Biz Buzz: Owner of new photo printing shop enjoys capturing memories for customers
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Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
IDAHO FALLS
New photo printing shop opens in Idaho Falls just in time for the holiday season
IDAHO FALLS – With the holiday season coming up, chances are there is an occasion you want on camera.
Pic-N-Go, a new photo printing service, opened quietly on Nov. 2 at 625 1st Street in Idaho Falls.
Owner Jeffrey Olsen tells EastIdahoNews.com the business prints photos and images in any size and on any surface you can think of: canvas, metal prints, vinyl, shirts, jackets, hats, mugs, pens, stickers, vehicles and more.
One of the things he’s most excited about this month is a memorabilia license plate for veterans. Veterans can put an image of a ribbon rack, their years of service and rank on a license plate, and Olsen and his team will put it on a stand for display.
“I’m a veteran of 34 years, and for Veterans Day, which I’m offering for the whole month now … you can go online and upload the image (for the license plate) or come in the store. We’ll take the image and do it while you wait,” says Olsen.
Though other similar businesses are in the area, Olsen says the thing that sets him apart is the personal connection to customers and their ability to offer same-day service.
“You can order things online and wait a week or two weeks to get it or you can order online here and pick it up today. You can also come in and pick it up the same day,” he says.
Olsen says all of his printers are new, and he just purchased a new $10,000 printer that no other business in eastern Idaho is using.
Olsen got his start 32 years ago when he opened Video Master, a slide and video transfer business, which is two doors down from Pic-N-Go. Photo restorations were a popular service for customers, Olsen says, but he had to send them to Sam’s Club to print.
Sam’s Club eventually quit printing photos, so Olsen decided to open his own photo printing shop.
“For the convenience and the cost, our prices are better (than competing companies),” says Olsen.
Olsen is an avid cinematographer and writer. He’s produced work for many different clients, including a music video for local band Quiet Nights Quartet and a film project for local filmmaker Spencer Woodhouse.
Olsen also has volumes of unpublished scripts and novels.
“I can make up a story and make it pretty believable,” says Olsen. “I started writing when I was a kid. I have a lot of short stories I used to write.”
Whether any of his work is ever published remains to be seen. Olsen says serving customers keeps him pretty busy, and he prefers to stay out of the limelight.
He’s collected a lot of old film and recording equipment over the years and enjoys tinkering with technology. See some of his collection in the video player above.
The majority of the work he does at Video Master is shoot wedding and funeral videos. He also edits and digitizes home videos for customers. His clientele is nationwide, and he says it’s rewarding to help them capture their memories.
“I have a plan. I shoot it. I edit it. I create it, and you watch it at your reception. Just to see the tears and the laughs — It’s invigorating for me to see that.”
Business has been pretty slow, he said, but he expects things to pick up in the next several weeks.
“I thought we’d have a lot more customers, but I don’t think the word has really got out,” Olsen says.
Though he’d love to expand Pic-N-Go or Video Master, Olsen says his ultimate goal is to help other people be successful.
Pic-N-Go is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.
BIZ BITS
Pocatello insurance company has new assistant branch manager
POCATELLO – AmeriTitle Escrow Officer Annette Baumeister has been promoted to assistant branch manager of AmeriTitle in Pocatello. In addition to servicing clients with outstanding escrow services, Annette will now assist with the day to day operational management of AmeriTitle Pocatello. In this role, Annette will work closely with and report directly to Branch Manager/Escrow Officer Thai Ayre while also having involvement with the AmeriTitle Idaho State Leadership group. Baumeister has been with AmeriTitle for three years and has more than 10 years of professional business administration experience. She is an Idaho native and is active in the Pocatello and Chubbuck community. She is serving as chairwoman of the Chubbuck Development Authority and board member of Bannock Development Corporation and recently served on the Chubbuck City Council. When not closing real estate transactions or volunteering in the community, Baumeister enjoys spending time with her husband, Jon, and their children, Evan, Briana and Hayden.
Shoshone-Bannock Hotel hosts annual Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony
FORT HALL – The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel held a small ceremony to raise the flag in front of the casino property on Wednesday. Just under 30 people joined military veteran employees as they raised flags from the United States of America, the state of Idaho and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The short program was designed as a way for the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Team Members to honor their coworkers who have served in the Armed Forces. Interim CEO Colista Eagle kicked off the program with a few remarks. Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Council Chairman Devon Boyer then offered words of thanks to all military and honored veterans. Council Member Lee Juan Tyler led the crowd in a prayer as guests faced due east to recognize the sunrise and the many blessings on military members who serve with honor. The flags were raised to the song “To the Colors.” Refreshments were served.
Local utility named one of the top 100 privately-owned companies in Idaho
ASHTON – Fall River Electric Cooperative has been named one of the Top 100 privately-owned companies in Idaho. The recent recognition came about as part of the Idaho Statesman’s annual survey of top-performing privately held Idaho-based companies, as compiled by the international accounting firm KPMG. Fall River Electric was ranked No. 86 and was the only electric utility listed in the Top 100. Fall River Electric was one of 13 privately-owned companies based in eastern Idaho that made the list this year. The top five include WinCo, Simplot, Blue Cross, Jackson Foods & Melaleuca.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
REXBURG
Owner of costume-design business hoping to create new mascot for Pocatello High School
REXBURG – As the selection process for Pocatello High School’s new mascot continues, a local business owner is hoping to design it.
Ann Stokes is the owner of Felistellar Studios, a mascot design company in Rexburg.
“Fur suits are another name for them. It’s a form of cosplay for some. For others, it’s a marketing or school pride thing,” Stokes tells EastIdahoNews.com.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
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