Prstore Makes Image Affordable

DETROIT (Thursday, December 16, 2004) - Image is everything in business.

But strategic marketing and public relations campaigns can take a big bite out of a small operating budget.

Now there’s a new franchise alternative that’s flexible, affordable and offers a la carte services for the small business owner.

It’s the new PRstore in Royal Oak. Owned by James C. Moore, the store relies on a centralized design and production capability and the ability to offer area businesses an alternative to big box public relations firms.

"We’re marketing mainly to the small businesses. Our a la carte packaging of services gives them the flexibility to buy what they need, affordably," Moore says. "The idea for this kind of store that caters to the smaller businesses actually came up years ago for me. We just couldn’t figure out how to do it cost effectively, at the time."

But that is no longer an issue with his new franchise affiliation.

"I went with the franchise because there was no reason to rebuild the idea. They had everything in place. It was a question of ease of marketplace entry and cost-effectiveness. They had it all figured out," he explained.

Building on a long career in advertising, Moore finds the franchise opportunity with the PRstore to be a natural extension of his career.

"I felt it was crucial to get into something I knew and understood," he says.

After some initial investigation, Moore discovered the franchise offered him and his prospective clients the unique service model that was unattainable earlier. The company’s centralized services maintains quality controls and supports the sales efforts of their franchisees by preparing consistent products for clients. The company creates a retail atmosphere by design, following in the steps of other industry successes. Staples, Fed/Ex, Kinko’s, Fast Signs are other examples of this business model.

In addition to affordability, the a la carte concept of offering distinct products and services allows small business owners - and even individual walk-in clients - the opportunity to present a cohesive, distinct market presence; an issue for some small businesses using occasional marketing services from different sources.

The concept may be to cater to small business, but the hope is to do it in a big way. The company’s emerging nationwide franchise network hopes to include all 50 states in an eventual chain of 350 stores. The Royal Oak walk-in facility has only been open to the public since Nov. 1, but customer interest has been steady.

Traditionally, small business owners who have not been able to buy the services of larger marketing firms have engaged freelance designers and writers.

"We see our competition not necessarily in the larger PR companies, but more with these individuals," Moore says.

But again, the flexibility of the PRstore concept allows for tailoring products to a clients need, with a consistent market visibility.

Moore likes the marketing potential for the PRstore chain. Nationwide there are more than 5 million small business owners. Moore plans on opening up to eight other similar shops in the Midwest, with five possible in the Oakland county area and seven more Detroit area stores in the next four years.

"I see three stores a year opening up," he adds referring to his overall regional expansion plans.

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