I love it when two seemingly unrelated subjects suddenly converge into a whole new idea. Especially when that new idea becomes a product I can sell. 

Before I begin, I need to share a bit of backstory. 

For the Birds

Combining two separate interests led to creating a souvenir birdhouse in the style of a beloved music venue.  

By: Shon Roti

(Originally published in the September/October 2022 issue of Insights.)

I love it when two seemingly unrelated subjects suddenly converge into a whole new idea. Especially when that new idea becomes a product I can sell. 

Before I begin, I need to share a bit of backstory. 

In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small city I have called home for more than three decades, one can find good live music at just about every restaurant, bar and coffee house. But in the late ’80s and ’90s, venues with live music were rare. And if you wanted to hear local musicians, there was only one place to go—the Pomp Room. 

The carpets were sticky, the plumbing was in disrepair, and the cigarette smoke was so thick it was difficult to see the bands. And people loved it.  

Those folks who dared to venture into the sketchy part of town to see their favorite bands play at the Pomp Room left the venue with fond memories. Those that did not visit now wish they had. The Pomp Room hosted its final show in 1998. The building was demolished in 2000 to make room for a parking ramp. It’s a story that sadly resembles Joni Mitchell’s song, “Paved Paradise.”  

I was among the many who ventured, and I often reflect with friends about our shared experiences. It’s where I listened to blues artists like Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Walter Trout and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Good times. 

Recently, a group of nostalgic and talented folks created a documentary about this regional and legendary music venue. It will premiere soon, and Sioux Falls is buzzing with excitement.  

Separately, my wife and I have begun attracting the local bird population to our backyard by hanging bird feeders around the patio. My mother-in-law (an avid bird watcher) took notice of our ornithological efforts and gave us a book about unique birdhouse constructions (Figure A).  

Some of the book’s examples include birdhouses that resemble log cabins, Dutch windmills, rockets, cuckoo clocks and a Frank Lloyd Wright ranch house. It’s a hoot. 

So my instinct was to mashup these disparate elements into a product that I can market—The Pomp Birdroom (Figure B). 

The Build

I started with a search for venue photos online. (I knew I had a photo of me in front of the Pomp Room from the mid-1990s but finding this artifact would be another story.) Luckily, 
I found an image online and used CorelDRAW to recreate the look of the entrance of the building (Figure C). Using a reference guide from the bird book, I calculated the size of the birdhouse and the size of the opening to attract a smaller variety of bird, like a finch or chickadee. Then, using CorelDRAW again, I made the necessary vector lines for cutting out the walls, floor and top (Figure D). The material used is birch plywood and can be sourced at the nearest home improvement center or online, if necessary. I had some leftover cedar shingles that worked handily as a roof for the birdhouse, ensuring that the birds would keep dry while also protecting the structure from wind, rain and sun. 

After vector-cutting the parts of the birdhouse from the birch plywood, I used a few wood tools, wood scraps (as inside support), wood glue, screws and nails to create the overall structure (Figure E). Tools and materials are shown in Figure F. 

The last step was no less important than the idea itself or the construction: marketing the birdhouse. I uploaded the image onto social media to create some interest with my followers and friends, then pitched the product to my existing clients that own local gift shops.  

Creating unique gifts like the local souvenir birdhouse feeds my creative bucket. I also understand the demographic for this product: a Sioux Falls resident of a certain age that may no longer go to as many concerts but, like my wife and me, spends more time watching birds in their backyard, reminiscing about their memorable experiences. 

Every city, town and village has a history and a story to tell. That history is almost always linked to personal experiences—experiences that customers can connect with through a nostalgic souvenir. Whether it’s a t-shirt, coffee cup, hat or a birdhouse, our industry is designed to fill that need.  

Learn More

Request the files used to create this structure via email at shon@sublimationconsultant.com.