Sponsorship Has its Rewards: New England Skateshop Riders "Skate Fresh & Ride Fly"

Kelly Craig and her son, Dylan, had an idea for a way to spend time together and help out with family finances: a one-of-a-kind online skateshop that would feature 100% skater-owned and local skateboard companies right alongside all the top names. The result was http://www.newenglandskate.com/, your online source for decks, trucks, wheels, longboards, accessories and more. Dylan's tagline? “Skate Fresh & Ride Fly!”

It's a family business in more ways than one, as there are now more than 675 skaters worldwide who are part of the NewEnglandSkate family. Sponsoring riders is a classic win-win marketing situation: it's a great way for the company to get the word out about all that amazing skategear they offer (which ships anywhere in the world), and a great way for riders to get discounts on all the gear they need. NewEnglandSkate helps to promote all levels of riders and features their skateboarding photos and videos on all of its social media and networking sites.

All of those sponsored riders, of course, need NewEnglandSkate stickers for their decks--as did all those skaters who turned out for The Dew Tour 2010 stop in Boston, Massachusetts, NewEnglandSkate world headquarters. To date, the company has given out over 600 custom stickers in three different styles at a variety of skating events.

"Custom Sticker Makers great prices and easy ordering were the key to making my decision," said Craig. "They print quality work, and if I have any issues with the design, I know I can call them and they will make it right for me. They are a company I can trust."

A Nanny for U: Sticking with Kids

A Nanny For U started in 1994 when full-time nanny Rebecca Vidmore recognized the for a higher quality of childcare in the Seattle area. Sixteen years later, A Nanny For U staffs not only full-time, part-time and temporary nannies but postpartum doulas, household assistants and personal assistants.

The focus of A Nanny For U is on trust and personalized service. All of their caregivers go through a comprehensive screening process that includes driving and background checks as well as detailed professional childcare references. In addition to traditional “in home” services, the business also supplies childcare for hotels, businesses and special events.

A Nanny for U focuses marketing efforts on a customizable pack of brochures detailing specific services that convey their value to potential clients like hotels and new moms. While the information in the brochures may be different for different customers, the sticker on the outside is the same, offering “at a glance” brand recognition.

The kids like these stickers, too, using them for art projections and even personal decoration at the childcare center of a local gym that's run by A Nanny For U. When those stickers go home with kids, parents learn about A Nanny For U and are directed to the company's website.

“Custom Sticker Makers are the most cost-effective, have the most options, [offer the] shortest shipping time and [have] an easy to use Web site,” said Annie Drury of A Nanny For U. “Our stickers arrived promptly and turned out very nice.”