I speak fron experiance because I just became a member of this family about four years ago. I started working for a commercial sign shop that produces the big boys like you see at malls and along the interstate, took me a year to get into the vinyl shop and then I started doing the computor work and became responsible for all the design work. That took two years. I had a pretty good artistic backround to go with it so the BASICS of design and layout came easy. Was I ready at that time to go out on my own like I wanted...HA! LOL! I got invited to Ron Percell's Micro Meet in Petaluma, California and had an eye opening revalation! Humble as I was with my shiny new paint kit and virgin brushes (Which are getting a little more use these days...) I came away with a new perspective that I could not have gottin from the place I worked at...and very few "Fast Vinyl" shops. While I'm not trying to play down the potentual of any Sign franchise, who may have some very talented and knowledgable people, they tend to be speed and production oriented and generally produce a limited display of signage. I tried to bring a little of what I had learned at the letterhead meets into the shop I was working at but was met with a resounding, "This is a production shop...we don't have time to build Grand Pianos!" At that point I new I had to get my own place. With a little push and advice from Ron & Kristi Percell, Fransico, Rick & Lola and many others I layed out a plan and just bit the bullit learning as much as I could for another year, and in April of last year our local Sign-O-Rama failed, and I was in a possision to purchase some of the remnants after the creditors got done with em'. I opened up my own store front about three miles down the road from my previous employer. DON'T BURN YOUR BRIDGES when you leave, cause they just might send ya work that they don't want to do or can't! It's getting close to my first aniversary and it has been a major struggle, I'm just now starting to get some of the accounts that I have hoped for. It helps that I also offer all kinds of screen printing along with the signage.

What is my point to this lon...g post. It takes a long time to get the word out and for people to get used to seeing what you can produce. I did take a few loyal clients with me when I left because they liked my work, and I also had a major job lined up, but that can only take you so far. You will suddenly become Chief Cook as well as Bottle Washer along with all the responsibilities that go with each of those clasifications. Now you gotta design it, produce it, sell it, document it and pay all the bills that go along with the ability to do all of this on your own. If you don't have a solid business plan or you faulter in any one of these areas...it will, more than likely spell disaster.

Intead of looking at what you have learned, look at what you haven't. Sit down with a piece of paper and right down ALL of the posible sign or product requests that could come through your door.
How many of them can you produce in a resonable amount of time. Remember customers don't like to be kept waiting for too long, and they generaly don't like to be turned away very often either!

It's a good idea to have a list of folks that can produce the things you can't and know that you can have a good professional relationship with; but if you find that your sending very much of your work out then maybe your not ready to be in business for yourself. Is it because your not licenced to do the install...find a good contractor that will work with you. You don't have the knowlede or experiance...find a way to learn and gain the experiance. Most importantly, make sure ya got a good backup plan! A real good starting point would be the Small Business Administration. They can realy help in all the areas that your about to get yourself into as well a financial assistance...in most cases it's free help! Hope this helps.

Not trying to scare anyone away from following their dreams...just make sure ya got a fighting chance before the leap! Robin

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: Robin Sharrard ]

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: Robin Sharrard ]

I had 5 month experience……and then I went on my own. My mentor was a raging alcoholic who knew jack **** about the sign business. Taught me how to cut letters and stick em to plastic board.

One day he said he was finished, packing it up and leaving. I said to myself “John…. here’s your opportunity to do something. So here I am 5 years later in the sign business, learning as I go. I can’t believe what I’ve been able to accomplish with just a little ambition, some perseverance and faith.

……..so the moral of the story is. “ you don’t have to know how, you just have to know that, that’s what you want to know…….ya know.