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

Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Fusion Sign Labz, as a locally owned and operated sign shop in Fort Collins, faces profitability challenges primarily because of competition with large-scale distributors. Here’s an explanation of why this occurs:

1. Price Competition
Large distributors operate on a national or global scale and benefit from economies of scale. They can purchase materials in bulk, streamline production processes, and automate services, allowing them to offer significantly lower prices than smaller, local businesses. Fusion Sign Labz, on the other hand, likely has higher per-unit costs, making it difficult to match these low prices while maintaining profitability. But offers a higher quality product in return and makes a personal connection with our customers.

2. We focus on relationships and community unlike large distributors, Fusion Sign Labz prioritizes building personal relationships with customers and fostering community engagement. This approach may include providing custom design consultations, spending more time on individual projects, and supporting local events or businesses. While this strategy creates loyal customers and strengthens community ties, it often means slower project turnover, increased labor costs, and sometimes lower profit margins compared to automated, high-volume production models.

3. Limited marketing and reach
large companies like VistaPrint invest heavily in online marketing, allowing them to reach a vast audience. Fusion Sign Labz may not have the budget for such extensive campaigns, relying instead on word-of-mouth, local advertising, or repeat customers. While effective in cultivating a loyal customer base, this limits the shop’s ability to scale quickly or attract new markets.

4. Custom Work vs. Standardization
Fusion Sign Labz focuses on providing customized, high-quality signage tailored to individual client needs. This process is more labor-intensive and time-consuming than the standardized options offered by larger distributors, which are designed for mass production. While custom work can command higher prices, it is harder to sustain consistent profitability without a steady stream of high-value orders.

5. Market expectations in an increasingly online world, many customers prioritize cost and convenience over personal service. Large distributors capitalize on this by offering quick turnarounds, online ordering, and discounts. Fusion Sign Labz’s emphasis on personal relationships and quality may not align with the expectations of price-sensitive customers, further limiting its competitive edge.

Balancing profitability and values
While focusing on community and relationships are valuable differentiators, Fusion Sign Labz explores ways to strike a balance between these values and profitability. Strategies could include:
– Offering tiered pricing to attract budget-conscious customers without sacrificing premium services.
– Investing in localized digital marketing to expand reach.
– Partnering with other local businesses to cross-promote services and create additional revenue streams.

This dual focus on community and business sustainability helps Fusion Sign Labz remain competitive while staying true to its values.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Fusion Sign Labz is a premier sign shop located in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 14 years of experience in crafting signs, graphics, and installations, we have established ourselves as a trusted provider of custom signage solutions in Northern Colorado.

Services Offered:

Fusion Sign Labz offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to enhance brand visibility:

Custom Signs: Specializing in dimensional letters, lobby signs, ADA-compliant, and directional signs, utilizing materials like wood, plastics, and metals to create unique designs.

Vehicle Wraps and Graphics: Providing tailored graphics and wraps for various vehicles, from single cars to entire fleets, including basic door decals to full wraps.

Graphic Design: Offering in-house graphic design services for creating new logos, revamping existing ones, and designing layouts for signage, graphics, and wraps.

Trade Show Displays: Supplying packages that include banners, tents, feather flags, table covers, and back-walls to enhance professional presence at events.

Real Estate Signs: Designing and creating signs suitable for both commercial and residential real estate needs.

Wall Graphics and Decals: Producing large-scale wall graphics or decals for interior and exterior applications, with custom design services to bring ideas to life.

Professional Installations: Experienced in installing various signage types, graphics, and lettering, fully insured for projects including vehicle wraps, cabinet signs, stand-off letters, banners, and channel letters.

Client Solutions and Differentiators:
Fusion Sign Labz addresses client needs by providing high-quality, customized signage solutions that help businesses stand out with bold designs and quality craftsmanship. Their in-house capabilities, including the use of a state-of-the-art Mimaki UCJV300-160 printer, allow them to print on materials up to 64 inches wide, producing stickers, labels, wall graphics, and vehicle wraps with precision.

What sets Fusion Sign Labz apart is our commitment to personalized service, leveraging extensive experience to deliver tailored solutions that meet specific client needs. Our focus on building relationships and community engagement ensures a collaborative approach to each project, fostering loyalty and trust within the local market.

