Bonsai Connect

[Owen Reich]

Hello all, @Bonsainut was kind enough to allow me to post this.

It's my pleasure to announce the launch of a new website called Bonsai Connect. This service will allow bonsai professionals and bonsai vendors to connect with the bonsai community on a personal level using Skype, FaceTime, and other platforms.
Simply create an account, and schedule an appointment. Rates are drastically cheaper than hiring a bonsai professional to visit you, and especially good if you have a handful of questions requiring an objective opinion. I had the idea for this in 2012, but it was not until I teamed up with Alvaro Arciniegas that this became possible. Big thanks to Adam LaVail of MeridianSix as well for his web design help.
Post-visit follow-ups or container selection may warrant a 15 minute session, while branch selection and styling help will require a longer session or two.
Any bonsai professionals or vendors interested in providing this service can contact us via the site.

While forums are excellent for feedback and some questions, having the direct contact with a bonsai professional or a dedicated tour of a bonsai nursery has real value. This is especially good for those of you far removed from a large city where instructors and vendors are hard to visit.

Check out the site. Sooner than later, there will be pics of people on there other than just me .
Bonsai Consultation Service

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Sounds like a great idea to improve the world of bonsai!!

 

[Owen Reich]

I've done health checkups on collections, styling after a client fully wired a tree, container selection (I also sold a few pots), etc during beta testing. It works super well as long as you don't try to point to something through the computer screen .

 

[sorce]

You are an inspiring Character!

No need to Wish Success!

It is Imminent!

Nice!

Sorce

 

[rockm]

Way to go Owen. This is pretty cool!

 

[my nellie]

This is really an excellent idea!
And progressive of course!
I wish you success and I hope that renown professional will honor your project.

 

[Owen Reich]

I have four pros / vendors in the works now to offer their services. Thanks for all the support.

I'll dream up a contest soon so someone can win a consult. Perhaps a photo contest of novel displays. Will give it some thought.

 

[JudyB]

This is a great and much needed platform. Not everyone is a one size fits all video class convert, this seems like a great way to get the information you need for your specific collection. Do you schedule sessions with particular person, or is the best suited for the climate/tree in question take the session?

 

[Lazylightningny]

Owen, do you simply schedule an appointment, like going to the doctor?

 

[Owen Reich]

At some point I’d like to have a few specialists for tropicals, deciduous, and conifers. Wild tree collectors and container vendors can use the service to connect with clients live.

You create a profile so your contact info is saved (Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc), then select length of consult. Available time slots will show up on a calendar, and you just pick when you want the call to take place.

Then, you add in the booking any major questions, concerns, or goals so that the call is not dominated with introductions to issues. You can also upload photos and videos of your trees. This allows me or others to prepare information, study the trees, photoshop container options to show you, etc.
At this time, I am the only pro with an account, but there will be 4-6 other choices in the coming months. Vendors will also offer the service, so you can have their undivided attention explaining products, showing you sales items live, etc.

 

[M. Frary]

This sounds pretty cool.

 

[JudyB]

You can also upload photos and videos of your trees. This allows me or others to prepare information, study the trees, photoshop container options to show you, etc.

SNAP! how smart is this idea.
I think that if the vendor sells you an item maybe you could get a slight discount on the session...

 

[defra]

Nice great idea owen !

 

[discusmike]

Great idea!!!

 

[Owen Reich]

SNAP! how smart is this idea.
I think that if the vendor sells you an item maybe you could get a slight discount on the session...

I have so much more respect for software engineers now that I know what they have to do for a button or some other process to work (especially sending out the automated text message reminders for upcoming sessions).

Not a bad idea. Perhaps one day.

 

[BigBen]

Excellent idea, indeed.

 

[sorce]

I have so much more respect for software engineers

You reckon they ever wired a Tosho?

Sorce