ShopID: wormtowntees

How long have you been a shopkeeper?

I have been a shopkeeper since January of 2006

If you listed a basic shop or did not list a shop in your bio, do you own a premium shop?

I do not own a premium shop, I have 22 basic shops I believe. I honestly need to set some time apart at some point and create a premium shop, but I’ve heard being someone with just basic shops might be an asset, to get that POV.

Why were you inspired to run for CafePressVoice?

Honestly, I saw the email and thought this would be a great opportunity to lend a voice to something I enjoy doing, and possibly be able to help and meet others who enjoy the same.

What do you feel the CafePressVoice program is all about?

I think it is a place where we can get together and put all our ideas in the proverbial hat and try to make some concrete things come of them.

What do you feel are your qualifications that would make you an effective CPV member?.

I am a graphic designer by trade, a student at night and a photographer in whatever free time is left. I honestly feel that I can bring a couple different aspect to the table in regard to design, setting up shop, marketing and would also enjoy learning from others to see how they do things as well.

How much time are you willing to devote to CafePressVoice responsibilities on a weekly basis?

Honestly, I work during the day and go to school two nights a week, other than that I am home and usually available. I check my email all day long, and my job actually allows me to have different things running in the background without getting me in trouble. I can pretty much be contacted via email at any time, and as long as I am not in class, I can participate in chat sessions.

What, if any, previous experience do you have working in a “committee” setting?

I was part of a committee in Massachusetts that discussed the structure for teaching students graphic design in the classroom to prepare them for a job in this field in the future. I also sat on a few committees in highschool, but I don’t want to say how long ago that was!

If elected, how do you plan to communicate with shopkeepers in order to understand their concerns and keep shopkeepers informed?

If elected I am always available via email, fax and instant messenger. I have IM on my phone and computer and its always one on or the other. If home I am available via phone and fax. I am also willing to set up times where I can be available in specific chat rooms to have a live chat with a few shopkeepers at once.

If you are elected, what is the number one thing that you would like to see implemented or changed concerning each committee’s mission:

Shop Management- Make it easier to upload designs, right now a very tedious process. Maybe tweak some of the issues regarding putting images on the back, and be able to select a standard size for images, and have it follow that standard throughout all merchandise.

Merchandise- Additional colors, different types/quantities of products. Possibly different possibilities for tshirt, such as printing that could wrap around from the front to the back of the shirt.

Name the top three things that you would like to see changed at CafePress.

Top three things I’d like to see changed at CP:
1) Change the way things are uploaded, make it more user friendly
2) Make more shopkeepers aware of the forums, maybe have a shopkeeper meet/greet online
3) Larger selection of colors and products

Name three things that you think CafePress does better than its competitors.

1) Ease of use, it is very easy to get on here, get a shop going and sell your stuff!
2) Great customer support team, every time I have emailed or had an issue, I’ve spoken with someone and gotten it taken care of
3) Great exposure

Name three things that the competitors do better than CafePress.

I haven’t really looked at using a competitor to sell things, so I did some research and came up with this:
1) More products, more business oriented products
2) instead of straight printing/availability to have embroidered
3) smaller quantity to get a bulk discount

If you could pick one new product, what would it be?

Build your own wedding invitations/stationary sets complete with matching envelopes.
I was trying to do this a month ago, and realized that other than standard greeting cards, cafepress doesn’t offer this. We shopkeepers could probably make a killing doing Wedding invite packages.
Wedding Invitation, Reception Card, Reply Card, Reply Envelope, Invitation Envelope…all custom designed by you!

Knock our socks off- tell us anything else that you think is important about your campaign.

I feel like I’ve found my niche in this community and found my niche selling the products that I sell, I would like the opportunity to help others find their place here as well and to succeed in what they want to do!