2010- BMP photo booths and Boller Photography

We used to have this saying - Goat Cheese!! ( instead of oh jeez). So Goat Cheese, we finished up 2010 with a bang! Since 2008, BMP has been growing steadily and took off this year when I had the gift of quitting my parole officer job of 15 years to work it full time.  It was a rough time of my life a year ago, when my job was not where I wanted to be in life.  It was less of what I wanted in my life and I felt my self respect and worthiness on the line. Looking back, its funny to see the things we do to our lives when we are not in a happy place.  I drive by this bar I used to go to lots and now know that it was to escape my depression. Today I don't attend there on weekends as I see it as a step backwards.  So after a great time in Barona Resorts / Kelowna, I did some serious soul searching and business research and goal seeking. Thanks to Carolyn Collin who is working on her life coach business, recommended a book for me - The flight plan - by Brian Tracy.  He was able to take my cocktail dreams and turn them into reality.  My biggest accomplishment I did in my life was to give my notice to my employer, not out of anger, but out of bravery and courage. To accomplish this is the biggest rush of achievement one can do. I left with the faith that I needed to make money in a few months after I left, of which has been happening by the grace of God.  I was literally in the depths of hell and have risen which makes this a great Christmas!


Our received our UPS confirmation that MJ2 is on her way from Chicago.  Thank goodness because I was trying to figure out how to juggle setting up for Derks Wedding show, get to Red Deer for a booth show, get back to Derks wedding show in Edmonton the next morning, and get to a Party for a hotel that night. Its all about BE DO HAVE right? I am thankful for the relationships of very cool people I have made in the event industry so far. Like any place, there is genuine people and I know them and appreciate them for their interdependence.


My family is supportive with their compliments and pats on the back. My wife was huge in supporting me to quit my job and go penniless initially. I owe her that much some day.  My boys in their own way, make me feel good about the business and am thankful to their words. I hope one of them can take it over in years ahead.  


So now I leave and finish up my Christmas preparations.  Of course its a symbolic celebration and should be a big party because Jesus Christ did come to earth to save the planet. We should be concerned if it ever does not become a party. So love everyone as a goal and to peace goodwill towards men! Love me!


BMP photo booths and Trevor Boller Photography were only put at the top for hits on the web. lol

God Inspired Marketing with Glee

Hey O!!! Happy Month of December as we begin to ultimately celebrate the symbolic birthday of the earth's Savior.  If you aren't religious, then at least love yourself, love your neighbor and the world. Too much hatred out there. And about that word Religious, I would like to be more religious, according to the meaning in the Bible. It says true religion is helping the single mom. That sure is not about rules to me, but about love!  Anyways, BMP is very happy with the way the business is heading so far, and doing things I could not see, but only hoped for by our faith. I acknowledge my Creator for inspiring me for our latest two  marketing tools. I can't call them guerrilla marketing, because they do cost money.  A few weeks ago, I was trying to figure out what promo we could give to our potential corporate buyers. I googled what works and what doesn't. Pens does not work! Coffee mugs could, but is expensive to make and probably ship.  Then my God given idea came to send the newest hippest Christmas CD before the season began to kick it off! So Google again, and I got Glees' Christmas Album 2010. It was just released at the end of November so Amazon had them in limited quantities.  My favorite store in the world - Costco did have them! I bought like 20 or so and left their shelf dry. I bought some ribbon and little bows and decorated them and shipped them to my favorite contacts I had made in the last couple of months.  I sent a note and asked BMP to be associated with entertainment and inserted a Christmas postcard I had taken last year on Christmas day of the river valley. In my Oprah voice, I would be saying - and to our signed up customers, will also be receiving a CD in the mail soon!   


Then I focused on a referral program.  Maybe I received the idea of referral program from Kim T Gordon extraordinaire.  So my God given idea was to give up to 50 dollars of Gift certificates to my referrals.  Since Edmonton has a Victoria Secret, we know how well received it is.  We will also change the certificate to another store on preference.  Last night I was watching the art show Victoria Secret on TV, when it hit me, that God had done our referral program on perfect timing! Today, the contacts will be receiving their Promo postcards the following day after this show!  I was and  am still ecstatic about this.


I still have plans about a viral type campaign with our booth that will be awesome.  Our next step at this time is to find a lease to set up my photo studio and hopefully gallery for showings. To our advantage, the rent is low because of an over abundance of places at this time. I know God has the perfect place for us and am excited to write about that soon.

In God, BMP trusts.

Rock Star

They say there is 4 seasons of business, and I have a hard time to figure out where I have been lately. Yes, It is spring planting time in the last 2+ months and has been prosperous so far.  Lessons have been learned which is good!  I look forward to the next 2 weeks as its' like a rock stars debut. I look forward to reporting about our next promotions that will be coming out when it's the right time.  What I value most to date, is the supportive friends who only say nice positive things to us to encourage us. This is more valuable than money!  I am pleased to say that expansion is already in the talks, not because it is a good idea, but rather necessity based on market demand.  I love my job, even though Im a late bloomer.  I had a chance to write another government job test a few weeks ago, but gave it up because I want to be focused 100 percent on the dream because I believe.  Thank you to my supporters and promoters.

With Gratitude I have made 2 months of self employment. Symbolically, The red graph is going in the hole but thats the price for starting a business. This has been spent mostly on promos and advertising and oodles of trips to Staples and Photo stores.  As I study business start ups, I am grateful that all business goes this way when starting up. I am overjoyed at the networking that has been done in the last 60 days or so. Sometimes I feel the connections and opportunities feel like 6 months already.  We had two shows in the last couple of weeks - one at Camrose Fashion Show for cancer and the Camrose Bridal show.  I loved both of them as it was a sense of community there, of which I am familiar coming from small town Medicine Hat, Alberta.  I am grateful that the photo booths I am promoting, costs little to display and show. There will be big costs with the January Bridal shows at the Shaw and  Northlands, but the payoffs should be good. We have joined the upcoming group Bossy Mama who focuses on Female entrepreneurs.  They are true balcony people to talk to!  We also joined the Edmonton Chamber of commerce after researching the benefits of this organization.   This business is ALL about the networking and that means building relationships, not selling a product to them as the focus.  I look forward to when this area gets off the ground more and I can focus on my photography more and market that area.

Lessons learned - radio advertising is expensive and is not the best media for us at this time.  Hit the target market at the trade show with education and promotions. Volunteering our service at events is great at promoting to people and costs us little.  I have had countless businesses who suck at returning emails about needing their service. IE I am willing to give them money for their service, and they do not return my email. I make it a vow to return an email that day, even if temporarily from my blackberry. I have learned that automatic email returns are impersonal. I need a new website for the photo booths for website optimization. Flash websites can not accomplish this. My target market is females and they do their shopping on the net!   I will be busy now until Christmas and look forward to going into the New Year  with a bang!

Thank you God.

End of October 2010

Well another month passed by of being self - employed and the world is becoming less scarier and Im becoming more confident as each day ensues. I've met some awesome people in the event planning industry and wedding world. Recently, I signed 2 great contracts and another one is in the works for tomorrow! God is really showing me great things so far. I tried ten days of radio advertising and I found networking to be more effective. We just joined another wedding show at the Shaw in January and we are pumped about it. (Bridal fair)  This weekend we got to debut MOJO Photo booth at the Fashion Show for Cancer in Camrose, Alberta.  She was great and the tweaking makes this booth more amazing. It was great to see the ladies try on the props and laugh and keep coming back.  Our new website reached 652 visits this month and 892 pages viewed. Im glad people are checking us out! It seems Friday is the busiest for viewing our website. Is this the slackers at work? hmm   Anyways, November is looking busy and I will keep you updated!

BMP - Boller Media Productions

Feel the teasings of the November season approach through the grayness and coolness of today. It represents a new season approaching.  This business takes alot of work, and confirms my rant for people, that you can not do your dream business 100 percent and hang on to your other job. I do realize, like I had to, that you have to do both to get it started though. I attempt to document any blessings I have received to give Glory to my true boss - God.  We made 2 contracts last week and have some hopeful other business for the Photography business coming up.  Its all very positive at this time and I look forward to making new relationships, as relationships is what business is all about.  My highlights last week were meeting the positive entrepreneurs of Bossy Mama and Carol herself!  I also had a great meeting with Specialeventrentals.com  who were very friendly and helpful.  I truly love this industry and sometimes feel I am in a dream. Thanks God!

This photo is posted, to say My G daughter turned 2 this week! Happy Birthday Hailey Bean from Papa!

Homeless Connect V

On Sunday, I had the privilege of going to the Homeless and Inner city initiative at the Shaw conference Centre. One day I was talking to my wife that I would like to do family portraits of inner city people, and the very next day, I run into Dave Ward who approached me in Future Shop, and asked if I would be the photographer this year. I was honored and in awe of being "tapped" by my Creator.  I get teary when I watch my gallery on my website, as everyone had a mini story to tell. One of my favorite's is this man, who said, I have a picture of me for my Mom!  I was moved.  It is my purpose that I learned in Choices " to share my love with others, so they may feel their worthiness".  I was truly on purpose that day. I am thankful to my team, who made it all possible and I needed every one of them!

