Better Sign Shop Podcast

Peter Guba spent 8 years working inside Google with over 1,000 different accounts before starting his own paid ads agency, Profit Mill. In this episode, he reveals why most sign shops are burning money on Google Ads and shares the simple strategy that actually works. ##-## Key Points Discussed: Why Google Ads fail: The real reasons 90% of sign shop advertising campaigns don't work (and it's not what you think) The $500 test: How to start Google Ads the right way without betting the farm Unit economics breakdown: The math every sign shop owner needs to know before spending a dollar on ads Local vs. product ads: Which Google ad types actually work for sign shops The attribution problem: How to track if your ads are actually generating sales Website optimization: Why your Google Ads success depends more on what happens AFTER the click Closing the loop: The simple question every sign shop should ask every customer ##-## Links: Profit Mill: https://profitmill.io Peter Guba on LinkedIn: [LinkedIn profile] ##-## Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:27 - Why Peter left Google after 8 years 04:40 - The agency problem: Why 90% don't deliver 09:12 - When sign shops should (and shouldn't) use Google Ads 13:55 - The only ad strategy sign shops actually need 22:12 - Local campaigns vs. search ads 28:07 - Biggest mistakes sign shops make 31:12 - Budget recommendations and unit economics 38:18 - Tracking results and attribution 43:20 - Website optimization for ad traffic 52:30 - How to avoid getting burned by agencies 57:05 - The future of Google Ads for sign shops ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

In this episode, Bryant and Mike continue their deep dive into the ever-evolving world of AI, building on the discussion from the previous episode. They explore the rapid growth of AI models, highlighting both their incredible benefits and the challenges they pose within the sign industry. Beyond discussing the impact of AI, Bryant and Mike showcase some of their favorite AI-powered tools that they use daily, offering insights into how these innovations are reshaping workflows and creativity. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation as we navigate the fast-paced changes AI is bringing to our world—and what the future might hold! ##-## In this episode... 00:00           Intro 00:32            "AI" Models Rapid Growth 07:48            Tools We Use  12:23            TypingMind 18:53            AI for SEO 25:43            Tools for Text Generation 36:27            Current AI Situation  47:20            "AI" in Everyday life 53:35            Deepseek 58:00            "AI" Thinks 01:00:25       Directus 01:02:25       Replicate 01:08:00       NotebookLM 01:12:00       Clay 01:14:15       Perplexity 01:17:50       Loveable 01:21:45       Replit 01:28:50       Takeaways 01:34:04      Outro ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

In this episode, Bryant and Michael take a deep dive into how AI is reshaping the sign and design industry. They explore its growing impact on the creative process, discussing whether AI is a helpful tool for designers or a force that could potentially harm the industry as a whole. From automating routine tasks to enabling innovative design solutions, AI offers exciting possibilities, but it also raises critical questions about originality, ethics, and the future role of human designers. To bring theory into practice, Bryant and Michael put one of Michael’s banner designs to the test, leveraging AI tools to see how they measure up against traditional methods. Join the conversation as they weigh the pros and cons of AI, debate its long-term implications, and consider how designers can adapt to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. ##-## In this episode... 00:00           Intro 00:32           Catching Up 08:05           Last year's learnings 12:25            Creative but uninterested in the business side 15:11             The Ominous AI 16:25            Takes on AI 21:00            AI on a daily basis 25:40           AI Impact on Creativity 36:18            Dangers of AI 39:29           Dangers for Designers  42:20           Shift of designers  46:00           Using Claud to replicate Mike's design 51:40            Tool For Creativity 01:00:39       AI for younger generation 01:05:03       Takeaways  01:07:00       Outro ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

