understand that selecting and personalizing a meaningful gift isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we emphasize working together to create something truly special. Hearing that we’ve been able to come through, even at the last minute, with a wonderful personalized gift that the recipient will cherish, makes all the effort worthwhile.
Pricing:
- Prices Vary from $9.99 -$2,000
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picturethis.personalized/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/picturethispersonalizedgiftsandengraving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo0D85M3Pg0p0qjP7hSzWvQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/picture-this-personalized-gifts-engraving-things-remembered-strongsville?osq=Picture+This+Personalized+Gifts+Engraving+Things+Remembered&override_cta=Get+pricing+%26+availability
