I did not take “small engine repairs 101” during my experience at Turpin High School in the quiet suburbs of Cincinnati…some days I wish I had.  You see, I know so very little about cars and motors that I feel blinded by the wires, fans, belts, and so forth.  Sad to say, my greatest accomplishment mechanically was installing a garage door opener.  I did not enjoy the process of installing it, but I enjoyed the years it lifted for me in the rain and snow. 

I was hoping to have the same sort of happy ending when dealing with my yard trimmer a few weeks back.  I have a general anger towards gas burning yard appliances because I seem to spend more time trying to get them running than I do actually trimming.  The trimmer was mad at me.  It would start, but then as I increased the gas flow, it would stall.  My shoulder began to ache due to my persistence in restarting (because if you try it 100 times it might start working properly).  Anyway, I finally took the trimmer to my workbench.  I cleaned off the spark plug and it started running great.  I went back out to trim fairly happy with myself for accomplishing a mechanical act, but I soon felt a cold sensation on the back of my leg.  No worries, it was just the gasoline/oil mixture dripping from my trimmer and running down my calf. 

I took the hot trimmer with dripping gas back to my workbench where I noticed a split in this yellowed/orange hose that ran between the primer and carburetor.  Most likely, I pinched or damaged the hose during my spark plug repair.  I cut the hose and reattached it, but it would not hold.  The hose was just too old, stretched, and weak.  The annoyance factor was really growing.  I drove to a major hardware store and searched the aisles, but found nothing that would work.  Twenty minutes had passed…I did not see any “helpful associates” or a similar hose, so I left empty handed and more frustrated than ever. 

On my way back home, I noticed a smaller hardware store.  I did not think they would have the inventory to help me, but I went in anyway.  I was 10-steps in the door when an associate asked if he could help me.  I showed him the decayed gas line and told him of my project.  The manager of the store overheard my project, they discussed my mission together, and then I was soon led to the lawn and garden area.  They opened little containers which held rolls of fuel line hoses in 6 different diameters.  I asked him for a 12’’ segment and I was out the door in a few minutes…having paid much less than expected.  I was fully operational shortly after arriving home.

O.K…you might be asking…Tom what does this have to do with Trophy Awards.  Well, I think there are clear connections between the “smaller” hardware store and Trophy Awards.  Most people are not award experts…there are not many high school or college classes offered in recognition products or acrylic awards 101.  Rather, it is often the admin of a company given the task to find the ultimate recognition item.  Without a history of ordering awards, the task can seem confusing and overwhelming.   How do I “phrase” these awards?  Where should we put the logo?  How do I pick the perfect recognition item?  What will reinforce the message we intend on sending? 

Trophy Awards will help you with your project.  Yes, there are bigger award companies, like the hardware store, they may appear to have a large selection and look impressive from the outside; however, it can be hard to find help on the inside.  Including myself, we have 8 staff members who specialize in customer service.  We generate ideas and share with each other our customer’s projects.  The inbound e-mails land on Vickie’s desk which is less than 2 feet from my desk.  We usually reply to all the inbound e-mails within the hour they arrive.  We also personally answer all our phone calls.  We do not start with an answering system…we start with a live human to greet you, answer your questions, and get an idea of your project.  We strive to provide you with exceptional service.  Our inventory is also impressive.  We carry a full line of personalized acrylic awards, crystal awards, marble awards, plaques, desk and wall clocks, and other specialty items.  These awards are probably more affordable than you may have thought.

Ordering awards should be satisfying.  You start with a project and end-up with a solution.  My gas trimmer is still running fine.  Guess which hardware store I will use next time. 

Tom Busch
President, Trophy Awards Mfg, Inc
Your trusted source for recognition awards including acrylic awards, crystal awards, plaques and much more!

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