In this engaging podcast Series, Peter shares his 10 Sign Shop Commandments—a comprehensive set of principles designed to drive your sign shop's financial success.  These commandments aren’t just generic advice; they are presented in a unique percentage-based format, offering clear and actionable insights to help you stabilize, optimize, and elevate your business operations. Bryant and Peter delve deep into each commandment, unpacking the strategies and steps necessary for implementation. They discuss how these rules can fix sign shop owners' challenges and difficulties.  Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, these ten commandments serve as your roadmap to success. ##-## In this episode... 00:00     Intro. 00:50     Sign Shop Yoda. 04:40     Recap of first five commandments. 06:44     Advertising Budget Query  11:17     6th Commandment: Total Payroll  21:36     7th Commandment: Average Payroll 26:08     8th Commandment: Lead Conversion 33:37     9th Commandment: Hourly Rate 44:39     10th Commandment: Quote to Sales Order 53:58      Outro ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

In this engaging podcast Series, Peter shares his 10 Sign Shop Commandments—a comprehensive set of principles designed to drive your sign shop's financial success.  These commandments aren’t just generic advice; they are presented in a unique percentage-based format, offering clear and actionable insights to help you stabilize, optimize, and elevate your business operations. Bryant and Peter dive deep into each commandment, unpacking the strategies and steps necessary for implementation. They discuss how these rules can fix sign shop owners' challenges and difficulties.  Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, these ten commandments serve as your roadmap to success. ##-## In this episode... 00:00      Intro 00:32      Catching Up 06:20      Year-end and sign-shop 09:05      10 Sign Shop commandments 11:40      1st Commandment: Gross Profit Margins 15:09      2nd Commandment: Direct labor percentage 18:13      3rd Commandment: Material cost 26:10      4th Commandment: Operating expenses 32:35      5th Commandment: Advertising budget 42:20      Jason’s Question on Marketing Vendor 46:23      Ride the wave (ridethewave.info) 48:18      For Introverts 53:33      Social Sponge (socialsponge.biz) 57:03      Recap 58:32      Outro ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

Sign Up For Shop Software Spotlight https://lu.ma/shop-software-spotlight In this quick announcement episode, Bryant catches up with listeners after a brief hiatus and shares three exciting updates from the Better Sign Shop team. Key Announcements: - Podcast Update: The team is back after taking time to focus on work and family, with new episodes and guests lined up - Shop Software Spotlight Series: A comprehensive demo program featuring seven major sign shop management software vendors including Ordant, SignTracker, Onyx Align, SquareCoil, InkSoft, InkWorks, and CoreBridge - New Website Product: Preview of an upcoming website and marketing platform specifically built for sign shops The Shop Software Spotlight series runs from November 14th through December 10th, featuring guided demonstrations and Q&A sessions with each vendor. Free registration available at lu.ma/shop-software-spotlight. In this episode... 00:00 Intro & Welcome Back 01:15 Team Update 03:15 Shop Software Spotlight Announcement 13:30 Demo Series Schedule 18:15 New Website Product Preview 20:45 Closing Are you a sign shop owner interested in being featured on the podcast or joining the website platform beta? Email hey@bettersignshop.com.  For software vendors interested in participating in the spotlight series, reach out to hey@bettersignshop.com. Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