Brand Highlights:

Potential clients should know that Fusion Sign Labz is dedicated to bringing visions to life through eye-catching signage and custom designs. Their comprehensive service offerings, combined with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, make them a go-to provider for businesses looking to enhance their brand presence in Northern Colorado.

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

Fusion Sign Labz has built a strong reputation in the Fort Collins market through several key factors:

1. Extensive Industry Experience

With over 14 years of expertise in crafting signs, graphics, and installations, Fusion Sign Labz has honed its skills to deliver high-quality products.

2. Hands-On Approach and Quality Commitment

The company’s hands-on approach, combined with deep industry knowledge and an unwavering dedication to quality, has been instrumental in shaping its reputation for excellence.

3. Founding Principles Rooted in Creativity and Service

Founded by a first responder and a graphic designer, Fusion Sign Labz merges creativity with brand visibility, aiming to produce impactful signage solutions that tell a captivating story.

4. Positive Customer Feedback

The company has received numerous five-star reviews, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality products.

These elements collectively contribute to Fusion Sign Labz’s esteemed reputation within the northern Colorado market.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team effectively and maintaining high morale requires strong leadership that fosters trust, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Here’s some advice on how we achieve this, especially by focusing on the importance of explaining the “why”:

1. Lead with Clarity and Vision
– Clearly communicate your vision and the goals of the team or organization.
– Share the “why” behind decisions, projects, and tasks to help team members understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
– Example: Instead of saying, “We need to meet this deadline,” explain, “Meeting this deadline ensures our clients trust us and that we can secure future projects.”

2. Foster Open Communication
– Encourage feedback and discussions, creating a safe environment where team members feel heard.
– Be transparent about challenges and successes; this builds trust and helps align everyone with the mission.
– Example: Regular team check-ins where you openly discuss progress and invite input can keep morale high.

3. Empower and Trust Your Team
– Delegate tasks effectively, showing confidence in their abilities.
– Provide opportunities for growth and allow team members to take ownership of their responsibilities.
– Example: “I trust you to take the lead on this project because your expertise and ideas will make it successful.”

4. Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small
– Recognize individual and team accomplishments to boost morale and show appreciation.
– Tailor recognition to the individual’s preferences (public shout-outs, private notes, etc.).
– Example: Acknowledge efforts during team meetings or send a personal message: “Your attention to detail was crucial in making this project a success.”

5. Be a Servant Leader
– Focus on supporting your team rather than directing them.
– Ask what they need to succeed and remove obstacles in their way.
– Example: “How can I help you overcome challenges to meet this goal?”

6. Model Resilience and Positivity
– Show steadiness and optimism, especially during tough times. Your attitude can set the tone for the team.
– Example: “This challenge is tough, but I’m confident in our team’s ability to find solutions.”

7. Invest in Relationships and Team Culture
– Build trust by getting to know your team members as individuals.
– Foster a sense of community and belonging through team-building activities or informal conversations.
– Example: Hold occasional team lunches or celebrate milestones together.

8. Explain the “Why” Regularly
– When assigning tasks or implementing changes, always explain the reason behind them.
– Connect their work to larger goals, showing its importance and impact.
– Example: “By refining this process, we’re not just saving time—we’re ensuring our customers have a seamless experience, which builds loyalty and trust.”

9. Provide Consistent Feedback and Opportunities for Growth
– Offer constructive feedback that focuses on improvement, not criticism.
– Provide learning opportunities, mentoring, and support to help team members grow professionally.
– Example: “You’ve done great on this project. Let’s build on this by expanding your role in the next phase.”

10. Be Fair and Consistent
– Treat everyone with respect and fairness to build trust and maintain morale.
– Be consistent in how you enforce rules and handle issues to avoid creating resentment.
– Example: Apply policies and distribute workloads equitably across the team.

By focusing on explaining the “why” and fostering a supportive, communicative, and purpose-driven environment, you can maintain high morale and lead your team to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.fusionsignlabz.com
• Instagram: @fusion_sign_labz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17iywQQAgs/?mibextid=wwXIfr