I'm about 7 years into my sign career. This year I started an automotive detailing businesses to keep up with cost of living (No raises in sign industry wouldn't you know). Business was great until the winter hit! Now I'm going to pivot and put my sign skills to work. Wish me luck, it's really hard to break into the custom manufacturing space (signs), I've tried twice before. Probably just as saturated as auto detailing! But now that I finally got a business off the ground (5th attempt), I have a little more wisdom now.
Best of luck to you, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me. We also have had ups and downs but always found a way to make it work and live a comfortable life in the sign industry. You need to focus on what you do best and advertise that, the rest of the small stuff will fill in over time.
@@TheSignGuy I appreciate it! I do enjoy sign making and small format printing (my old man was a printer). I'd be more thrilled to make some signs in my free time as opposed to detailing filthy cars in the cold, but I just don't know how to get the clients without a brick & mortar presence. I hope you're doing what you love, life is too short!
@@crash_override9435 Because you already work with vehicles maybe try some interior accents or exterior vinyl graphics also look into PPF for the high end vehicles. Trust me you DO NOT need a brick and mortar presence to sell signs. Sign and business advertising inside and outside (if you can) work samples, print and vinyl work as much as you can put in front of those people. You can do it keep pushing... and keep honing your design skills!!! That generally separates you from everyone else. SG
@@TheSignGuy Wise words, thanks for the inspiration. I lack the sales skills as everything I did was inside sales ('walk up'). I 'managed' a 2-man digital print shop for 6 years, a small sign shop for 4.. Really did enjoy the work. I currently push paperwork for a large sign company and it's not rewarding at all. Not interested in transitioning to detailing cars full time as business is really seasonal and basically manual labor, but the money is better than any hourly job. I need to make the switch to working for myself - I am not sure why I am still so gun-shy about jumping into signage on my own. Take care.
We bought a large shed, ran elec, added hardwood floors, insulation, dry wall, a mini split, and a coffee pot!...lol. all for about $11,000.00 (we did all the labor ourselves) worth every dime!
This video made my mind up. I've been running a sign business from my house part time and was debating if I should lease a shop. My longtime goal was to buy a home with a few acres and building my dream shop. Love your vids man and thanks for sharing your experiences....
Great video! Seems like we run the same scenarios in our heads. I have been working out of my garage for 6 years and have always wanted to get into a larger space to do wraps and installs. Honestly I make more on simple printed signage and decals compared to the inconsistent request to dothe odd vehicle or trailer wrap. The grass always seems greener when you want to offer more and scale up. I'm happy to continue in my garage with a stable income with minimal headaches. The main priority for me is work/life balance. Walking 10 feet to the shop to work, come and go as you please. Working late doesn't seem to be as bad when you can spend time with the family and eat dinner while the printer is running. Compared to spending the time to commute and all the costs to operate out of another building deterred me. Not tied to be in a store front 9-5 mon-fri is a major factor.
Working out of a room in my house now. But I literally just signed a contract to have a wall in a crafters mall. 18ft by 6ft of space for $150 a month. Now in this space I will have more than just my vinyl stuff. I also make buttons (pinbacks) plus years ago my dad was selling knick knacks things (collectable salt and pepper shakers and the like) those have been in storage for awhile. But with this place they sell my items for me when I'm not there. They charge 10% of sales but they also handle all the sales tax. Still not actually an LLC yet. (Moving towards it quickly)
Awesome, always moving forward! So the wife and I used to go to estate sales and sold antique items online and in a Antique Mall. It was a monthly fee for the space and the mall made 10% off of every sale, we were there for about 2-3 years before the Mall decided to shut down. We stopped by once every week or so to replenish the stock and straighten items up, somewhat passive income. We generally cleared an extra $500 from the mall but the internet changed the way people buy antiques and such. Great times!
Sounds like you went through a little journey. I agree when you start it’s better to lease, but eventually when you reach a certain size it’s better to own. Especially it gives you flexibility to make changes to the building to accommodate new equipment. Another great video.
Hi! Thank you for such a good content. Any suggestions on applicatoon tape that wont wrinkle in FL weather? I use clearchoice at75 .. its a love/hate relationship i really cant apply if its under the direct sun
I was never a fan of the Clear App Tape. I preferred the paper tape and you just have to work fast. I went from the R-Tape to Grimco's Briteline series for app tape, same stuff just a bit less expensive.
It's insane what they want for property. When I retired from making signs I went a different direction. Try to find 10,000 sq for a reasonable price...., I eventually did but there was a reason they were asking so much.
Not everyone can stand the smell of wood fires or pellet stoves. Moving the big bags, cleaning the stove, making sure it doesent run out etc. is a not for me. So electric, NG or propane for me, but to each their own!
@@TheSignGuy Pellet stoves don't smell. Pellet smokers, well that's what you want. My cost for pellets for the winter is less than one months use of gas. It's a no brainer.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
This is valuable information i am at the point of that crossroads
I hope it helps!
Im a small sign shop in Greensboro NC I also run my business at my home on my property out of a 30x 28 shop..i agree with you 100 percent.
Everyone is different but this work 100% for me. Thanks for watching!
