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!

How long have you been a shopkeeper?

Since May, 2005

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

I own 2 premium shops: http://www.cafepress.com/wackywade (wackywade.com) and http://www.cafepress.com/grilledtees (currently in process)

Why were you inspired to run for CafePressVoice?

I am dedicated to my shop and to Cafepress. I have had many ideas that I have shared with the CP team….I thought it would be even better to be behind the scenes and contribute so some amazing new projects. I wanted to run last year, but didn’t have the time to give it my 100%. I am now in a great place to make this my top priority. CafePress and this community has been so supportive…

I want to give back and help in any way I can.

What do you feel the CafePressVoice program is all about?

Listening to the CP community to communicate their wants and needs to the CP team. Being a leader who will not just come up with ideas, but will work hard to implement those ideas while working with others. To make CafePress the best it possibly can be!

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

I have been a SK’er for over 3 years and have been though almost ever situation a shopkeeper can go though. I have been a top shopkeeper for almsot all of those 3+ years, I have a backround in Sales and Marketing and I own my own web development firm, so I have many ideas for shop management and merchandise. I am a leader who listens and will work hard to get things done. I am 100% with everything I do in my life and would give this all of myself.

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

I didn’t sign up for this just for the fun of it….I know that it’s a huge dedication of time and I’m willing to put everything I have into it…including my time.

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

I have been on committees my whole life….I was class president and student government president in college and sat on every committee. For my job I am a corporate Sales Manager and sit on a number of committees at my company and well as project manage multiple projects. I also took the lead for a CafePress group of over 30 shopkeepers that were involved in a legal matter.

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

I think the best way of doing that is through the boards and through the chats. I would like to continue to meet more shopkeepers through the message boards and at meet and greats. I will also make myself accessible to everyone by e-mail or even by phone if SK’ers have questions or concerns.

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- Image controls and the exploration of CP widgets

Merchandise- Maybe polling users on what they would like to see and better communication to SK’ers on why certain products are on hold or can’t be done.

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

expanded merchandise, more tools for SK’ers (widgets, templates…etc), shop management issues like making images easier

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

Communication, Ease of use with shop management, and promotion of themselves and their SK’ers

Name three things that the competitors do better than CafePress.

I have tried them all and CafePress is by far the best! The only thing I constantly hear is the need for expanded merchandise and cheaper base prices.

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

Black sweatshirts

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

I can go on for pages about why I want this and what I will do….but I will tell you, If I am elected into CPVoice, I will be dedicated, I will listen and I will lead. I thank you all for reading this and considering me to represent you. I will not let you down!

There are some great candidates this year and great, supportive current CPVoice members…thank you for all of your work last year!

No matter who you vote for, please vote and spread the word. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime with any questions: wackywades@aol.com

Be original, get wacky!

Wade Holdraker

WackyWade

WackyWade.com

ShopID: All For His Love

How long have you been a shopkeeper?

I have been a Shop Keeper since March 2007, but I have been a CP member since August 2006 and had only been purchasing my own things!

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

(Premium Shop Listed)

Why were you inspired to run for CafePressVoice?

I was inspired to run for CafePress Voice because I’d love to chat and meet other SKs as well as make CP a better place. I’d also like to see some new products that I get a lot of requests for and I know how well represented the CPV team is!

What do you feel the CafePressVoice program is all about?

I feel that the CafePressVoice program is about listening to everyone, taking their requests and opinions into consideration and then acting upon them to make CP a better place.

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

Some qualifications I feel that I have that would make me an effective CPV member are my Graphic Design background (both self taught and formal classroom teaching) as well as my eye for design and creativity. Also, I am a good listener and team player, but I can be a leader when necessary!

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

I’m willing to devote at least 4 hours per day (28 hours give or take per week) to the CPV responsibilities. I would say that I am addicted to my laptop as well as my cell phone, both of which I can do anything to assist the CPV team.

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

In high school, over my four years, I was secretary, treasure and president of my Student Government.

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

If elected, my ways of communication are limitless. I have many instant messanger programs as well as email directly sent to my phone. Also, I will make a page on my store to keep other SKs informed of things that are allowed to be released to them. If necessary, I can also have phone conversations with other CPV members.

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

If elected, the number one thing in the following comittees that I would like to see implemented or changed are:

Shop Management- Possible bulk uploader and better/easier organization of the Media Basket

Merchandise- I’d like to see new, more “updated” products as well as additional colors in existing products.

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) Bulk uploader of some kind implemented and integrated into the site
2) Larger array of colors and updated merchandise
3) An “intermediate” board and information for the SKs who aren’t newbies or super advanced, those in the middle

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

1) Quality and quality control – customer service and the way it’s represented.
2) The fact that they give us “templates” to use for products, others are guess and test.
3) Explination and ease of navigation and use of shops and products

Name three things that the competitors do better than CafePress.

1) Better selection of products
2) Upload method
3) Models used and the oprion to select which ones used to represent products

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

One new product that I would like to see CP introduce is an intimate – BoyShorts!

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

I feel being as young as I am, I am better able to represent the “younger” demographic! Being in college, I’m able to understand what college, high school and even middle school aged students would like to see!

How long have you been a shopkeeper?

For about a year now but I had stores for about four years before that.

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

I have a basic shop but will be getting a premium shop this fall.

Why were you inspired to run for CafePressVoice?

I am a small business person and I see a great opportunity for small business people to get advertising items for their business where they need one t-shirt or a dozen.

What do you feel the CafePressVoice program is all about?

I think it’s a great why for people to learn how to improve their stores, ask and connect with other shop owners and to also let off steam with things they aren’t happy with.

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

I have a insight into people and what they want even if they don’t say what they want right out but him and haw about it.

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

I am handicapped and get outside once a month to grocery store and a few other times so being at home a lot I can spend quite a bit of time here.

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

None I’m afraid.

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

Besides the forums I will put an email address out there for shop owners to contact me with their problems.

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- The premium shops need new templates and the templates you download to size images can be confusing. I hope to be able to get the powers that be to update both areas.

Merchandise- Boy, do we need new items. Being in a wheelchair I use messenger bags, they fit over my head and sit in my lap well but the one we have. Well the colors a turn off for me. I would like them in a white or khaki. It would go with more of my clothes and look great with my logo on it. More tote bags in more colors and a fanny pack would be great. Watches wouldn’t be bad either.

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

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

It’s easier to use and order from, it’s truly interested in the shop keepers, the prices are decent

Name three things that the competitors do better than CafePress.

They have more products, like different styles of tote bags, that’s all I can think of.

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

Different color messenger bags.

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