What could be better than starting a business with your best friend? &uot;Not much&uot; say Kathy Oothoudt and Sandy Peterson, who started their own business, Picture This, in October. But having it be more successful than they imagined has helped.

“We’d always wanted to go into business together,” Oothoudt said. Laughing, she recalled their first plan for a business. “Sandy and I had an idea in the ’70s to open a Subway restaurant, but we didn’t do it.”

Twenty some years later they came up with is a very unique business. Together they put on parties at people’s houses and give presentations on their products: stationery cards which are picture frames. But they aren’t exactly Avon ladies. Instead they are pioneering a new way of doing business for a multi-million dollar stationery company called Winthrop Co.

The company is very supportive of the two women, and is hoping the way in which Picture This is merchandising will open doors for a new way in which they sell their products. Until Peterson and Oothoudt asked about the business possibility, Winthrop had just focused on mass merchandising and sales.

Peterson’s sister works for Winthrop in Plymouth, Mass., a stationary company which makes a gift and stationary line of cards, collectibles and picture frames.

“One day we (Peterson and Oothoudt) were driving in the car to Rochester and we got a call from (my sister),” Peterson said. It was early May of 2002. “We started talking about the possibility of doing this and got really excited about it.”

Soon after, the dream became a reality.

In October they began their home parties, showing their cards to groups of friends, neighbors, and anyone else who was interested.

The products they sell are cards that are made out of a very thick, high quality paper. Some have themes for holidays and events, others are general. Each holds a picture.

“What we sell are (Winthrop’s) photo mounts. We have them for mail aways or for display,” Peterson said. The mounts are durable and surprisingly homely. The frames are designed so they might look good over a fireplace, on a desk, or on top of a shelf.

“It’s a very easy and inexpensive way to frame your pictures,” said Oothoudt. Most of the frames are less than $5.

Outhoudt and Peterson say they first just thought they’d show the cards and frames to friends because they thought they were great products. Soon everyone wanted to see the cards.

The two are hopeful that businesses like themselves will sprout up in other communities.

“As of the first of the year we will be teaching people how to give these presentations,” said Peterson.

Their idea for marketing Winthrop’s products will take the two to Los Angeles for an industry trade show, where they will present on their mercandising plan.

So far the business has done better than expected, according to Oothoudt. But the best part, both agree, is working together. Best friends for 30 years, Oothoudt and Peterson are just genes away from being sisters.

Each of them said over and over that working together was the best part about their business. They want to keep it up for a long time.

“We hope to have this go as far as it will take us,” Peterson said. &uot;It’s just been a great experience.&uot;