Stringing workshop in Bangkok, Thailand Head Tennis HQ

[Smittithekitty]

I would thank everyone who supported us since the whole WTT event last summer and giving us ideas/tips/tricks on how to have the best experience for the players/clients, but mainly keep us out of trouble/headaches

Mains & X has been very fortunate to have many leading experts and guidances from this forum (good or negative haha)

The fact that I am up at 2AM on the 26th of Jan 2019 and besides the jet lag. Today at 10AM we will be running a workshop for Head Tennis Bangkok, Thailand.

Might come as sappy, but honestly look at how amazing this group is... Everyone knows our regulars here on string tech/ stringing machines threads. We do have some good times and bad times but we are all here for the same passion and love of stringing.

9 years ago, preweaving wasn't even on my mind and now having a freaking sold out event in the native country where my parents were born is amazing.

I would just like to once again thank all the supportive members of this group. We wouldn't be here because of you. This is a WIN for all STRINGERS out there. Specially, those who started off as home stringers. We are now raising the awareness and value of our skills. We hope to make everyone proud during these events.

We are taking over all Head Tennis Bangkok, Thailand social media outlet but mainly Facebook live and of course our IG, FB, YouTube live if anyone want to support it will be streaming LIVE at 10AM (GMT 7) (12 hrs difference EST). 3 hrs course obviously a history/brand section, look and learn and business marketing for the south east asian region. We will be showing off the Head TE-3300 tournament stringing machine and exclusive deal options for our ticket holders and possible buyers.

Just like the WTT event. We will have write up on the event in details so I cant wait to tell you guys all about it.

Definately, we know that we are not the most highly qualified stringers by all means. However, they saw something in our missions and this is a win for those out there inspiring to become the best they can be.

MY TT FAMILY
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
We are living proof

Thank you everyone
Smitti Mains & X

 

[Smittithekitty]

quick summary from event

26Jan19 Saturday
0900- Reach Head Tennis HQ in Bangkok, Thailand Sukhumvit 13 around Nana station.
Head representatives are prepping the area and getting the right lighting and camera view. The office was in a square setting with a glass private meeting room right as soon as you come through the front door. There was a display of current Head items in the front and leading to the back where the office desk were.

0945- Guest/Ticket holders are arriving and i recognized 2 since I had some interaction with them via social media. We had mostly those who were Tennis Pros and Business owners who were interested in purchasing the Head TE-3300. Was lucky to have one Female Tennis Pro who just came back from AO19 after her Jr got knocked out of the 2nd round.

1015- Late start, we had a couple stragglers and made the total count of the guest 16. We were planning for 20, but some either cancel last min or whatever. This was my first time with an paid audiences and did not really know how it was go. Started off as normal thanking the sponsors and guest for investing their time with Mains&X on a Saturday morning. Started to talk about my life and how we started. I think we all can relate to some hardship in life and struggles, so we had the attention grasped within our story.

1045- After understanding our background we felt they were more engaged and started to ask questions. This point we went into the look and learn portion of the event. The machine was the Head TE-3300 a very sleek machine with a matte black finish. Chrome accents and looking very Bruce Wayne like.
Machine off the back was well made and smooth. If one thing we can change it would be those fat & old school type clamp. Such a shame for a solid tournament grade machine that the clamps are stuck in the 90s in design.
We had 3 racquets to string and demo
1. Speed Pro- Head Hawk Touch
2. MXG 5- MLT
3. Radical S- Lynx/Syn Guy

We did a 2 piece demo, 1 piece ATW and Hybrid. we didn’t get super technical as this was a look and learn. The real reason for this class was mainly for Machine Sales versus Stringing. we wanted to leave room for a Specialized Class that focused on the smaller details for those who wanted training.

1400- After breaks between racquets we had Q&A on both machine and stringing. Many great questions but of course the number 1 concern was profitability. This part was mostly taken over by the Head Team and they had many options of terms for payment and process.
option 1: Cash payment outright which converted to USD around 4727$. 3 year warranty and $1,000 USD worth of strings.
option 2: Payment plan 8 monthly payment
Price of machine with this option $4950 USD
option 3: this option was amazing as you can come to Head HQ and rent the machine and if you decide ending up wanting tompull the trigger the money spent on rent goes towards the machine.

1500- Closing and taking photos.
we ended up making 3 deals which I was very happy! 2 Bought the machines on Terms and 1 bought cash. 2 of the buyers are tennis pros who wanted to start their business and 1 was a home stringer and has many tennis friends and family.

conclusion
I found out that at least in Bangkok, Thailand that the majority of the tennis players even at the pro level has very lack of knowledge of stringing and racquet customizing. Labor is very cheap as the average stringing service for same day racquet is $3.50 per racquet. However the average price of a pack of Luxilon ALU Power is $28, however that includes stringing. we can say that the string is expensive here but the labor is low. which means stringer are mostly hourly waged employees (***** sport and big box).
With my class I was able to show them how important strings are and value of a well trained stringer.

My personal focus is to bring up the value and awareness world wide for our profession. I believe those who came to the class now have an undersrand and now can justify charge double and investing in a great machine. Knowing that there are many people out there willing to pay you for your experience and value.

We also later that day we had an evening session Yonex Thailand. They heard we were in town and wanted us to help with their Pro Tech8 sales so we did a 2 hour quick demo and Took over their Facebook Live account. One guest came in got their racquet strung when he found out we were there and just drove to Yonex HQ in Bangna Bangkok Thailand.
Photo of Mr. Sam and his media crew (Tennis Media Thailand )

Amazing experience
Made multiple networking connections aa many of the pros came from other provinces and wanted us in the future to come talk at their academy.

SINCE we are in great terms with Head and Yonex we are planning to possible stringing their next event here in Bangkok in the near future.

We are a business and we never hold back our experiences and info. Many would not disclose numbers but I feel that if we informed you about the numbers it might be an encouragement for those looking to do the same.

OUR APPREANCE FEE $250 (Event Holder paid)
Personal Tickets sold $300 (Personal ticket sales 6x$50)
Accommodations $100 (Travel, Food and etc...)

$650 is Not a bad day for 6 hours of fun (not work)

My focus has become more of motivational speaking and marketing vs the stringing side. Having experience does help 95% of cause however that 5% for closing is crucial. People want the experience vs a class. Something personal.
Hope this Inspires at least someone looking to do the same.

 

[steve s]

quick summary from event

26Jan19 Saturday
0900- Reach Head Tennis HQ in Bangkok, Thailand Sukhumvit 13 around Nana station.
Head representatives are prepping the area and getting the right lighting and camera view. The office was in a square setting with a glass private meeting room right as soon as you come through the front door. There was a display of current Head items in the front and leading to the back where the office desk were.

0945- Guest/Ticket holders are arriving and i recognized 2 since I had some interaction with them via social media. We had mostly those who were Tennis Pros and Business owners who were interested in purchasing the Head TE-3300. Was lucky to have one Female Tennis Pro who just came back from AO19 after her Jr got knocked out of the 2nd round.

1015- Late start, we had a couple stragglers and made the total count of the guest 16. We were planning for 20, but some either cancel last min or whatever. This was my first time with an paid audiences and did not really know how it was go. Started off as normal thanking the sponsors and guest for investing their time with Mains&X on a Saturday morning. Started to talk about my life and how we started. I think we all can relate to some hardship in life and struggles, so we had the attention grasped within our story.

1045- After understanding our background we felt they were more engaged and started to ask questions. This point we went into the look and learn portion of the event. The machine was the Head TE-3300 a very sleek machine with a matte black finish. Chrome accents and looking very Bruce Wayne like.
Machine off the back was well made and smooth. If one thing we can change it would be those fat & old school type clamp. Such a shame for a solid tournament grade machine that the clamps are stuck in the 90s in design.
We had 3 racquets to string and demo
1. Speed Pro- Head Hawk Touch
2. MXG 5- MLT
3. Radical S- Lynx/Syn Guy

We did a 2 piece demo, 1 piece ATW and Hybrid. we didn’t get super technical as this was a look and learn. The real reason for this class was mainly for Machine Sales versus Stringing. we wanted to leave room for a Specialized Class that focused on the smaller details for those who wanted training.

1400- After breaks between racquets we had Q&A on both machine and stringing. Many great questions but of course the number 1 concern was profitability. This part was mostly taken over by the Head Team and they had many options of terms for payment and process.
option 1: Cash payment outright which converted to USD around 4727$. 3 year warranty and $1,000 USD worth of strings.
option 2: Payment plan 8 monthly payment
Price of machine with this option $4950 USD
option 3: this option was amazing as you can come to Head HQ and rent the machine and if you decide ending up wanting tompull the trigger the money spent on rent goes towards the machine.

