This week’s luncheon speaker, Mark Common of Paul’s Photo, has led 10 safari trips to Africa, and is planning number 11 next July. Hopefully.
 
That was among the tib bits he shared with us today. His main topic though was “The Changes in Retail Business Today.”  He is vice president of Paul’s Photo, a small camera business in the Torrance.
 
He outlined several challenges to the retail industry today. Among them online shopping, increased costs, and unfair competition. “Many competitors are free of the regulations that we have to follow,” he said. “As a result, we’re seeing a destruction of the tax base; we pay sales tax to government to fund city services such as police and trash collection.  We’re seeing many small businesses leaving, resulting in empty streets. All that results in lower employment opportunities,” he said.
 
“I started to work with my Dad, who started our business in 1961,” he said. “Most of you (speaking to Rotarians) got your first job in a small business. With the erosion of small businesses today, where will our youth get their first jobs? Without small business opportunities the opportunities for the first-work experience evaporate.”
 
“We make 4% profit from the sale of a $1,000 camera after paying discounts, the wholesale margin, sales tax, etc.” he said, adding, “Moreover, the camera business has gone from single lens reflex to cell phones to mirrorless cameras.” Commons demonstrated the difference by broadcasting to  the Rotary Club via a camera lens--extraordinarily clear quality--rather than the television cameras--cell phone quality--Rotarians typically use for Zoom meetings.
 
Common’s secret to success includes being nimble, diversifying, and experiential marketing. “When you come into our store you get to talk to a real person,” he said, explaining when experiential marketing is. His business, he added, is divided between the camera store, developing film in the laboratory, and the Academy where he teaches photography.
Several Rotarians say they have worked with Mark Common for up to 40 years. Among them are Steve Aspel and Nancy Langdon.
 
Mark’s email address is: mark@paulsphoto.com and the company’s website is paulsphoto.com.