Hi, new here any advice would be great! I really need it.

[forthem]

I need to know how I can get more study model cases, and fast.
Who would I market them to? Orthodontist.... labs........who?

Long story short
my dad has an ortho lab....(we have a lack of communication or I would talk to him) And I did all his models until getting married/kids and such.

Last year my husband hit the road and I have 2 small kids to house, feed and I am determined to stay home with and raise. I have all equipment, knowledge and skill and do high quality work. My only problem is who do I market to and any advice on the best way to market would be great as well.
Am I living on high hopes of being home with my baby? or am I gonna be working 40 at wal-mart and sticking kids in daycare 40 hours a week?
PLEASE HELP

Thanks in advance

[RetainerDesigner]

Are you already set up at your house to do models?
if you are, I would print up a price sheet with multiple levels of quality. Include what you would charge for just a pour up, trim and label all the way to AAO standards quality. Kind of a Menu of sorts the doctors can choose from.
If you are not set up at the house I would market yourself to the Orthodontists using a resume'. Most Orthodontist are already set up to do models, a lot around here, were I am, either have one of the assistants do it or hire an in house technician to do it. In fact one Orthodontist I know had an assistant the had a baby she quit being an assistant and did models at night. She would just bring the baby up to the office after hours or have family watch them after they got off work.

I would stick to the Orthodontist they do tons more models per year. Depending on how many orthodontists are in you area you may find enough work to keep you busy, but you may need to set up a shipping system for out of towners.

Either way print up a price list or resume' and pass them out to all the orthodontist offices ( and general dentist who advertise they do braces) in your town and surrounding area.

Hope this helps, be sure to ask any questions. Look for "Study Models" thread in the ortho section of the forum here by labdude, you may find it interesting

Cade

[forthem]

I do have a full set up and do 25-30 for a doc that works only 2 days a week. Any suggestions on prices. I am doing finished (trim, smoothed, scraped, labeled, soaped) for 27.00. and that is my fathers prices from 4-5years ago. I do not want to overprice and discourage doctors.
Thanks for the info so far, it is very encouraging and puts me more at ease with the route I'm taking.

[TheLabGuy]

Do both, market to the orthodontists and start beating on their doors, then also market to all the ortho labs ( in your town and surrounding area, and on here). You'll get business.

[labdude]

Hi forthem,
What's your location?? Near a large city is best, your situation is what it is, as it sounds.
Your price is in a good general area for starting and seriously growing a model business.
After it's where you want it, or larger preferably, then easy the prices up to around 30 plus. Adjust for the large inflation we will be having for the next year or so.
Stick to a 2 week turn around as best as possible. Faster turn around requires more shipping costs. Closer offices can have it faster, this will secure your place in your local market as no other lab will be able to match your turn around time, without a large output of shipping money.
Need to know your location, really, in order to be of much more help.
Mike.

[labdude]

Also, get daddy to contribute if possible.
If not, get yourself to the correct office for some assistance. This sucks at first, you won't need it forever. Your situation sounds as though you will pick yourself up quickly, by yourself. Just don't make it tougher on yourself than it needs to be. Get the needed short term backup.
The people who send you some assistance (state and county your in) will find daddy and he will pay wether he wants to or not. If he is making himself invisible, he will be found. New systems today watch bank accounts across state lines. Can be an ugly thing, it would be better he he would help out without the push from the GOV. Child support operations are very one sided, their side. The interest they accumulate is ogre like. They will persue him to his grave for payment.
Mike.

[trisha]

HI Forthem,
Welcome, welcome, you came to the right site for answers. Like the guys said make a fee schedule and start knockin on orthodontist doors. You can make this work for you. Most of my doctors wish I did study models, but I have to turn sm work away. What I have found is that the docs. would just asoon send them out then monkey with them in house, it is not really cost effective for their practice. Your prices seem low, but it really depends on what area of the country you are in.
Make sure that you also have an initial introduction letter to let them know of your experience. Let them know that you are specifically looking for a handful of docs. to do business with and you would love for them to be one of them. Don't hesitate on letting them know you are starting a business from home to support your family. Best of luck to you!! Keep us posted and if you need any questions answered you know where to look. Don't give up your dream, you can definintely make it happen!!!!! You will get rejected, it is not personal, just make a list of all the dr. you want to target and mark them off as you go. If no luck search a little further from home, or the next community and make a list of those docs and keep on till you have enought to keep you busy and then who knows maybe you will get enough work to find a helper.
trisha

[labdude]

If you don't talk to us, we can't help you.
If it's because of tough times right now, all the more reason to talk to us.
There may be no quick fix, but, there is a way.
Mike.

[forthem]

Sorry , I had no idea their would be such quick and great responses. I'm on the east coast of Va. I have quite many orthodontist around me and I'm working on a price list to get to them asap. I also have to get the Business Reply permit. (any cheap way to get around that?) As far as "daddy" goes he is long gone and doubt I will ever see him again. Ive been through child support enforcement, they're a joke. Not their fault I picked him. I now feel much more comfortable with moving forward with this after reading the responses. I was almost at a point of giving up and looking for something else I would be able to do from home.

As far as social services goes...errrr...They will hand you the world if you do what they think is best for you. All my choices are made in the best interest of my children and if they don't line up with what they think is best then they pass you by. I'm not an idiot, I didn't have kids for the heck of it, and I know what is best for my children and the way I want to raise them. Anyway I could go on about them all day

So I really do appreciate all of the advice and it has given me a lot of motivation. I'm ready to try all of the ideas and am working on them right now. I will let you all know what happens.

[labdude]

ALLRIGHTY THEN!!! Let's rock and roll!

First a funny. I here a lot of jokes about the amount of teeth in Va. IQs are higher!
Yes...I'm a butt.
Your BRM, least expensive is one that costs $180.00 per year. You pay that, then place money in your BR account to cover incoming mail. Put 20 or 50 dollars, what ever you can afford to start. You don't need a lot if there is nothing on the way yet. Return of work through the mail is o.k. if you allow 3 days.
3 days to you, 3 days to do the models, 4 days to return.
This time table in general works fine for a study model. You explain to drs that turn around is 10 business days, post office is closed on holidays. A good way to put it is, if they send it on the 1st, in will be back in theri office on the 15th. (or 14t if you like)
This has worked for the past 39 years.

Still, try to get a little assistance if you can. If you need to say something that is needed to "sell" the idea that you will comply with them. This is sales.
You are in sales, you can sell and will.
You may need to work a part time something, I don't know. I just hope all goes well for you. You seem to have the drive to get where you want, don't be side tracked.
Night time waitress??? restaurant or bar??? If someone can watch the kids for 4 hours or so.
You pay the dues now, you will be rewarded later.
Don't come across to much to new clients that you might be desparate. Maybe a little if it sells your work.
So.... you say you have all the equipment. Is it set up and ready to go?? I have 30 plus years of model making experience for you to draw from as you wish. There are a few posts here concerning that and model making. My intent is to stream line things as much as possible, and maintain high quality.
Please ask away...
Also on the BR mail, we would pay the return postage, the postage from the office to us was placed on the invoice. In other words, we paid the postage 1 way. Do what works for you. Things are usually heavier on the way out. Impressions weigh less than stone.
We paid the return as an extra for the drs.
Let's move forward!
Mike.
edit: for good info on the BRM, call my post office. It's a small one and the post master works the counter and all. He's a friendly guy. Buddy Crawford, he's from W. VA. 541-896-0038.(We're in Oregon) Tell him Mike said you would help out with the actual BRM permit numbers you need.