My name is Kia Arian, and my husband, Brahm, and I own and operate a quick print shop, Speedy
Printing, on Route 50 in Fairfax City. We purchased this print shop five years ago and worked hard
to create a stable customer base, add new services such as professional graphic and web design,
and position ourselves as a premium marketing and printing service provider to small and mediumsized
businesses. In addition, we help the local community by offering convenient, affordable, and
personalized office services such as packaging, shipping, fax, notary, etc, that help make managing
life a little easier for those who live and work here.
Last year, we were
presented with an
opportunity to move our retail
operation to a new shopping
center. Unfortunately, that
opportunity came right at
the same time as when the
economy tanked (remember
the Lehman Brothers
bankruptcy? That happened
two weeks after we signed
the lease). We were very
uncertain about the future of
our business since sales had
been steadily declining, and
we weren’t sure if moving to a
new location and committing
to a 10 year lease was a
smart thing to do. But, by the grace of God (we can give you
the full details of that story in
person if you’re interested),
we got it together and, in
February of 2009, moved a
half mile up Route 50 to a
beautiful new location, next to
Party City, Petco, and Panera.
So now we’re planning on
hosting an official grand
opening party on Friday
July 17th from 4pm-7pm
with ribbon cutting, toasts,
speeches, music, the whole
shebang. We’re inviting the
Mayor and city officials.The
Fairfax Connection paper
will be doing a story about it.
It is becoming grander and
grander as we plan! The best
part is a charity raffle to
benefit the INOVA Children’s Hospital in Fairfax, a not-forprofit
children’s hospital that
relies on community support
to provide world-class service
(www.inova.org/children).
We’re selling tickets ($1 each)
and we want to offer some
really great prizes. So, we’re
asking for prize donations
from local businesses like
yourself. Our grand prize is
a three-night hotel condo
accommodation in Miami
Beach, Florida. Pretty cool,
huh? But, feel free to top it!
Keep reading and see how
you can get unique exposure
for your business that is fun
and different, for less money
than you could spend on any
other kind of
advertising...
1 The raffle ticket is basically a huge postcard
with a tear-off. We get the tear-off for the
drawing, and they keep the postcard. The
postcard will have your business name and,
if you’d like, a discount offer or a coupon for
your business.
2 All of the prize sponsors will be featured
on a mobile LED billboard (that’s basically a
huge lighted sign mounted on truck). The truck
will go up and down Rt.50 for 3 hours on the
day before and the day of the event.
This mobile billboard will display a full color 8’x15’ ad
promoting your business.
3 All the prizes and prize sponsors will be
listed in the flyer, emails, and all marketing
materials announcing the grand opening. So,
you get the benefit of our marketing efforts at
no extra cost to you!
4 You get at least one new customer, who
may become a customer for life!
5 Lots of intangibles like forming new business
relationships and opportunities.
6 And finally, to appeal to your charitable
sensibilities, you’ll help out a fellow business
owner who works hard like you to make a
decent living and be a positive influence in the
community. We’ll be sure to return the favor.
What kind of prizes can you donate?
It should have a retail value of at least
$25. Prizes with a retail value of $100 or more
will guarantee you a spot on the billboard.
(Depending on how many prizes we have, I may
have to limit the billboard space).
The prize can be a gift card to your business,
your products or services, or a cash prize from
your firm or company. It should be completely
free, no strings attached. That means no
“buy one get one free” or “minimum purchase
required” deals please. You’re welcome to upsell
them when they redeem the gift, and our hope
is that you do get more value out of the prize
winner. But, for the prize, it should be a freebie,
pure and simple.
The prize should also have general appeal.
The more luxurious, the better. It’s OK if it
it is gender specific. They can re-gift it or trade
with other prize winners.
So you get the idea. Also, I’m only looking for
about 15 prizes, otherwise we’ll be there ‘til
midnight drawing names. And finally, you are
free to donate more than one prize.
I truly appreciate your consideration, and
I hope you will take advantage of this
unique opportunity for your business!
Please contact me at 703-591-4000 or
email arian@zinegraphics.com if you have
questions. If you’d like to donate a prize,
please use the reply form provided on the
next page. For planning purposes, I need
your commitment no later than June 30.
Dear Kia,
This does sound like a fun and different opportunity to get
some exposure for my business. For the charity raffle to
benefit the INOVA Children’s Hospital in Fairfax at your
grand opening event on Friday July 17, this is the prize I
will donate:
