Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Wong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Allison, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I believe college can be a great path for some, but it’s certainly not the only—or even the best—path for everyone. Society often pushes the idea that higher education is the key to success, but when you look at the numbers, the majority of millionaires never went to college. Instead, they learned valuable skills, took risks, and found ways to create opportunities for themselves.

At its core, college is another business—one designed to make money off students. While it does offer valuable life lessons such as independence, responsibility, and time management, the extreme cost of attending most universities is vastly disproportionate to the job security or financial success that follows. Many graduates leave school burdened with debt and without a clear career path, thrown into a system that pushes them into the rat race, living paycheck to paycheck.

What I wish the education system focused on more is real-life skills from an early age. Instead of just algebra and history, students should be taught how to manage money, do their taxes, invest wisely, clean and organize effectively, and set themselves up for financial freedom. Imagine if young people entered adulthood already equipped with the knowledge to avoid debt, budget properly, and build wealth instead of being pushed into financial struggle as the default.

My personal college experience was positive—I went on a scholarship, graduated with a degree, and learned a lot along the way. But here’s the kicker: my degree has never once helped me in my career or increased my earning potential. Everything I’ve built, I’ve done through experience, self-education, and real-world problem-solving—not because of a classroom.

It’s time we stop treating college as the only path to success and start teaching young people how to create their own success early on.

Allison, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Signs616: Affordable, Effective, and Custom Advertising Solutions
For those who may not have heard of Signs616, we specialize in portable sign rentals, banners, yard signs, custom vinyl, magnets, handhelds, and more—providing businesses and individuals with affordable, eye-catching advertising solutions that help them stand out.

How I Got Into This Business
I took over Signs616 in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in a commission-based job at the time, I knew I needed a more stable and hands-on opportunity. Knowing the owner of Signs616, I knew the portable sign business, would be a perfect fit. It all started when the owner’s father purchased ten portable black signs from out of state 20+years ago, brought them back to Michigan, and with his kids, began going door-to-door, offering businesses a simple yet effective way to get noticed. Over the years, the business grew, and today we have over 100 signs in our inventory, along with a wide range of custom signage solutions.

What We Offer & The Problems We Solve
At Signs616, we provide temporary portable signs for businesses looking to advertise sales, grand openings, special events, or any other message they’d like. But we don’t stop there—we also offer custom banners, vinyl signage, yard signs, magnets, and other signage solutions that help businesses establish their identity and attract more customers.

A major challenge many businesses face is visibility—especially smaller businesses that don’t have huge marketing budgets. That’s where we come in. Our signs are affordable, flexible, and effective, making them a great option for anyone who needs to grab attention without committing to expensive long-term advertising. We also work closely with each customer to find the best solution for their specific needs and budget.

What Sets Us Apart
Personalized Service: We operate on a small scale, meaning every customer gets individualized attention. We work with you to tailor the perfect signage solution for your needs.
Quick Turnaround: We rarely miss a deadline and pride ourselves on fast, efficient service.
Creative & Custom Designs: With my background in graphic design, I enjoy coming up with unique, eye-catching signage that not only gets the job done but also looks great.
Decades of Experience: We’ve navigated the ups and downs of the economy, changes in permit enforcement, and evolving advertising trends for over 20 years—and we’re still here helping businesses thrive.

What I’m Most Proud Of
One of the most rewarding parts of running Signs616 is seeing my designs out in the real world—whether it’s a banner promoting a grand opening, a fun custom yard sign, or a portable sign bringing attention to a small business. Knowing that our work helps businesses grow and get noticed is something I take a lot of pride in.

What I Want Our Customers to Know
At Signs616, we’re not just another sign company—we’re a local business dedicated to helping other businesses succeed. Whether you need a temporary rental sign or a fully customized advertising solution, we’re here to make the process easy, affordable, and effective. We work hard to ensure clear communication, so there are no surprises, and we’re always happy to help businesses express their unique personality through great signage.

If you need a cost-effective way to get noticed, Signs616 has you covered! 🚀

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

At Signs616, our attention to detail and close relationships with our customers set us apart. We take the time to understand each client’s unique needs, ensuring that every sign, banner, or custom design is crafted with precision and care. From the very first conversation, we strive to set clear expectations, providing transparent pricing, realistic timelines, and tailored solutions that align with their goals. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we work closely with every client to ensure they are happy with the final product. As the first and original portable sign company in our state, we’ve been helping businesses and individuals get noticed for over 20 years, always delivering affordable, high-impact signage that meets their needs. Since day one, our mission has been to provide reliable, effective advertising solutions to our community, and we take pride in the trust and long-term relationships we’ve built along the way.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for Signs616 has always been referrals and word of mouth. While our temporary signs do a great job of getting noticed when they’re out being rented by businesses—essentially serving as advertising for us as well—our strongest growth comes from satisfied customers who keep coming back and recommending us to others. Many of our clients are repeat customers who have trusted us for years, and a large portion of new business comes from business owners who saw our signs in action and heard firsthand how effective they are. When a business finds success using our signage, they naturally spread the word, and that kind of recommendation is more valuable than any marketing campaign. We’re proud that our reputation is built on trust, quality service, and proven results, and we strive to continue earning that trust with every project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.signs616.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signs616
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Signs616
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/signs616/posts/?feedView=all
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@signs616?lang=en