1500- Closing and taking photos.
we ended up making 3 deals which I was very happy! 2 Bought the machines on Terms and 1 bought cash. 2 of the buyers are tennis pros who wanted to start their business and 1 was a home stringer and has many tennis friends and family.

conclusion
I found out that at least in Bangkok, Thailand that the majority of the tennis players even at the pro level has very lack of knowledge of stringing and racquet customizing. Labor is very cheap as the average stringing service for same day racquet is $3.50 per racquet. However the average price of a pack of Luxilon ALU Power is $28, however that includes stringing. we can say that the string is expensive here but the labor is low. which means stringer are mostly hourly waged employees (***** sport and big box).
With my class I was able to show them how important strings are and value of a well trained stringer.

My personal focus is to bring up the value and awareness world wide for our profession. I believe those who came to the class now have an undersrand and now can justify charge double and investing in a great machine. Knowing that there are many people out there willing to pay you for your experience and value.

We also later that day we had an evening session Yonex Thailand. They heard we were in town and wanted us to help with their Pro Tech8 sales so we did a 2 hour quick demo and Took over their Facebook Live account. One guest came in got their racquet strung when he found out we were there and just drove to Yonex HQ in Bangna Bangkok Thailand.
Photo of Mr. Sam and his media crew (Tennis Media Thailand )

Amazing experience
Made multiple networking connections aa many of the pros came from other provinces and wanted us in the future to come talk at their academy.

SINCE we are in great terms with Head and Yonex we are planning to possible stringing their next event here in Bangkok in the near future.

We are a business and we never hold back our experiences and info. Many would not disclose numbers but I feel that if we informed you about the numbers it might be an encouragement for those looking to do the same.

OUR APPREANCE FEE $250 (Event Holder paid)
Personal Tickets sold $300 (Personal ticket sales 6x$50)
Accommodations $100 (Travel, Food and etc...)

$650 is Not a bad day for 6 hours of fun (not work)

My focus has become more of motivational speaking and marketing vs the stringing side. Having experience does help 95% of cause however that 5% for closing is crucial. People want the experience vs a class. Something personal.
Hope this Inspires at least someone looking to do the same.

 

[steve s]

Have been living in Chiang Mia and had not heard about this event. How was it
Advertised????

 

[Smittithekitty]

Have been living in Chiang Mia and had not heard about this event. How was it
Advertised????

No way, however Chiang Mai is a couple klicks away. It was posted via tennis group Thailand forum via Facebook. We are in the works with Babolat Thailand as we want to be the official stringer for the WTA Hua Hin Open. We were a bit too late but I believe next year we can get there. If you follow Head Tennis Thailand they had advertised this event for a month because this was very impromptu. Sam Tennis Talk is a very popular social media Thai tennis influencers who is covering and booking our appreance with various brand in Thailand such as Head, Yonex, Babolat and Solinco Thailand.
We have a huge project in the coming months. We might be back again this summer.
Are you retired or working here in Thailand?

 

[steve s]

No way, however Chiang Mai is a couple klicks away. It was posted via tennis group Thailand forum via Facebook. We are in the works with Babolat Thailand as we want to be the official stringer for the WTA Hua Hin Open. We were a bit too late but I believe next year we can get there. If you follow Head Tennis Thailand they had advertised this event for a month because this was very impromptu. Sam Tennis Talk is a very popular social media Thai tennis influencers who is covering and booking our appreance with various brand in Thailand such as Head, Yonex, Babolat and Solinco Thailand.
We have a huge project in the coming months. We might be back again this summer.
Are you retired or working here in Thailand?

Am working, and go down to Bangkok twice a month, or as needed to meet with clients.

Wish you good luck

No way, however Chiang Mai is a couple klicks away. It was posted via tennis group Thailand forum via Facebook. We are in the works with Babolat Thailand as we want to be the official stringer for the WTA Hua Hin Open. We were a bit too late but I believe next year we can get there. If you follow Head Tennis Thailand they had advertised this event for a month because this was very impromptu. Sam Tennis Talk is a very popular social media Thai tennis influencers who is covering and booking our appreance with various brand in Thailand such as Head, Yonex, Babolat and Solinco Thailand.
We have a huge project in the coming months. We might be back again this summer.
Are you retired or working here in Thailand?

getting into Hua Hin.

 

[Sixpointone]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations!

 

[Notirouswithag]

Your my boy blue.

Glad to see you doing big things! I still need to pick your brains when you get back