Creative Cutups

What do you get when you cross ambition, a teacher, coach, lots of buttons, an Aerostar van and lots of giggles? You get Creative Cut-Ups. This promotional and advertising specialty business in Centerville, OH is proof you can have fun and still be successful. Creative Cut-Ups started in 1993, by Kathy Dane and Marcia Rose, as a button-making organization, based in their kitchens and has progressed to a busy store full of many specialty items that has built its network primarily through word of mouth.

The company's origin is rather unique. Kathy was Marcia's daughter's fourth grade teacher. As they coached softball and Odyssey of the Mind together, they started making buttons to support their teams. Soon the button business started taking orders for coordinated pens, balloons, shirts, etc. "In the beginning the office was a kitchen table," Marcia said. "No one suspected that was our location because the service we gave was always so good."

In 1999, Kathy left teaching to be a full-time partner of Creative Cut-Ups. At the same time, the business started to exceed their current office space and they needed an office with a showroom. They decided they also needed some expert advice on how to run their burgeoning business. They decided the SCORE Association, "Counselors to America's Small Business" would be a good match for their needs.

"Both of us have been coaches and we believe in the benefits of this type of guidance. This is why we went to SCORE. People tend to go where their strengths are. SCORE helps us take care of the areas that we don't know about," Kathy said. "SCORE guides us in areas that we need them. They have years of experience; we would be crazy not to draw on this resource." SCORE counselor Sue Anderson helped them navigate through the challenges an expanding business owner faces.

Due to their success, they are expanding the business. They recently purchased the rights to two products: TRUETEE, a golf tee with three prongs, instead of the concave head to hold the ball. TRUETEE can be customized with a client's name or appropriate saying. The second product, Es'steam, is a self-simmering potpourri packet. After placing the potpourri packet in water, it begins to simmer and releases fragrant scents. Ten scents are currently available. They are also considering the development of a sales force to market these new products.

Although they have worked very hard and their hard work is paying off, they would not be doing what they are doing, if they did not have fun. "Combining the hard work and laughter makes the stressful time good," Marcia said. "The process to get you to the end point is as exciting as finally getting there."

Company Facts

CREATIVE CUT-UPS STAT SHEET

Company: Creative Cut-Ups

Location: Centerville, OH

Employees: 2

Phone: 937/436-1419