Accepting Credit Cards Online - e-Path
 
 

FAQ

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS / WHAT IS YOUR SCHEDULE?

In general, Monday – Friday we take calls between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST or by appointment. On Saturday we take calls between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon. We are most often unavailable on Sundays and closed on holidays. We're happy to speak with you after hours if you contact us to arrange it. We strive to answer emails the same day we receive them. We answer them after hours as time permits. It is not guaranteed. We don’t communicate by text because it’s time consuming and inconvenient. Thanks for understanding. SCHEDULE: Business Packages / Signs: We make signs and ship business package orders every month of the year except December. If you order a business package or signs during the month of December we will begin making and shipping them the first week in January. Signs Supplies: We ship supplies year-round. If there is a time period we are unable to ship during the year we give advance notice in plenty of time to fill all orders before our days away or before holidays.



HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I MAKE?

This really depends on your efforts. The majority of people are going to make a nice supplemental income, but not replace a full-time income. You do not have to live in a big city to be successful. When I first began my rental business I lived in a town of 8,000 people. I also delivered to surrounding areas and I was able to build a very busy business. We currently have partners across the US who have been motivated from the start and they are renting 30-50 signs per month. Some partners rent fewer signs per month, but that is often all the extra income they are after. We can’t emphasize enough that your efforts will have the greatest impact on whether or not you are successful. With enthusiasm and consistent effort your business can really grow and flourish. We have lots of experience marketing successful stork / birthday sign rental businesses and will be always available to help you with yours.



DO YOU OFFER FINANCING OR A PAYMENT PLAN?

We are unable to offer a financing or a payment plan at this time. However, you may finance via Paypal’s Bill Me Later® program .



WILL I BE THE ONLY ONE IN MY CITY WITH YOUR DESIGNS?

If you are looking for that type of guarantee, our packages are not a match for you. We do not sell to anyone else within 20-miles driving distance of your address. The distance is measured with Google Maps driving directions. This mileage is a buffer between you and other existing Stork Lady© partners or a partner who may come along after you. It is not a restricted or exclusive area. Exclusive/policed areas are common in franchises, which Stork Lady© is not. Purchase of a franchise costs much more, in part because franchises include specific territories and it takes money to police them. In situations where two people are close geographically I encourage them to work together. Actually having another Stork Lady© partner near you is a positive and not a negative. You are both creating exposure for stork / birthday rentals in general and your designs in particular. Both partners will benefit. It’s also a great opportunity to combine efforts and the cost of events at which you can market and promote your signs and service. There are many examples of current partners who work together in this way. It’s a win win.



WHAT IS YOUR MOST POPULAR STORK SIGNS PACKAGE?

The 6-signs stork package is the most popular, by far. However, our partners in very rural locations most often choose the 4-sign package.



HOW MANY STORKS DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?

I think 6 stork signs is a good minimum number. The biggest drawback to the 4-sign package, assuming you don't live in a very rural area, is you will likely have to turn down business along the way because you don’t have enough signs. That is not good for your pocket and it’s definitely not good for your business to turn away orders, especially when you are just starting out. You want to be easy to do business with and be in a position to accept rentals. To do that, you have to have enough signs to fill every rental request. A minimum of 6 signs gives you a good start and once you are busy and need additional signs we can ship quickly.



IN ADDITION TO A BUSINESS PACKAGE, WHAT ELSE IS REQUIRED TO BEGIN A BUSINESS?

You will need a software run vinyl cutter to make the lettering for the bundles, sibling signs, dog bones, cupcake & flamingo plaques, etc. The vinyl cutter the majority of the partners use is a Cameo Silhouette. We have lots of help and support available to teach you how to use it. It’s not difficult to learn how. You will also need a search engine friendly website, as well as a search engine friendly Facebook page, and participation on Instagram and Pinterest is highly recommended. With the purchase of a business package, we offer detailed support for all of the above. There are also a few incidentals you will need. In total they cost than $100.



ONCE I PURCHASE A PACKAGE IS IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL INVENTORY OR SUPPLIES AS I GROW?

Yes, once the initial package is purchased, all of our signs may be purchased individually. We offer a price break on the purchase of 4 storks or more. As for sign plaques, please keep in mind your overall cost per piece will be less the more items you order when you take into consideration the cost of shipping. Shipping is mostly about dimensions. Once you pay for the dimensions, you may add quite a bit of weight for only a minimal jump in price. The sweet spot seems to be between a count of 30-50 items. But, of course, that’s not required or necessary.



ARE YOUR SIGNS PLASTIC OR WOOD?

Our signs are PVC plastic and computer cut for consistent excellence.



HELP! THERE IS ALREADY COMPETITION HERE!

