I remember the moment I decided to create a trade show how-to class. I was sitting in a new client's office reviewing his previous marketing efforts. At one point I asked if he had ever participated in trade shows. Rather emphatically he replied, "Yes, I have and I will never do it again! Trade shows are the biggest waste of time and money."​ Now, I happen to think that trade shows are one of the most powerful tools in a marketing toolbox. Where else can you make a personal connection… Show more I remember the moment I decided to create a trade show how-to class. I was sitting in a new client's office reviewing his previous marketing efforts. At one point I asked if he had ever participated in trade shows. Rather emphatically he replied, "Yes, I have and I will never do it again! Trade shows are the biggest waste of time and money."​ Now, I happen to think that trade shows are one of the most powerful tools in a marketing toolbox. Where else can you make a personal connection with hundreds, if not thousands, of potential customers in a short window of time? That said, trade shows can also be a huge waste of time and money - if they're not done right. And it soon became clear that my client hadn't done them right. So, right then and there, I decided to combine my trade show experience with my marketing know-how and create a workshop that would help business owners of all sizes get the greatest return on their trade show investment - and have a lot more fun doing it.My trade show workshop has been described as, “Riveting”, “Invaluable”, “A must”. No doubt, it's filled with the greatest goldmine of exhibiting tips and strategies ever crammed into one workshop.Here's just one of the hundreds of comments from happy students.“This presentation was riveting. The presenter was extremely well prepared. I spent many hours researching trade show exhibiting at the library and at bookstores and came away with only a fraction of the knowledge that was presented at this 2-hour workshop. The materials handed out are invaluable.”Rick H., Business Owner, Highland, MIEventually that class morphed into a 10-point Trade Show Assessment, trade show specific consulting, and my Trade Show Transformation program. The latter is a streamlined, step-by-step process designed to help individual consulting clients transform their trade show experience and make more money every time they exhibit. Check out my website to learn more www.colleenkilpatrick.com. Show less

I help business owners and professionals attract, delight and retain their ideal client through private coaching sessions and dynamic workshops. My 2014 Workshop Schedule includes these powerful topics designed for people who are serious about growing their business and keeping their customers for life.~ Surefire Tips for Successful Trade Show Exhibiting~ Customers for Life~ Marketing for Right Brainers~ Appreciation Marketing~ How to Generate More Referrals and Repeat… Show more I help business owners and professionals attract, delight and retain their ideal client through private coaching sessions and dynamic workshops. My 2014 Workshop Schedule includes these powerful topics designed for people who are serious about growing their business and keeping their customers for life.~ Surefire Tips for Successful Trade Show Exhibiting~ Customers for Life~ Marketing for Right Brainers~ Appreciation Marketing~ How to Generate More Referrals and Repeat Business~ Change Your Thinking - Change Your Business~ Enlightened Sales and Marketing~ Creative Ways to Drum-Up Business~ Advanced Networking Skills~ Business Brainstorming Sessions Show less

There was a time I travelled about 26 days of the months as a corporate Travel Director. No matter where I travelled, I always sought out opportunities to experience a destination like a local. I still do. So, I was pretty thrilled when I first learned of the Vacation Rental By Owner concept. Ever since my first stay at an Airbnb in Sedona, Arizona, it’s been my dream to create a unique experience for my fellow travelers that includes all the comforts and amenities I so appreciate when I'm away… Show more There was a time I travelled about 26 days of the months as a corporate Travel Director. No matter where I travelled, I always sought out opportunities to experience a destination like a local. I still do. So, I was pretty thrilled when I first learned of the Vacation Rental By Owner concept. Ever since my first stay at an Airbnb in Sedona, Arizona, it’s been my dream to create a unique experience for my fellow travelers that includes all the comforts and amenities I so appreciate when I'm away from home.The Red Maple Retreat is a clean and cozy vacation rental home tucked along a quiet street in the charming village of Milford. This beautifully decorated house with private backyard offers hotel-quality mattresses, bedding and towels and lots of space. Just 6-blocks from downtown Milford, it's a short walk to all the award-winning restaurants, art, shopping and entertainment this town is known for. A perfect home-base for business and personal travelers who want a fully-equipped kitchen, comfy beds, fast wi-fi, and close proximity to the highways, waterways, bike paths and hiking trails of southeast Michigan. All this and an inviting sunroom, too. Show less

