Once I realized the cling idea just wasn't going to work (static cling isn't strong enough to hold on many surfaces), the challenge began finding a manufacturer that could create my idea.
"Deadened" Adhesive Not a Good Idea
One of the first concepts we tested was to deaden the image area. What this means is that adhesive is applied across the full frame. The image area is then "deadened," meaning that a solution is applied to make that area non-sticky. Two problems with this technique:
- The deadened area is a bit filmy looking because two layers of "stuff" (the adhesive and the deadening agent).
- The deadened agent eventually deteriorates and that area becomes live again with adhesive - not what you want for photos or any important documents you may have displayed.
The revived deadened area ended up looking similar to this image of old film on a window over time.
Two Layers Not Good Either
Our next prototype consisted of two layers of polypropylene laminated together. The concept her was to use a full sheet of adhesive, and then laminate another smaller sheet on top so that the two together would make the image area. This again left a bit of a milky look to the image area that I wanted to be clear. Also, over time, the laminated sheet ended up peeling away from the second layer, making the frame unusable.
People Loved the Prototypes
We really thought the structure mentioned above was the answer. My parents were long-time RVers (they own an RV park in California), and in 2010 they wanted to sell RVFrames at an annual event for motorhome enthusiasts in Quartzsite, AZ. They bought inventory at wholesale, and I went out for the first weekend of the event to help my parents get started. This event is held in January and lasts for 9 days each year. I flew into Phoenix Airport, and then drove the few hours to Quartzsite.
When I rounded the last corner of the drive, a full valley became visible with thousands of RVs. I had no idea that event was so massive. The Big Tent is the main area of the event, and you'll find pretty much any type of vendor you can think of: food, jewelry, camping gear, parts, etc.
The Big Tent at Quartzsite, AZ, caters to thousands of RVers
$1000 in Sales in Less than an Hour
We set up on Friday before the gates opened Saturday morning at 9 am that weekend. My dad was at the front of the booth helping me demo on a kitchen cabinet we put on a table. Our thought was that this would be a good test market: Grandma and grandpa RV owners want family photos visible within their home, but actual frames fall off walls and tabletops any time the RV moves. We new our RVFrames would take up space or fall, so this was the perfect test market.
Within minutes, our booth was overwhelmed. We divided the work load ... I demoed on the cabinet, Dad took cash, and Mom was in the back of the booth entering credit card charges. Back then, we sold 5 4x6 frames for $15. Within an hour, we had sold over $1000 of a $15 product!!!
RVFraimz were our first big sales
Swamped!!!
We were so swamped that morning, that all I had time to do was step away from the booth and text my husband "Jackpot - we did it!" Meaning that we found a market that truly loved the products. It was only a matter of time, though, that we found out our structure wouldn't hold up long term. The response we received from the customers that bought, though, fueled my fire to find a solution that would last and give people a solution to take their family with them long their travels.