Competition is actually a good thing! We've learned that you will get off to a faster start if there is already someone doing storks and/or birthday sign rentals in your area. The reason is you aren't faced with having to introduce the whole “idea” of yard sign rentals. People already know about it and have been exposed to it. And when they see YOUR stork, cupcake or flamingo sign in a yard or they Google for lawn sign rentals and your website is returned, they say, "I want THAT sign!” So, don’t be deterred by competition, be happy!



WHY SHOULD I USE YOUR SIGNS?

We think our signs are definitely the cutest and that is the comment we hear most often. Every sign we offer is computer cut and consistent in quality and look. Our stake is extremely heavy-duty and each stake is individually drilled to match up with the holes in each sign you receive. Our signs don’t twist in the wind or lean, as long as you install them correctly, which is easy to do. However, if you find signs you like better, you should choose them because you want to have a product that you love and believe in. We've been in business for 25+ years and our signs and opportunity is proven. We’ve been around long enough to see what really works, what doesn’t, and to work out the bugs. There is no need to reinvent the wheel with our opportunity. We share specifics on marketing and many other topics so you are equipped to build a successful business. Our method is based on what we've learned on this journey, as well as the success of many who have gone before you. If you will plug in what we offer and do the work, you can reap the reward of a successful business. Experience is a big advantage and the fact that we have so many satisfied customers is a testament to our product and service.



ARE THE SIGNS DIFFICULT TO SET UP?

No, they are actually very easy to set up. For most people it will take just a few minutes. If you have hard or frozen ground we give you instructions on how to install signs in that situation. With frozen ground it still takes less than 10 minutes and anyone can do it!



THE STORKS AND FLAMINGO ARE 6 FEET TALL. DO I NEED A TRUCK OR VAN TO TRANSPORT THEM? WHAT ABOUT THE CUPCAKE SIGNS?

The wonderful thing about our storks and flamingo is they are made in two pieces, the legs & the torso. When you attach them to the stake (legs go on first) they stand 6 feet tall. The signs were designed in this way so a van or truck would not be necessary to transport them. They easily fit in both my Ford Escape and Ford Focus. The Focus is a small car. The cupcake signs measure 44 inches wide x 45 inches tall. You don't need a truck or van to transport them, but you need a car with enough room for them to stand between the front seats and the back seat OR enough room in the back to transport them flat. For purposes of display, once you add a topper on the sign it adds up to a foot in extra height. The cupcakes are large, showy and the WOW factor is awesome!



HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE IN AN AVERAGE WEEK?

That really depends on you and how much time you want to give your business in order to establish and grow it. The more you talk it up, market it, expose people to it, etc., the more you will get out of it. The amount of time that takes will vary from one person to another. I would guess the average person spends 10-15 hours per week on deliveries, marketing, etc.



MAY I PURCHASE YOUR BUSINESS GUIDE / BUSINESS MANUAL?

Our business guide and marketing materials are shared with our partners only.



I HAVE A STOREFRONT BUSINESS. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL SIGNS IN LIEU OF A BUSINESS PACKAGE?

We are not a supplier of signs per se. We offer a business opportunity that includes lawn signs. Everyone who purchases our baby / birthday signs must purchase a business opportunity package.



I AM OUTSIDE OF THE USA. MAY I PURCAHSE A BUSINESS PACKAGE?

At this time we are unable to ship any of our business packages outside of the USA. There are no exceptions.



WHAT IS YOUR TURN AROUND TIME ON BUSINESS PACKAGE SALES?

We are a small niche business. We do not have completed signs in storage awaiting sales. We make signs and fill business packages to order on a first come, first served basis. We will ship your signs 10-21 days after your order / payment. The timing depends on how many orders we have ahead of you at the time you order. PLEASE NOTE: In extremely busy times turn around time may be longer than 21 days. It depends on how many business packages are ahead of your order. There is plenty you can do to ready yourself for business while awaiting your signs. You should buy a Cameo Silhouette vinyl cutter and learn how to make bundles / other signs, begin a website, create all social media accounts, begin to market as "coming soon," and purchase all of your supplies. If you prepare during the time you're awaiting the arrival of your signs, you will be ready to rent immediately and there will be no lag time.



IS A REFUND AVAILABLE IF I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER PURCHASE OF A BUSINESS PACKAGE?

A refund is available for 72-hours following the purchase of a business package. 72-hours after purchase, the Stork Lady© proprietary information will be sent to you. No refund will be given after this information has been sent.



DO YOU OFFER SUPPORT?

Included with the purchase of a Stork Lady© business package is hands-on support, help and advice regarding all aspects of your business, including marketing.