I'm about 7 years into my sign career. This year I started an automotive detailing businesses to keep up with cost of living (No raises in sign industry wouldn't you know). Business was great until the winter hit! Now I'm going to pivot and put my sign skills to work. Wish me luck, it's really hard to break into the custom manufacturing space (signs), I've tried twice before. Probably just as saturated as auto detailing! But now that I finally got a business off the ground (5th attempt), I have a little more wisdom now.
Best of luck to you, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me. We also have had ups and downs but always found a way to make it work and live a comfortable life in the sign industry. You need to focus on what you do best and advertise that, the rest of the small stuff will fill in over time.
@@TheSignGuy I appreciate it! I do enjoy sign making and small format printing (my old man was a printer). I'd be more thrilled to make some signs in my free time as opposed to detailing filthy cars in the cold, but I just don't know how to get the clients without a brick & mortar presence. I hope you're doing what you love, life is too short!
@@crash_override9435 Because you already work with vehicles maybe try some interior accents or exterior vinyl graphics also look into PPF for the high end vehicles. Trust me you DO NOT need a brick and mortar presence to sell signs. Sign and business advertising inside and outside (if you can) work samples, print and vinyl work as much as you can put in front of those people. You can do it keep pushing... and keep honing your design skills!!! That generally separates you from everyone else. SG
@@TheSignGuy Wise words, thanks for the inspiration. I lack the sales skills as everything I did was inside sales ('walk up'). I 'managed' a 2-man digital print shop for 6 years, a small sign shop for 4.. Really did enjoy the work. I currently push paperwork for a large sign company and it's not rewarding at all. Not interested in transitioning to detailing cars full time as business is really seasonal and basically manual labor, but the money is better than any hourly job. I need to make the switch to working for myself - I am not sure why I am still so gun-shy about jumping into signage on my own. Take care.
We bought a large shed, ran elec, added hardwood floors, insulation, dry wall, a mini split, and a coffee pot!...lol. all for about $11,000.00 (we did all the labor ourselves) worth every dime!
This video made my mind up. I've been running a sign business from my house part time and was debating if I should lease a shop. My longtime goal was to buy a home with a few acres and building my dream shop. Love your vids man and thanks for sharing your experiences....
In the long run, if we would have bought first instead of leasing we would be retired by now 🤣🤣
Great video! Seems like we run the same scenarios in our heads. I have been working out of my garage for 6 years and have always wanted to get into a larger space to do wraps and installs. Honestly I make more on simple printed signage and decals compared to the inconsistent request to dothe odd vehicle or trailer wrap. The grass always seems greener when you want to offer more and scale up. I'm happy to continue in my garage with a stable income with minimal headaches. The main priority for me is work/life balance. Walking 10 feet to the shop to work, come and go as you please. Working late doesn't seem to be as bad when you can spend time with the family and eat dinner while the printer is running. Compared to spending the time to commute and all the costs to operate out of another building deterred me. Not tied to be in a store front 9-5 mon-fri is a major factor.
Thanks for watching! We have been through just about all the scenarios as well, our biggest need "now" was to be debt free and freedom from the 9-5.
Working out of a room in my house now.
But I literally just signed a contract to have a wall in a crafters mall. 18ft by 6ft of space for $150 a month. Now in this space I will have more than just my vinyl stuff. I also make buttons (pinbacks) plus years ago my dad was selling knick knacks things (collectable salt and pepper shakers and the like) those have been in storage for awhile. But with this place they sell my items for me when I'm not there. They charge 10% of sales but they also handle all the sales tax. Still not actually an LLC yet. (Moving towards it quickly)
Awesome, always moving forward! So the wife and I used to go to estate sales and sold antique items online and in a Antique Mall. It was a monthly fee for the space and the mall made 10% off of every sale, we were there for about 2-3 years before the Mall decided to shut down. We stopped by once every week or so to replenish the stock and straighten items up, somewhat passive income. We generally cleared an extra $500 from the mall but the internet changed the way people buy antiques and such. Great times!
Sounds like you went through a little journey. I agree when you start it’s better to lease, but eventually when you reach a certain size it’s better to own. Especially it gives you flexibility to make changes to the building to accommodate new equipment. Another great video.
Hi! Thank you for such a good content. Any suggestions on applicatoon tape that wont wrinkle in FL weather? I use clearchoice at75 .. its a love/hate relationship i really cant apply if its under the direct sun
I was never a fan of the Clear App Tape. I preferred the paper tape and you just have to work fast. I went from the R-Tape to Grimco's Briteline series for app tape, same stuff just a bit less expensive.
Do you pay tax on materials or consumables??
Yes I pay tax on everything.
Commercial properties rent for $8-$10k/mo... or sell for $1M+ here, even for tiny spots in terrible locations. Damn near impossible
It's insane what they want for property. When I retired from making signs I went a different direction. Try to find 10,000 sq for a reasonable price...., I eventually did but there was a reason they were asking so much.
Don't rent if you don't have to... Build!! Even a home depot shed, as big as you can get or put on your lot.
Very true and great idea!
Screw propane, get a pellet stove...
Not everyone can stand the smell of wood fires or pellet stoves. Moving the big bags, cleaning the stove, making sure it doesent run out etc. is a not for me. So electric, NG or propane for me, but to each their own!
@@TheSignGuy Pellet stoves don't smell. Pellet smokers, well that's what you want. My cost for pellets for the winter is less than one months use of gas. It's a no brainer.