Rising Stars: Meet Scott Marzano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Marzano.

Hi Scott, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In March of 2020 when COVID forced businesses to shut down, I was one of the many who was furloughed for an extended period of time. I remember returning home from my vacation and anticipating going to work Monday morning. Monday I clocked in, and by noon that day, the doors to my work were closed until the middle of June. I knew that money would soon be tight seeing that there was no definite answer as to when we’d return to work. We were told a week, then a month, and eventually that turned into about 90 days. My girlfriend and I decided to have a garage sale to help build up some funds while we waited this out.

While going through some old things, I re-discovered a box of pocket sized NFL helmets. I remember reminiscing about these and recalling my dad telling me as a child to “hold onto these, put them in a box and never take them out of their original packaging because they may be worth something one day”. Sure enough, nearly 20 years later, these helmets were worth $350 as a collection containing all 32 teams. I posted the collection for sale in a sports memorabilia Facebook group and traded them for an autographed Shaun Alexander helmet and jersey combo. That’s where the gears started to turn. I did some research on autographed jerseys and saw that if they’re framed that can go anywhere from $400 and up.

The original idea was to get the jersey framed at Michaels and sell it from there to double my profit. Well… Michaels wanted $500 to frame alone and at that point, there would be no money to be made. I thought to myself there has to be a better way. That day I spent hours searching how to frame it myself and what the costs would be. I discovered countless Youtube videos and eventually found a company that had all the supplies I needed to make this legit. The Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks jersey was the first frame I ever did however it wasn’t what started gaining others’ interest in my product.

Being a Cleveland Browns fan has its perks in the sports memorabilia world. At this time autographed Browns jerseys were dirt cheap. I needed more in my “portfolio” to show for my credibility. I bought 6 autographed Browns jerseys from both current and retired players.

Using my original frame, I switched the Seattle color-way matboard for the traditional Brown and Orange. I took each jersey and re-framed it until I had a picture of each Browns jersey framed. I started an Instagram page for my framing and posted the now 7 “completed frames”. Following that, I would periodically post the framing service itself on the Facebook Marketplace with those pictures for credibility. Within 3 weeks I had dozens of people messaging me for quotes on frames to display their autographed memorabilia and since then, business has not slowed down.

Doing these frames was a blessing in disguise. It helped me stay afloat during the months I was furloughed, but more importantly, it gave me the opportunity to pursue the career choice I’ve always wanted. My framing service became such a hit that it paid for me to go to Emt school and eventually paramedic school. Fast forward to present day, and here we are. As of 12/21/21, I will be graduating from the Paramedic program through University Hospitals Parma Medical Center and currently am employed by the Broadview Heights Fire Department. I am beyond grateful for what came of a simple trade just a year ago. It truly is amazing where something so simple can take you if you put your mind to it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth. About 6 months ago there was a national supply shortage that affected my framing service. My 2-week turnaround became a 4-5 week turnaround. Certain colors for the mat boards were not available either so I had to work with what I had available that still correlated to the colorway of the jersey. That was the roughest patch, however, once supplies became abundant again, things went back to being smooth as can be.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Aside from framing, I operate as an EMT for the Broadview Heights Fire Department and for a private ambulance company, Physicians Ambulance. In late December 2021, I will be graduating from University Hospital’s paramedic program. Outside of work I am a Chapter Advisor for Beta Theta Pi, the fraternity I was a part of during college. I am most proud of my Bachelor’s Degree. I graduated from John Carroll University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Business. I have a passion for both fields of study and utilize both regularly whether it being from a medical perspective when dealing with patients or from a business perspective when selling frames. What sets me apart from others is my determination to excel in whatever challenge I may be faced with. I love a good challenge because with every obstacle I may face, there will always be a lesson to learn from it to carry onto the next opportunity.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can support me by simply referring my work to others. I am a big proponent on networking because that is how businesses succeed, especially small businesses. Something as little as sharing one of my posts, or tagging me in a frame I completed for you on social media can go a long way.

Pricing:

• Base price $275 (includes felt backing, double mat board, 2 vertical 8×10 pictures)
• Additional pictures and logo patch are an additional $10-20+
• Multiple frames are discounted based on quantity
• Free Delivery within 50 miles from Cleveland. Shipping is calculated based on location

Contact Info:

• Email: marzano.scott@gmail.com
• Instagram: @scotts_framing_and_design