2006 was a banner year for my family business Sign Man, Inc. in Melbourne, Fl. Unfortunately, by the end of the year I was completely drained and wanted nothing more to do with the sign business! I was so desperate to find some peace & solitude in my life that I purchased a home in the middle of the woods, sight unseen, over the internet! In retrospect it sure sounds like mid-life crisis to me! After 4 months of communing with nature to the point of hallucination, I started to think about my future.... What can I do where I can incorporate my advertising background & 15 year sign experience. Where I can be creative & passionate while helping small businesses position themselves in the marketplace. Duh? A sign company - thus the birth of Action Signs & Designs! I'm the newbie sign company in this market and having such a challenge acclimating to the area. Any input would be helpful??? To keep my spirits up I go through a list of gratitudes every morning: #1 A huge thank you to my brother Pat Neve for his teaching style. It goes something like this, "I'll tell you, I'll show you, but you have to do it." it has served me well the last couple of months. #2 My father, a 50+ year veteran of this business. His words always ring true "whatever you do, don't defer from the basic sign layout principals & then you won't go wrong." This to has served me over and over. #3 A huge hug goes out to letterville member Donald Thompson of #1 Sign Designs in Laurens, SC. He has come to my rescue a number of times over the last few months. Thank you Donald! #4 Chris Shuster's "before & after" gallery always brightens my day and gives me hope and inspiration. www.bgdsign.com #5 Much gratitude to Steve & Barb for creating Letterville and this platform for creative expression. Sorry so long.....guess I had alot to say! Any insights would be appreciated.
Oh, I also need a good come back line.....seems my accent sticks out like a sore thumb in this neck of the woods. I get the usual where are you from? I reply, originally from New York but I did spend the last 20 yrs. in Florida.....Oh, so you're a half-back (half way back to NY)....is this an insult? Need a good come back....
I've been humbled......and then some.
Colleen Jones Action Signs & Designs Mauldin, SC a little town outside Greenville, SC
Posted by Ryan Culbertson (Member # 7560) on :
Welcome to SC
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
We'll hafta meet at the next Dixie Meet event...Wherever/whenever that'll be. Welcome to our "family" Colleen! (And U are a "Dixie (Letterhead)Chic")
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Here's line number 6 : people will buy what you display. So organize your showroom with nothing but the best you can produce and don't hesitate to replace the samples as your skills evolve ( and leave the rest aside )...Make clients go WOW when they enter, you'll save 20 years of shootin' your mouth about it !
...and 7, attend letterhead meets ! good investment....for now !
