Customer Spotlight: Tin Roof Relics
Posted by Bob Cochran on 2nd Oct 2024
Welcome to our Customer Spotlight!
This is a new segment we're starting where we showcase the vibrant businesses within our community. Each week, we feature a remarkable business, sharing their journey, challenges, and triumphs.
Today we are featuring Tin Roof Relics, a laser engraving business based in Tennessee!
Here's what Bob Cochran from Tin Roof Relics has to share with us about his business:
How long have you been in business, and what has your journey been like so far? 1 ½ yrs and still evolving with each month.
Could you tell us about your business, and what motivated you to get started with it?
Well it has changed from my original plan. After a very bad divorce I needed an extra income to help keep me afloat. It started with antique booths and that lasted 4 years until my whole house was consumed with used furniture. Nearing retirement I had to do something else not so labor intensive and didn’t take up so much space. Saw a video on laser engraving and found out everything I could about it. So that is what I have been doing for the last 1 ½ years.
What motto does your business live by?
To build a great product that can be handed down and loved for many generations and at a good price.
Well it has changed from my original plan. After a very bad divorce I needed an extra income to help keep me afloat. It started with antique booths and that lasted 4 years until my whole house was consumed with used furniture. Nearing retirement I had to do something else not so labor intensive and didn’t take up so much space. Saw a video on laser engraving and found out everything I could about it. So that is what I have been doing for the last 1 ½ years.
What motto does your business live by?
To build a great product that can be handed down and loved for many generations and at a good price.
Do you have any tips to offer when it comes to customizing hats?
Use a quality adhesive so there are no call back or re-makes
Which BuckWholesale hats are your favorite to work with, and why?
The hats with buckles on the back seem to be preferred most models 5083,5269 ,5270,5355,5223,4921,5209, and 21682 but the 5083 is my best seller
What have been your biggest challenges both getting started, and as your business has grown?
Time management is the biggest. Even though I am retired I find myself working 12-16 hrs. a day sometimes to meet the orders and prepping for festivals. And constantly change booth setup to streamline the process.
What are the greatest changes you've seen over the years?
Eliminating things I don’t want to sell- tried to do it all at first and hats are 75% of my sales so stick with what sells the most.
Could you share with us your favorite things about being in this industry?
That even though there are other lase makers at festivals no 2 hardly sell the same stuff. And I have a core group of friends that I met at a laser conference one year ago and they are the sweetest, most encouraging people you would ever meet. Always willing to help with no completion envy or secrecy.
How do you build and maintain relationships with your customers?
By standing behind my hats and patches if they fail I replace them. If I screw up I fix it on my dime.
What strategies have you found most effective for growing your business?
By asking questions. What do you want in a hat? What kind of sayings do you like best? What would you like to see more of? Those types of questions have helped shape how they are able to purchase their own personalized hats.
What are future goals and aspirations for your business?
Working on that now I have brought a travel laser and working on engraving on the spot a customer’s own design right there. But looking for a reliable helper right now (hard to find) also toning down on festivals to do more B2B work.
What accomplishments are you the most proud of?
To be able to go from absolutely no knowledge of laser engraving to be very proficient in only 1.5 yrs. and still learning every day. From a small table on my first festivals to a 10x20 tent with truck and trailer in tow. And a best group of laser friends a guy could have.
