Ben Palmer of Expressive Structures – Featured Business Owner

by Peg Corwin
 

Meet Ben Palmer, owner of Expressive Structures and Featured Business Owner at SCORE Chicago this week.  Learn how he started and what tips he has for your success.

Ben Palmer of Expressive Structures

 

What is your company’s elevator pitch?

Expressive Structures is a Chicago-based company providing creative backdrops, scenic solutions and retail displays for corporate events and trade shows.

Express Structures logo


Who are your clients, and give an example of how you served that person or business?

The majority of our clients are producers, production companies and meeting planners representing events large and small. We provide them with new rental scenic options resulting in cost savings for them and long term revenue for our company.

Express Structures Display

What is your most successful sales strategy?

We are able to provide unique and creative scenic solutions to convey our client’s brand and message in an impactful way for a reasonable cost.

What works to bring you business?

I joined the Chicago Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, (MPI) and started attending networking events. Soon after I joined two committees. The volunteer work and the in-kind scenic donations we have provided for MPI have given me the opportunity to develop close working relationships with event professionals which in turn is leading to referrals and quality introductions.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in business that might help others?

Business is built on relationships and relationships are built on trust.

What is Your SCORE Mentor’s name and how they have helped you in your business?

Many thanks to my SCORE counselor Jerry Folz. We meet at least once a month and I review the projects and ideas I am working on for the business. Some of the best advice I receive is in the form of questions that shed light on and expose assumptions in my thinking. As a small business owner having someone to bounce those ideas off of is a huge asset.

What is your website for further info?

www.ExpressiveStructures.com

Our business mentors can help you, too!

==> Schedule an appointment with a Chicago area mentor.

==> Ask a business question to an email counselor.

Disclaimer:   SCORE Chicago helps small business owners manage and grow their businesses.  We help startups write business plans and launch.  Nevertheless, our involvement should not be considered as an endorsement.

 

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