The Gravitron guys stayed with us for a couple days this week. They drove from Austin to Phoenix and spent two days with me and Gary before leaving Friday for Vegas. We’ll be headed up there tomorrow for our industry’s trade show. That’s where we met the Gravitron guys last year.

I enjoy talking shop with Dave and Evan. Like 420 Jars, Gravitron was started by two guys in their twenties who had an idea. When we first met them and swapped stories about our businesses and how we got started, it was almost surreal. They practically had the same story as us, just with a different product. We thought, these guys are like us… that’s cool.

I believe 420 Jars is about 6 months to a year older than Gravitron… when we first met, I told Dave that they had to start advertising in a trade magazine that goes out to all the shops in the country. Now they have a full page ad right next to ours. I also recommended using permanent decals rather than stickers on the Gravitrons and helped them find a supplier. Over the past year, we’ve helped each other out with advise and ideas, but now we’re starting to help each other out with sales.

We think every customer of ours should be a customer of theirs, and vice versa. So with that in mind, we created a few specials for the customers at the trade show as an incentive to buy from both of us. Every shop that orders from 420 Jars and Gravitron will get 2 free jars and 1 free ‘tron. I’ve also started to ask my customers if they carry Gravitron when they order over the phone. If they sell Gravitron already, I ask them if they need to re-order and then I pass that along to Evan. If they don’t sell Gravitron or haven’t heard of them, I give a little pitch and point the customer to Gravitron’s website or magazine ad.

I think we’ll also be working with Gravitron on a new website and updated image for their advertising. I like their style, but I think Gary and I can give them a little boost. What’s great is that these guys catch on quick… we can update their brand and give them the resources to maintain that image consistently, regardless of the medium or message. They’re not the typical helpless client.

But before our collaboration can begin, orders have to be shipped. We’ll be working hard to fill our orders from the trade show through the first week of September, if we’re quick. We really need to find someone to ship orders for us so Gary and I have more time.