Jim Dawson owns Synergy Sign & Graphics in Strasburg, OH. From humble beginnings in his basement 20 years ago, he has built a business that thrives on challenges and innovation. In this podcast, he shares his experiences with creative architectural signage. ##-## This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your partner for large/grand format trade printing. Known for exceptional customer service, GCI Digital Imaging is the go-to for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics. Discover more in Episode #9 or visit https://gci-digital.com. Jaco Wholesale Sign Products Looking to enhance your clients' impact and boost your profits with flat-cut acrylic letters and logos? Jaco Wholesale Sign Products delivers laser-cut acrylic letters and signage with quick turnaround times and excellent communication. They offer a wide range of mounting options, Pantone matching, several acrylic thicknesses, and nationwide shipping. Visit https://sign.supply/bss/ for a quote and $50 off your first order. ##-## Links: Dan Sawatzky Episode: https://youtu.be/QHOBWzf-5QY Synergy Signs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergy_signs/ ##-## Key Points Discussed: - Business and Personal life: Jim shares his business and personal life and how he and his wife manage it all together. - Jim's Journey: Jim shares his journey and how he ended up with signage from an animator and cabinet shop.  -Architecture Projects: Jim shares with us his amazing architecture Projects and shows us the workflow of working with architecture Projects. -Client Expectation: We dive deep into this conversation, discussing the importance of knowing and fulfilling clients' expectations and how to let clients know what we expect from them. - Pricing Methods: Jim discusses his pricing method and how he decides or adjusts his pricing and profit margins. - Changes in the industry: We discuss the positive and negative aspects of the industry's changes and how they will affect the market and the future of signage.   -Jim's Workshop: Jim talks about his workshop, which they conduct a few times per year. Y http://www.synergysign.com/sign-alchemy-workshops/ -Sign Shop School: Jim and Peter discuss their future plan to open a sign shop school and give back to the industry. ##-## In this episode... 00:00            Intro 00:38            Sponsor 01:27             Catching Up 04:40            Winning a Lottery 09:12             About Jim 10:25             Working with Wife 13:55             From Animator to cabinet shop to signage 19:12              The Progression. 22:12             Storefront walk-in traffic 28:07             Inflection Point  31:12              Jim’s architecture projects    33:12              Fulfilling Client Expectations 36:25             90-day Terms 38:18              Equipments 43:20             Fire Prevention 46:02             Workflow with architecture Projects. 52:30             Pricing Method 57:05             Changes in the Industry 01:02:42        Jim’s Workshop 01:12:12          Sign Shop School ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind. Interested in being a guest on the show or have questions for our team? Reach out to us at hey@bettersignshop.com.

In this episode, we're joined by Dan Yoder - the owner of Sign Art Studio, a killer sign shop with 30 people near Madison, Wisconsin. Dan has been in the industry since 2005 and gives us valuable insights on various topics such as the business and art side of the industry, the importance of systems and processes, hiring and managing employees, and more. ##-## This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging - Your partner for large/grand format trade printing. Known for their exceptional customer service, GCI Digital Imaging is the go-to for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics. Discover more in Episode #9 or visit https://gci-digital.com. ##-## Key Points Discussed: - Dan's Origin Story: Dan has always been interested in art and fell in love with this craft early in his life. Making mistakes, learning from them, and growing forward continuously. He started his own business in 2005 and now has a team of about 30. - Team Management: Dan discusses Sign Art Studio, how he started the business, and how he tackled all of its problems. He tells us the structure of his team and how it works. He also shares the importance of Teamwork and how he manages his team to gain efficiency. - Hiring Question: Dan answered one of the most asked questions about hiring. He shares his thoughts on hiring somebody with no experience or someone with some signage experience. - Business and Art: We dive deep into this discussion where we all share our thoughts on the "Business" and "Art" side of the industry, which one has more importance, and how both can be managed. - Processes and Systems: We discuss processes and systems, layers of processes, flexibility with systems, having processes to set or change processes, and much more. Dan shares the Sign Art Studios' way of working and how they have set up their workflow. - Right Type of Clients: Working with the right type of clients is a different experience, as it is much more collaborative and engaging and brings out the best in everyone. Dan gives solid advice to shop owners on finding the right type of clients and shares how they qualify and classify their clients.  - Dan's Podcast: Dan does his own Podcast, which you must listen to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m41OxFQbSPo ##-## In this episode... 00:00       Intro 00:38       Sponsor 02:28       Welcoming Dan 05:30       Dan’s Journey 09:55       Sign Art Studio 16:50       Team management and working 21:30       Hiring People 25:30       Last 10-20 years of the industry 32:20       Process of onboarding a new employee     36:00       Business and art 47:40       Focus on Entrepreneurial Operating Systems 55:25         Motive          01:04:30    Processes and System        01:26:30    Future for Dan 01:29:05    Working with the right type of client 01:35:30    Dan’s Podcast 01:41:50    Rapid fire takeaways 01:46:20    Outro ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