It was an encounter with a talented photographer many years ago that made me decide to study Marketing and Business Storytelling so that I could help entrepreneurs, business owners and creatives share their best gifts with the world.To say this photographer was gifted is an understatement. This artistic soul had a very special eye for photography. He saw things others didn't see and captured them for others to enjoy. His portraits brought out the soul of the person and his candids… Show more It was an encounter with a talented photographer many years ago that made me decide to study Marketing and Business Storytelling so that I could help entrepreneurs, business owners and creatives share their best gifts with the world.To say this photographer was gifted is an understatement. This artistic soul had a very special eye for photography. He saw things others didn't see and captured them for others to enjoy. His portraits brought out the soul of the person and his candids caught life in motion. But, in spite of his immense talent, he struggled, at times, to share his gift with the world. To him, and so many other creative and talented souls like him, marketing his talents was akin to bragging and seemed rather disingenuous.It made me wonder...how many other business owners and entrepreneurs are in the same boat - lots of skill, talents, passion, and gifts but marketing is not one of them. It was then I decided to go back to school and study small business marketing. I wanted to help business owners and entrepreneurs share their gifts with the world and make a good living doing it. In time, I expanded my offerings to include public brainstorming sessions, trade show marketing, business storytelling and classes on a variety of topics of importance to the small business owner including networking, creative thought, customer service and retention, Appreciation Marketing, public speaking and more.One of my gifts is the ability to turn complex marketing, business and personal development concepts into simple, step-by-step solutions that can be understood and implemented with ease. It brings me great pleasure to share my gifts so that others can share theirs. Show less

In the world of business, there's no shortage of talk on the importance of a Marketing Plan, but little to no discussion on the value of a Customer Retention Plan. The problem is, the former without the latter is pure folly.One day, after listening to a client describe all the creative and costly ways he found new customers only to lament his failure to retain those very customers, I decided to do something about it. There began a two year search of the best customer retention tools I… Show more In the world of business, there's no shortage of talk on the importance of a Marketing Plan, but little to no discussion on the value of a Customer Retention Plan. The problem is, the former without the latter is pure folly.One day, after listening to a client describe all the creative and costly ways he found new customers only to lament his failure to retain those very customers, I decided to do something about it. There began a two year search of the best customer retention tools I could find to better serve him and other business owners like him.That's when I learned of SendOutCards. I recognized it immediately as the powerful tool it is. It's power comes from the fact that it combines the ease and efficiency of the internet with the power of a paper and ink greeting card. You simply go online, find a card, write a heartfelt message, add a gift if you desire, and click "send". The company then prints it, stuffs it, stamps it and sends it to your recipient. Easy, efficient and so effective. Show less

I helped business owners innovate their business and achieve bigger, bottom-line results from their marketing dollars. I built a case for my client’s business, supported by marketing evidence, that differentiated them from their competitors and made them the obvious choice in the eyes of their prospects.

Initially I was hired as a Business Consultant to improve efficiency and increase profitability of this commercial photography business. As a result of the work I did in this capacity, procedures were streamlined, production and personnel costs went down, customer satisfaction increased, and the company image was greatly enhanced.After a year, I was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director. In this position I developed and implemented innovative marketing strategies, sales policies and… Show more Initially I was hired as a Business Consultant to improve efficiency and increase profitability of this commercial photography business. As a result of the work I did in this capacity, procedures were streamlined, production and personnel costs went down, customer satisfaction increased, and the company image was greatly enhanced.After a year, I was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director. In this position I developed and implemented innovative marketing strategies, sales policies and customer service practices. I also recruited, trained, managed and motivated our team members in all aspects of sales, marketing, customer service and revenue generation. Within two years, the changes I had implemented resulted in a 43% increase in the business.To better serve my photography clients, I worked after hours to learn the art of styling photography shoots and coordinating events. In time, I was organizing and coordinating many aspects of our client's corporate events and personal celebrations as well as their in-studio and on-location photo shoots. In addition, I created streamlined processes to ensure flawless events, exquisite photography and my customers’ delight. Show less