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Hudson's Engraving and Gifts has called Victoria home since 1988

Jamie Fitzgerald, left, and LaVerne Marshall work at Hudson's Engraving and Gifts, which has been in business since 1988.
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  • Originally published October 22, 2009 at midnight, updated October 24, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.

Editor's note: Your Money, Your Business showcases small businesses. If you have a small business or know of an interesting one, please let us know. See the end of this feature for submission information.

Business name:

Hudson's Engraving and Gifts

Address and phone number:

3208 Sam Houston Drive, 361-578-9873

Business owners:

Dave and LaVerne Marshall

Date opened:

1988

Number of employees:

Three

Services offered:

We offer a large selection of gifts for all occasions, office accessories, trophies and awards and engraving, all at the same location. We also specialize in making industrial and oil field signs and labels.

1: Why did you choose the industry?

We enjoy being able to interact with our customers and aid them in making design decisions on their awards. It's also great to see their reaction when they get the finished product.

2: Describe your first day in business.

Our first day was pretty calm. Although we didn't have a lot of experience, we did have some good help to guide us on the way.

3: Describe a typical workday.

That is one thing that is enjoyable about this business. There is no typical day. We never know what a customer might bring in for us to engrave or what they may want for a trophy or award.

4: Why open up shop in the Crossroads region?

LaVerne and I were from this region and, after spending 12 years in Las Vegas and Corpus Christi, we were excited about getting closer to family.

5: Is it difficult to find employees in our workforce? How do you find workers?

It would be very difficult to find a skilled employee knowledgeable about engraving. We have been very fortunate to have been able to have the same great help for more than five years.

6: What advice would you give others starting a new business?

Having your own business is a life-changing commitment you have to be dedicated to. Success, we think, depends on you working by the Golden Rule. Would you appreciate being treated as you are treating your customer?

7: What is the biggest challenge your industry faces?

Competition. Some people in this business believe the only way to get a customer is by cutting prices. Price is important, but so is quality and promptness.

8: What is something most people don't realize about running a small business?

People who haven't had their own business don't realize the expense involved. It's not just your wage, but rent, utilities, depreciation and upkeep of your equipment, taxes, employees and so on.

9: In your time running your business, what is your best story?

We find it very interesting what some people bring in to have engraved and what they might want on it. Our slogan, "We can personalize anything," certainly gets challenged sometimes. It's a lot of fun.

10: Where do you see yourself and your business in five years?

Fortunately, our business continues to grow. We do think a business today must look toward the Internet. Hopefully our business will continue to expand.

- Allison Miles, Victoria Advocate

To be considered for the Your Money, Your Business feature, call 361-580-6511 or e-mail Business Reporter Allison Miles at amiles@vicad.com. The form is also available electronically.


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Comments

  • momof2 momof2 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I needed something very special quickly engraved once and took it to the place in the mall. They would not engrave it because I had not bought it from them. I quickly found Hudson's and they did great work. I have probably gone and had 5-10 more things engraved by them. I think they do beautiful work and I think it is affordable, too.

    October 22, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.