In this episode we sit down with Paul Gardner, the entrepreneurial force behind Sign Enterprise. With over two decades in the sign industry, Paul shares his journey from a young enthusiast in vinyl graphics to a successful owner of multiple sign companies. His insights into business growth, innovative strategies, and maintaining work-life balance are invaluable for anyone in the industry. ##-## This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging - Your partner for large/grand format trade printing. Known for their exceptional customer service, GCI Digital Imaging is the go-to for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics. Discover more in Episode #9 or visit https://gci-digital.com. ##-## Key Points Discussed: - Paul's Origin Story: Starting as a teenager fascinated by vinyl graphics, Paul's early experiences in the sign business laid the foundation for his future entrepreneurial ventures. His purchase of a local sign shop marked the beginning of his journey in business ownership. - Growth and Acquisition: Paul discusses his strategy of acquiring struggling sign businesses, transforming them by implementing new systems, focusing on employee quality, and enhancing operational efficiency. - Pricing Strategies: A pivotal shift in Paul's business approach was understanding the value of his service and adjusting his pricing model. He emphasizes the importance of not basing prices solely on industry averages but on the value delivered to clients. - Diversification of Ventures: Paul shares insights into how his ventures in landscape lighting, Christmas light installations, and other industries complement his sign business. He highlights how ideas from different sectors can revolutionize traditional business models in the sign industry. - Challenges and Solutions: Paul candidly discusses various challenges, such as change orders and unforeseen job complexities. He stresses the significance of clear communication and contractual agreements to manage client expectations and maintain profitability. - Business Management and Work-Life Balance: Paul talks about the importance of building a business that can operate independently of the owner, allowing for a better work-life balance and opportunities for further growth. ##-## In this episode... 00:00 Intro 00:38 Sponsor 01:33 Catching up 04:02 Welcoming Paul Gardner 04:40 Paul's backstory in the sign business 10:50 Growth and acquisitions in Sign Enterprise 13:10 Innovations in pricing strategies 15:30 Diversification into related ventures 19:33 Overcoming challenges in sign installation 25:40 Insights into effective business management 28:40 Communication strategies for client satisfaction 38:26 Balancing work and personal life 40:32 Paul's approach to employee training and retention 43:30 Leveraging cross-industry ideas 47:10 Future plans for Sign Enterprise 51:30 Paul's perspective on emerging technologies in the industry 55:30 Advice for upcoming entrepreneurs in the sign industry 57:45 Closing thoughts and future directions for the podcast ##-## Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind. Interested in being a guest on the show or have questions for our team? Reach out to us at hey@bettersignshop.com.

In the episode, James shares how RP Signs has reached 5 million without a sales representative and for the first time in three generations is hiring a sales rep. We also learn about how they have incredible retention for all their key employees in the business.   James Neely is the Director of Project Management at RP Signs from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the third-generation owner of RP Signs. They provide full end-to-end service for their clients in a few different verticals like healthcare, architects / design firms, and facilities management. This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging - Your grand format trade printing partner. Big or small, GCI does them all. Check them out at printgci.com Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can go ahead and check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics... Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00       Intro 00:38       Sponsor 01:25        Catching up 05:30           Welcoming James 06:20           About James and RP Signs 08:25           Types of clients 11:50           James Journey 15:10           Why bring in a salesperson? 20:00           RP Signs Market Area 22:30           Business acquisition strategy 23:50           Getting into healthcare 26:20           Secret sauce of lasting this long      38:20           Pricing 40:00           Working in a family business 46:30           Keeping people around for years 48:50           Culture                      54:50           Advice 55:30           Future for James, company and industry 57:30           Peter breaks "Culture" 01:02:30     Rapid fire takeaways Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind) Would you be interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Email us at hey@bettersignshop.com.

