Things are changing fast! Our business environment, customer sentiment, design trends, marketing opportunities, etc. have always moved forward. The difference that I see today is that there is a confluence of factors merging coupled with an acceleration in development of online strategies. The move to online sales is one of the biggest factors affecting many in business. Brick and mortar stores have difficulty in competing with the big online retailers. Couple this with a sometimes less insightful consumer and sales are down at most small retailers. Quality compared to price often takes a back seat. 

   Interior designers which often supported the box store can also feel the pinch. You can set up a visual demonstration online and place an item of in context in a virtual setting eliminating the need for professional advice. Not the same obviously, but the point is, it affects the number of clients looking. 

   The online retailers tend to carry products that have appeal, have a good margin, and can be bought in quantity making listing easier. Not too many out there will take the time to list one-of-a-kind items (like us :). Browsing site to site, I see the same type of products store to store. 

    So, how do retailers navigate this market? They distinguish themselves with a niche and cater to that clientele. But the thing is, how can a small business compete with the big guys? How can they create traffic to their location, website and social media? And that's the acceleration I've seen in the past year. Websites have become quite developed. SEO can be as involved as you like and the amount of SEO advisors, developers, back link companies, on and on, has grown exponentially. I've spoken with a few and have evaluated some to be knowledgeable, some to be earning a buck as quickly as possible, and some to be shysters. 

   This is the environment that we navigate today. I'm grateful to my old customers that keep us going. I'm also pushing for new contacts that appreciate our aesthetic and business values. So, is all lost?

   Not at all, it's simply important to have somewhat of an understanding of the dynamics at work. Although business can be less personal than in years past, that can create firmer relationships with those that have the same values. You can see what trends are at a glance these days which can make for more informed decisions. Buyers and sellers are a keyboard away. Distinguishing yourself. Getting through may take more perseverance but the possibilities are really endless.

Be well,

Wally and Pat    Asian Art Imports   www.asianartimports.net

What's new?

 One of the requirements of a business like ours is the constant searching for what we can bring in that will work. We try to inspire new ideas keeping in mind that we are in the business of selling and there has to be a balance there. Sometimes, it takes time for a line to catch on. Other times, we move more stock than we can keep up with. As of late, we've been bringing in more sculptures both in ceramic and cement and here we've found demand. Part of the allure is the individual personality of each piece. These are not mass produced, and our clients appreciate that. In fact, much of what we do is essentially one of a kind and that's what brings clients to us. The stone planters we now carry also fall into that category. Bottom line is we don't stagnate. We have clients with successful businesses that we've worked with for over twenty years and this method helps us all. We pay attention to feedback and sometimes adjust our thinking to fit the market.

We do carry on with what brought us here, namely natural wood furniture and vintage pieces, vine art, and Urchin Light Pendants will continue to be in our stock. So, it's a process of exploring and adjusting. Things change and so do we.

Wally and Pat   Asian Art Imports   asianartimports.net

We unloaded a new shipment!

 We received a 40' container at our Van Nuys, California location yesterday. It contained mixed freight including 30 tables 8' to 16' in length and a dozen organic consoles. So, where do these come from? The short answer is Thailand. The process starts with obtaining reclaimed wood. The wood is obtained from areas that are cleared for a variety of reasons. The wood isn't grown to made furniture. In the case of the tables we just brought in, we bought a large section of a tree that was reclaimed and had it sliced to our specifications. The slabs are thick. The wood is then cleaned up and dried, finished and fitted with legs. We keep these in our Thailand warehouse and ship to California with our logistics company as we need them. Being in control of the entire process allows us to have the product we want and being to offer it at an extremely good value. It's also rewarding to us to know that the wood is responsibly obtained.   

We have new product, website and blog so, why not start at the beginning?

 

   We started small. In 1998 our sourcing consisted of scouring small cottage industry shops, literally mom and pop, throughout Thailand. Most of the people we delt with were serving the domestic market. My wife Pat, who is Thai, and I traveled around in a pickup truck and often found our vendors by stopping by in our travels. Internet was not what it is today and finding a source was primarily by word of mouth. We enjoyed the exploring and sourcing which led us to some wonderful experiences and finds. Reclaimed architectural pieces and farm tools were some of what we sourced. We developed relationships with some people who are friends to this day. This process is more than just business to us. We want to feel good about the entire process.

   We found a good market for our finds in Los Angeles. As we grew, we expanded our sourcing by fulfilling customer requests. We discovered that tables, coffee tables, stools, wall art and other natural wood decor were in demand. We did some shows including New York Gift Show, ICFF and Las Vegas Market. Initially, we were the only vendors selling natural wood furniture. This changes over the following years but we've navigated the ups and downs and continue to stay inspired and yes, we're still sourcing from great suppliers.