Series of Wine labels designed for Bodegas Paso Robles

Recently create eNVy graphic design was asked by Dorothy Schuler, Winemaker of Bodegas Paso Robles, to design labels for her Spanish varietal wines. Dorothy wanted to use the existing artwork, monoprint Cara Bella by her good friend Morse Clary. The background color on each label depicts the flavors in the wine. For example, “Pimenteiro,”  is drenched spice and and black pepper. This combination conjures up a deep purple color.

All of the labels were created with Dorothy’s unique style and privately-owned art pieces in mind. Elite by GM Nameplate out of San Jose, CA provided high-quality labels and accurately matched the color sent from artwork sent electronically. They are one of the leading label printers in the area because of quality, reliability and service.

Visitors to the Bodegas Paso Robles Tasting Room at 729 13th Street in Paso Robles, CA can sample the Graciano, Pimenteiro, Solea, !Viva Yo¡, Galicia, Iberia, Rosado and Doña Blanca.  You might even meet Dorothy.

Some of my clients get overwhelmed when they need to market their business. They know their product or service is in demand, but may not be sure how to get the word out about their business.

I use the K-I-S-S approach (Keep It Simple Silly.) I urge clients to begin simply with smart marketing techniques such as word of mouth. Discuss your business with a trusted friend. Let’s say your product is wine. Discuss with them who you would like your clients will be, and your business short-term and long-term goals. Determine people’s current opinions of your product. People may prefer a drier, less sweet wine. They may not like white wine and prefer red. From this discussion you can determine your product’s strengths and weaknesses.

Using this technique will give you a good idea of your product and how to market it. Get the word out to your neighborhood, gym, a parent’s group or local nursery. Get to know as many people as you can, establish solid relationships with vendors, attend community events and go to your child’s sports functions. You never know what will happen.

Utilize your internet and email tools such as e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The more you are prepared, the less costly it will be when you approach a graphic design or marketing firm.

Most importantly, don’t give up. Your business is your livelihood.

Having moved from two larger size cities, specifically Washington, DC  and Portland, OR, small town living took a bit to get used to. It was like traveling to another country where certain conveniences are not around the corner. In small towns, there aren’t big box stores, drive through restaurants, reliable transit system or incorporated city governments. News stations and newspapers get their “big stories” from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Generally, it takes about two years to get used to a new town.

Then one day, you find yourself taking a walk on the beach where the air is clear, you smile because there isn’t any development and you can actually hear the seagulls. You feel “at home” during local library functions or talking to a neighbor at the grocery store.

Sure, this is a challenging economy. You realize that whether you live in a small community or large city, your friends, children’s teachers, real estate agent and clients are experiencing the same challenges.

Georgia O’Keeffe said it well: Still—in a way—nobody sees a flower—really—it is so small—we haven’t time—and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.”

If you are fortunate like me, you experienced friendships and feel at home in both larger cities and small towns.

create eNVy graphic design worked with owner Steve Weir to update Weir’s Cyclery’s web site. The new site features easy to navigate pages that describe the history of Weir’s Cyclery, the bikes and accessories, biking links, service, trails and rides and a calendar of events.

You can go to www.weirscyclery.com and find out how partnerships with local organizations and a loyal customers has made Weir’s Cyclery one of the premier bike shops in Portland, Oregon. Democracy Now named Portland as one of the most bike friendly cities in the country because it’s infrastructure allows cyclists to commute to work safely and ride trails with ease.

Shown above is a photo of the webmaster’s family riding on the Bob Jones Trail in Avila Beach, California. Since riding on the Specialized bicycles from Weir’s Cyclery, our family spends healthy, quality time together every chance we get. It’s an easy way to get exercise, cuts down on congestion and it’s just plain fun. One of the bikes is used for commuting to work and has been the eNVy of co-workers!