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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Dan Rush Dan entered the remodeling industry in the 1980s, specializing in bath and kitchen work. After another decade of installing for big box stores and retail customers, he sold his business. Since 2001, he has worked as an independent contractor, focusing on cabinet installations and custom carpentry. Although he primarily works in the Chicago area from his base in Wheaton, Ill., he frequently travels throughout the U.S. for installations. Joshua Weir: I'm putting my resources back into my photographs. If they don't get to see me, hear me and shake my hand, and I don't get to look into their eyes with integrity, I'm at the mercy of what they stumble across. I want [what they see] to be my website and any images of my work that they might see. If someone approaches us, or if it's a project that we actually want to do, we'll send a flyer [to potential clients] each week with a photograph on it, and we'll talk about one of our five core values. And we keep that going. And when we finish with a project, we'll include it in this design manifesto [portfolio of project highlights] that showcases a few projects — it's basically a small press book. Dan Rush: It all comes back to wordof-mouth on our end. I'm trying to build up a custom shop. I'm getting older — I'm not really sure how many more installs I have left in me — so I am kind of looking forward to developing a portfolio like Josh was talking about. I'm probably going about it the wrong way — I'm sending my daughter to college for a photography degree, so hopefully that works out. Michael Williams: Maybe she' ll throw you some free photography and design work. Dan Rush: [Laughing] Yeah, college isn't free! Annette Mercado: I agree that photography makes a big difference. We upgrade our camera constantly. Facebook is awesome for letting people see your photos. We put the project on Facebook, and often our customers will tag themselves in the photos. Then it goes all over their page and more and more pictures get out there. People remember the picture. If you've taken a good picture, they remember it. If you take a crappy picture, they'll remember that, too. Dan Rush: Annette, I've wondered, what are the responsibilities on our end of taking pictures of a client's home or project? Do you need to get a written authorization or a release, or do you consider that your product so you can take pictures? Annette Mercado: I actually asked my lawyer about that. Here in California, I can say with confidence that on your project, when you take a picture, that's your picture. You can use it in your marketing however you want. Now, if your customer says, "I don't want any pictures taken of the job," you can't use those photos for your portfolio. We still take them, basically as insurance in case anything gets damaged. But basically, we can post pictures to our sites so long as we have taken them. Now, if you didn't take them or if you're having your daughter take them as a family member, even if you pay her to take the pictures, you have to get written consent releasing her as well. Dan Rush: Really? OK, thank you. Annette Mercado: I would definitely talk to your lawyer about it. When you publish somebody else's pictures, you do need to make sure you're on solid legal ground. Dan Rush: Yeah, that was my understanding. I take boatloads of pictures, and I just catalog them to keep track of the job. The Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier system allows unique design by taking the toilet of the foor. The system's fexibility and adaptability allow free rein within individual space. Once the system is installed, the only visible element is the stylish actuator fush panel. With millions of installations throughout the world, the Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier system enables unique design and utilizes water-saving, dual-fush technology. For a free copy of the Geberit DVD, our full line digital The sheer resource, visit us at beauty The sheer of → geberitnow.com water beauty of or call 866/787-3924. Geberit Now DVD-ROM Design Inspiration and Technical Information water Geberit Now DVD-ROM June 2012 • GNA7083 ForResidentialPros.com QR January 2013 19 For more information circle 37