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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-07-24, Page 5IT'S YOUR R1JS[NFSS Times -Advocate, July 24, 1991 Page 5 Pennywise Promotions a lucrative small business By Ray Lewis GRAND BEND - Just name it, and they've got it. If not,they can get it. It doesn't matter if it's a $10,000 gold Parker pen and pen- cil set or an 88 cent key chain, Pen- nywise Promotions can set you up with the custom imprinted special- ty of your choice. Pennywise is a small town busi- ness which deals with big city cor- porations. Owned by Tim and Jen Steele, the advertising specialty company serves most of Ontario from its headquarters in Grand Bend. The Steeles purchased the company last year, from Tim's mother Jan who still has a hand in the business. "I had already been retired sever- al times," said Jan. "I put an ad in the Times -Advocate in 1984 for a retired executive position, part- time." Pennywise had originally been started by Mona Rose and another partner. She hired Jan to handle sales and after six months sold her the business. She still handles most of the company's sales, while Jen now takes care of the burden of books, ordering, shipping and eve- ry other general office duty. Mys- teriously, the two women seem happier than ever, and the compa- ny has turned into a unique part- nership. "All of the things I dislike doing, she finds great," said Jen. "I like the pressures of the company, whereas Jan doesn't." The company has expert graphic Hot items - Jen Steele of Pennywise Promotions in Grand Bend, displays some of the products which are available for printing. The list is virtually endless. artists on call and, because of their small size, has a very low overhead which enables them to give the best price break. Both women agree that while larger businesses have been hit hard during the recession, because they are small they have been fortunate. But their size doesn't mean that they can't handle large orders. In fact, most of their business comes from large Toronto corporations who are happy with price, service and quality. It's not uncommon for Pennywise to be dealing with ship- ments where 10,000 pieces of a cer- tain commodity are involved. And by no means are they limited to keychains and hats, as most be- lieve. Anything from coasters to water bottles, fine leather goods such as brief cases and a host of sporting goods is available. The list is endless. After deciding what is wanted Jen works out an order, on the com- puter she has added to the business, along with the artwork and sends it by courier to the appropriate suppli- er. Normal waiting time is four weeks but some suppliers are better than others. Customers are not al- ways sure what they want, but if they can tell Jan and Jen what they want it for, they can usually come up with something. "We seem to have the technolo- gy," laughs Jan, as she points to several large filing cabinets full of ideas and resources. When you come up with the right. product, it's very gratifying." When dealing with small items, orders have a high minimum pur- chase number. In some cats this disuades buyers but in cases such as home shows or fairs, a group of businesses could buy as a co-op and for a minimum charge have their portion of the order altered to suit their needs. Time is probably the business' major factor, with customers al- ways needing the product yester- day. Businesses are not the only ones who make use of Pennywise either. Service and sports clubs are common customers, although sometimes unpredictable. For ex- ample, many times a team becomes much more successful over a sea- son than was foreseen, and just making the playoffs can suddenly produce a demand for memorabilia. Weddings and anniversaries also bring clients, searching for items such as personalized wine glasses as tokens for the appropriate occa- sion. Many Christmas lists have also been filled by Jan and Jen. According to Statistics Canada, something a customer can hold in their hand is the best advertising. And good low cost advertising is the best, by Jan's standards. "An inexpensive pen travels," she laughs. "An expensive one doesn't." Complete seminars - The Huron County Industrial Training Advisory Committee recently sponsored a Community Business Initiative Pro- gram. Among those taking the 10-3 hour seminars were front, left: Liz Scott, Lucan; Mar) Payne, Bayfield; Bonnie Roy, Vama. Back, left; Allan Scott, Lucan; Mark Scott, Lucan; Pete Payne, Bayfield; Dave Roy, Vama; Carol Ann Keys, Exeter. Absent: Bob Stoat, Exet- er; Mike Cronyn, Huron Park. The program was co-ordinated by the Federal Business Development Bank. Keep Monday, August 5th Open and join us for lunch and lots of fun rnnnniun TIRE . ',_ Child Find - Members of the Ontario Chapter of Child Find were busy•at Darling's Food Market during the sidewalk sale, raising money for the program. The chapter operates on a local level, ad- dressing community needs in the areas of public awareness and abduction prevention. Volunteer Lisa Taylor (left) does her part, selling a hot dog to Becky Beldon: Vacation passports TORONTO - The Ministry of profit association of Ontario aurae - Tourism and Recreation, in cooper- ation with Attractions Ontario and Coca-Cola Ltd., is helping vaca- tioners to maximize their summer enjoyment with the Official Ontario Passport to an Incredible Summer. Ontario Minister of Tourism and Recreation Peter North announced that the 1991 discount coupon booklets are now available. Until Thanksgiving, passport holders can take advantage of the. many savings offered in the book- let. The coupons offer discounts on the general admission fees for more than 66 attractions across the prov- ince, including offers such as "buy one get one free." "Vacationers have •an added rea- son to enjoy Ontario this summer," North said. "This passport will open the door for visitors to enjoy 66 unique attractions." Copies of the Official Ontario Passport to an Incredible Summer are available at any of the prov- ince's Travel Information Centres, or by calling the province's toll-free travel information line at 1 -800 - ONTARIO or 965-4008 in Toron- to. Attractions Ontario is a non - New hotline for health cards TORONTO - The Ministry of Health has set up a 1 -800 -phone number to answer questions about the new Health Card that has re- placed the OHIP number. For information on the Health Card, call 1-800-268-1154 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Fri- day. Questions about lost cards, new cards, turning 65, and travel- ling and obtaining treatment outside Ontario can also be answered. The information lines provide ser- vice in English, French and seven additional languages. As of July 1, patients need the new card to show eligibility for On- tario health care benefits, and pro- viders can no longer bill for servic- es under the old OHIP number. This deadline ended a six-month transi- tion period that allowed providers and residents time to switch over to the new Health Cards. More than 98 percent (9.7 mil- lion) of eligible Ontarians now have their cards and about another 95,000 applicants have been ap- proved and will be getting their cards shortly. Ontario residents who do not have a Health Card should obtain a form called "Registration for On- tario Health Coverage" from their local ministry office or phone 1- 800-268-1154. Physicians' offices may also have a limited supply of registration forms. It will take six to eight weeks for eligibility to be verified and the card delivered. A special form allows the doc- tor, hospital or other health care provider to collect the necessary information to bili the ministry for the service provided. The patient fills out the second part of the form and sends it to the ministry to apply for a card. The ministry is sending a notice to doctors and other health care providers that it is inappropriate to deny access or assess charges for treatment to eligible residents who do not yet have a health number. The process initiated by the minis- try guarantees payment to health care providers. OVER $60,000 IN YOUR RRSP AND WORRIED? To transfer your RRSP or RRIF call Mark J. McUwaln Account Representative Metropolitan Life 37 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (519) 235-1344 Metropolitan Lite sold its first policy in Canada in 1872. For almost 120 years, we have been committed to providing you - our customer: with the financial security and peace of mind you need. Our financial stability and solid tradi- tion of trust are only two of the rea- sons why the world's premier credit rating companies - Standard and Poors, A.M. 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