MoJo in da house

Im so glad our new MOJO booth is there. Put on your MOJO. What goes on in MOJO... u name it! I got some clever photo campaigns in my head! Anyways, gratitude is what its about. I am really thankful for every person that hits the LIKE button, because it give me encouragement.  Kinda like if there was a team of cheerleaders outside my house, yeah!  Happy Days!  BMP photography will be doing family portraits at the SHAW conference center on Sunday for the inner city. very exciting to give to the community. Always looking for volunteers!! Have a great weekend.  I am thankful for the assistance of Technicare Edmonton and Kingsway Minuteman press, oh and Costco!  Oh and Bossy Mama this week! Oh and Sherwood Park Toyota!..  ;)

Thanksgiving Weekend

I am so thankful to my Creator for the blessings that he has given me. I claim his promises to take care of us and all that we have been entrusted with. Every success and dollar we make is not for our glory. It is to show how great He is! This is a Thanksgiving like no other! Happy Thanksgiving everyone and if you read this, I pray for blessings for you! Love me

Official Grand Opening of New Website

I am proud but humble to announce the grand opening of www.trevorboller.com   New website!  Her name is Alexis.

what I learned from 28 Entrepreneurs

So like the article I shared today, I put some blurbs from it  that helped me and I will focus on them for the growth of BMP.

Failing fast is always better than spending years of your life on ideas that have no chance out there. Release often, iterate, repeat and if it does not stick -- cut your loses and move on. ; network, be persistent, let your interests and passion be your driving force; never get too high or low - keep an even keel; focus on what you are good at and not what you are trying to improve at, learn how to study, data decision driver; figure what you would be passionate about for 10 years from now and go for it; release often, repeat., fail and fall often- re evaluate and try again; Trust your own opinions and ideas, how where you have been, where you are now, where you are going;work on projects aligned with life goals; Go after the crazy ideas that pop in your head; Just before you think you can not make it, is before you make it; don't lose sight of who you are; skip vacations - indulgences for awhile; invest blood sweat and tears; be honest with strength and weaknesses; promote yourself; outflow equals inflow - promotion, blogging, emails, social media, build strong teams that believe in your vision, Family First.

This is advise from other entrepreneurs who wish they had it when they started. Word!

The Booth is our 3rd at Capital X - Northlands. Each year we learn what didn't work the year before!

TGIF

Here is some TGIF shots!!  yeah Weekend, enjoy everyone and Rest!!

Life Begins at 40...

This week, I had an opportunity to capture the beauty of Lynn Greene from Edmonton, Alberta. Her husband was along also. B-U-T-Full!

Children are our future!

Children are the hardest to photograph, but when captured, it was worth the work! Buy Puppets!!

Show n Tell

This morning, I sent out 40-50 emails to potential customers with my Sales Pitch. Within 45 mins, I had a response from a woman who stated she was looking for photos of a certain nature.  I told my 16 year old son, that what I did since 6 am, would have taken 2 working days to do in the 80s, and a week longer for a response.  No more snail mail to deal with! It is so much easier now than ever, to make your business work in this age.  Today I had the pleasure of updating portrait photos with Krista Meyrink! She was so natural behind the camera and her look stayed consistent!

Update - week of September 20

This week has been busy so far marketing and 2 photo jobs by Wednesday. Monday night was busy shooting 2 personal businesses for Kasia and Violet's website.  Yesterday I had a meeting with West Edmonton Mall's Office Manager employee's Sarah and Angela who were looking at our BMP Booth Services for their Christmas party and events.  After I raced to City Hall to capture the 5th anniversary ceremony of the Declaration of Aboriginal People at City Hall. What a blessed day from above it was!

Lily-Anna & Sergio Engagement

Happy Month of September to you. This is my virgin bloggin' and I look forward to writing random updates that may or may not make sense.  This is an exciting time for BMP as it's all I do for a living now. I faced courage 2 weeks ago and gave my company of 15 years notice, to protect my soul or inner boy. I now feel totally worthy and that can not be taken away from me. So according to the inspiration videos, I need to breath this dream in and out always in order for it to work. I need to write my goals down always. I need to apply my Brian Tracey's beautiful simple teachings from his book The Flight Plan. So as you can see and understand someday, in order for your dream to come true, you must put in the effort ( breath in and out), have the courage to get there ( quit job), and write you goals!  So today I will do a romantic engagement shoot and I suppose I will blog it later! Thanks to anyone who is supportive of BMP.