Press/Awards
Featured on the Villagerpublishing.com website – The last two decades have gone quickly for Brian Hart.
“Everyday I try to think like this is my first day in business,” he said. “I don’t ever want to lose that passion. Thank goodness we’ve been staying busy. I don’t ever take it for granted.”
This month, Hart celebrates the 20th anniversary of Frame de Art, but he says it seems more like 10 years since he opened his first framing store near Denver University. In 2006, the business relocated to 3065 S. Broadway in Englewood and has since become a fixture in south metro business circles.
Business Focus: Frame De Art II, Englewoodby: YourHub.com 1/17/2011
Interview with Brian Hart, owner
How did you get involved in this business?
I have always loved art. In college I had no furniture, but my walls were full of great pictures that were framed. I decided then to get into the framing business and worked for six months without any pay to learn the business. I probably went to every framing store in town to learn what worked and what didn’t, then took out a small loan with my mother and just went for it. We opened next to the University of Denver, and stayed there for 16 years until we bought a building on Broadway four years ago.
What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
Since the first day we opened 20 years ago, it has been a priority to give back to the community and get involved with as many business chambers, charities, and neighborhoods as possible. I really believe in the saying, what goes around comes around, and have tried to run all aspects of my business this way. We also stay ahead of the trends with the latest tools and designs available for the framing industry, such as a computerized matt cutter, and a visualization software that shows what your framing will look like before it is even framed.
What do you like best about your line of work?
Getting to meet all our incredible customers and framing what is important to them. Every day is a new opportunity to see what our clients will bring in to capture their memories. Whether it is a jersey from a favorite player, a family photo, or a large corporate order, there is always a special story behind the piece we are framing. Owning and operating a small business which allows to work on every part of our company is very rewarding, the sky is the limit. Making a difference in the community and our customers is very important to us.
What is your business’ biggest challenge?
The perception that the large chain frame stores “50 percent off coupons” are a better deal than ours, a smaller but very customer-friendly frame store, when in fact nine times out of 10, we are actually less expensive. I encourage people to go to those stores, and then come see us. They’ll see that our product is better quality, we provide a higher level of service, better turnaround time, and all-around better value.
Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
I opened Frame de Art in 1991, so we are celebrating our 20th year in business this March. Last year was our busiest year in 20 years, and were able to hire two more people even in this recession. We don’t take anything for granted and appreciate every day we are in business for the opportunity to help our customers. We have just been selected to do the framing for the governor’s inauguration.
Get the picture? Local frame shop is surviving
Denver Business Journal
Denver is loaded with sports fans. But perhaps no one is happier than Brian Hart when the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos or Colorado Rockies do well.
The teams’ officials and players, as well as their rabid followers, want to preserve memories of a great season. So they flock to Hart’s custom framing shop, Frame de art, to get all kinds of items framed so they can proudly display that jersey, ticket, whatever at home or at work.
Englewood Rotary honors Business Persons of the Year – Brian Hart.The Rotary Club of Englewood has named Brian Hart of Frame de Art and Brian and Mary Yaklich of LePeep as its Englewood Business Persons of the Year for 2010. The honor recognizes their prominent roles in the Englewood business community, as well as their generosity to charitable causes. They were honored at the weekly meeting of Englewood Rotary, July 28. “We selected Brian because he has built a very successful small business based on values that mirror those of Rotary,” said Englewood Rotary President Patty Burnett. “He is generous in his support of local charities, and he is a leader in the business community.
WINNER! Best Custom Framing in Denver, CO
There are so many reasons to have the Wizard mat cutter and IF Visualization Software. They allow me to be better than the competition, and offer many options to my customers. I have many repeat customers who want the same design time after time, and with my Wizard I can give it to them exactly the same, with a very quick set-up. Plus using IF Visualization to show a customer what their art will look like framed before it is actually framed creates excitement in the customer.
Before I got my Wizard CMC I had far fewer mat cutting options to offer my customers. I was not able to be as creative and not able to offer the exact same design at a later date. Read More
Denvers A-List
The Best of Denver’s 7 A-List features more than 3,900 of the Denver area’s best local businesses. Eligible businesses are nominated by readers and Winners are determined by popular vote. Frame de Art is proud to say we were voted Best Custom Framing Store in 2008 & Best Custom Framing store in 2009.
Denver 7Everyday Hero
The 7Everyday Hero Award is presented to Coloradans who are making a difference in their community. Brian Hart owner of Frame de Art won this honor for donating the framing of all the 7Everyday Hero certificates.
2009 Best Small Business – Englewood Colorado
We are proud to say Frame de Art was named Best Small Business of the year by the city of Englewood Colorado.
