I think the key to scaling up is being innovative. When we first opened Signs by Design we were timid. We would turn away jobs because they were not in our wheelhouse. For example, we designed a logo for a client with a new business, designed and printed business cards, vehicle graphics for their cars, a Now Open banner and signs for their new location. Then they came back to us needing a website and we told them we did not do websites. After turning away several jobs to design websites, we hired an employee that knew code and started designing websites. I also turned away a lot of printing jobs that were too big for us to print on our smaller digital printer. Now, one of my biggest clients comes to me to print their teaching books and study guides. I found a company with a larger format printer and outsourced the printing to them. I do the design work and page layout for the books, and another company prints them for me, keeping all this business in-house. So that really became an important piece for my business; finding ways to provide all of the products and services my clients need so they did not go elsewhere.

A second reason we are much bigger today than when we started is one simple rule; treat everyone like they are your next biggest client. You never know where your next job will come from, and years ago our biggest job to date came from a referral from our mail lady. She was not our client, she delivered our mail, but we treated her well and she connected us to one of our biggest clients to date. Whom, I might add, is still a client.

A third key factor to growing your business is to get involved in the community. Join your local Chamber of Commerce, attend networking groups, get involved with your Church and schools. All of the people you come into contact at those places/events will become your friend and friends refer your business. I run a business where people spend a lot of money on my products and services. A referral from a trusted friend goes a long way. A lot longer than a google review.

And finally, read and research, know what is happening in the world around you. Is your town growing? Are new businesses relocating or opening up in your area? Don’t be complacent. Knowledge is power. Educate yourself everyday. Know what is going on by reading your local paper, following other businesses social media pages, attending city council and school board meetings. Challenge yourself to find new business avenues everyday. I just read my local paper this morning and found that a grant was issued to a local non profit in my town looking to build a historical museum. When asked how they would be spending the grant money, they replied mostly on signage, because they want people to know where they are and what they are doing. So I contacted them and I have secured another job today.

Signs by Design is not just a sign company; although that is our primary product, we also do graphic design, websites, vehicle graphics, and printing.

We are a family run business with a focus on building relationships and our client base through with high quality products at economical prices while providing excellent customer service. Our clients are our friends and family and other “Mom and Pop shops” in our community. Our reputation is extremely important because everyone knows everyone here.

Our employees are also a huge part of our success and our growth. Our office manager has been with us for fifteen years. I have also had an employee work for me for 5 years, take a break and have 2 children and then once they were school age, come back to work. When employees feel valued, supported, and motivated, they are more likely to be engaged in their work, be productive, and contribute positively to the company’s success and that has always rang true in the history of Signs by Design.