The SignMan opened for business on May 15, 1990 with just four team members and a great deal of spirit. Our team was united and worked hard together getting paid for what we loved to do - build really neat signs. We were all proud of what we were building and it showed. The SignMan grew rapidly in reputation and in sales. Our dedication and persistence continued and more people joined the team. Twenty years and fifteen team members later, The SignMan is here and its here to stay.
We have fond memories of all-nighters; how two phone lines had to be off the hook when we were cutting substrate; after work meetings to figure out how to deliver what had been sold that day. We all thought that we were a team, but it took the tragic loss of one of us to realize just how strong a team we really were. Tragedy struck with the illness and death of Cindy. The company found itself without two key members of the team, Cindy and myself, for about two years. The SignMan survived because of the extraordinary abilities and dedication of the rest of the team. Everyone just filled in the gaps with work, with support and with love. They kept the energy and the spirit of the company alive -and we continue to succeed because of the loyalty and dedication of each and everyone in the company. These people are more than employees they make the SignMan what it is. We are all very proud of one another and very proud of the company.
Looking back in time we now realize that The SignMan was on the right track when several things happened in the same time period. One was an evening that a businessman in the advertising field approached one of our group at a restaurant table and said; "You’re the SignMan aren’t you?". I felt a sense of pride - The SignMan was known in the community. The second event was on a Sunday morning when one of the team was seen, in full Sunday dress, at the top of a 35-foot sign. He had noticed something was wrong with the top corner of the sign on his way home from church and climbed up the structure to solve the problem. The team spirit and company culture had been set - quality at any cost; teamwork at all cost.
Our worst business experience was also one of our best testimonials. Several signs faded after just three months after installation – a cost of over $10,000 to the company. There never was any question regarding what to do – we replaced every sign. It was a very expensive mistake but the customer was impressed with our honesty and our warranty; and is still our customer to this day.
The mission of quality, product knowledge and customer satisfaction had also now been set. The SignMan was started on a strong belief in oneself and also on persistence and dedication to the task. These are the elements of its spirit and the reason it will always persevere. The company’s true debt is to its people