Evan Zebley is the owner of EZ Signs. Evan started a sign business working alongside his sister. Within the first few months, the shop expanded into fleet graphics for distribution companies, custom-formed letters, custom-crafted and painted foam emblems and signs, monument signs, lighted cabinets, and more. Before launching EZ Sign Solutions, Evan worked in six different sign companies with different roles and responsibilities. He shares with us all of his experiences and learnings along the way. Another can't-miss episode! This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging - Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can go ahead and check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So, if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00        Intro 00:38        Sponsor 01:33        Welcoming Evan 02:55        Evan’s journey in the industry 04:55        Getting a start in the industry          18:20        Equipment 21:50        Sales and marketing  25:50        Losing profit                32:45        Learnings of working with franchise 37:35        Thoughts on owning a shop 47:00        Imposter syndrome  54:15        Sales is the business 58:10        Evan’s methods of getting new business 01:06:15  Asking for the opportunity 01:15:40  Future for Evan Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind) Would you be interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Email us at hey@bettersignshop.com.

Having been in the industry for 23 years, Adam started as a production employee within a franchised sign company. From there, he moved into production management, then inside/outside sales, and now, for the last 6 years, he has been working as a Director of Project Development, managing the sign design team of Creative Sign Designs.  This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging - Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can go ahead and check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So, if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00  Intro 00:38  Sponsor 01:33  Catching up 04:02   Welcoming Adam 04:40   Adam’s backstory 10:50   Creative Sign Designs 13:10   Role in creative sign designs 15:30   Adam’s team          19:33  Hiring Designers for 5700 requests 25:40   Hunting for good people 28:40   Workflow and processes of the business 38:26   Helping designers design  40:32   Day-to-day within the department 43:30   Advice for the small design team 47:10   Facilitating communication across department 51:30   Thoughts on A.I 55:30   Useful CorelDRAW plugin 57:45   Future for Creative Sign Designs Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ ##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind) Would you be interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Email us at hey@bettersignshop.com.

This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can go ahead and check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So, if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00      Intro 02:20      Welcome Dan    03:10       About Dan 05:10       Ordinary stuff  06:20      Starting shop in high school    08:10       Imagination Corporation, today vs when it started 12:15        Looking at things differently.      14:20       Test for customers (5 Questions)     18:10        Deviating from the questions 19:54       Owning only half a percent of the business 20:49       Difference of opinion  22:23       Different Process  24:10       Types of Projects  31:50       How much does location matter? 33:20      Contacting customers 36:40      Scope of Projects 38:40      Building Experiences  40:40      Pieces of Advice 48:15       Family Business 56:30       Inner working of the Business   01:01:40  Future for dan 01:06:30  Outro Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bette...) ##-## Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letterboxsig... Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ ##-## Would you be interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

Brad owns a successful wrap shop in Virginia. He also does business coaching (coached Evan at Converge). And recently built his own CRM he’s marketing to sign and wrap shops – TORQ, It’s built on HighLevel! This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00      Intro 02:00      Mike’s nickname   03:00      Guest intro 04:40      Corel draw Mac and PC  08:20      Brad’s Backstory 09:00      Experience in the sign business and the failures 15:30       Getting back after the failure.   20:10       Hitting a million dollars 22:20       Steps to make a big change 27:10        More about the business and change 32:20       Cash flow quadrant  36:15        Why trade wraps 38:00       Why Brad over Dan 43:45       Developing TORQ 48:00       Getting into different Industry 54:50       Pricing for TORQ 58:00       Business through text messaging and E-mail  59:55       Building your own system or buying 01:03:20  Enjoying the business side now or miss the old days 01:08:05  What does Brad wants to be remembered for  01:10:20   Outro  ##-## Brad’s Wrap Business TradeWraps https://tradewraps.com/ Brad’s CRM TorqCRM https://www.torqcrm.com/ Ready to systemise and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bette...) ##-## Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letterboxsig... Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ ##-## Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

You’ve seen his work even if you didn’t know his name. Legendary sign crafter Shane Durnford joins us for a mindblowing conversation about our chosen craft. 🤯 Shane opens up about his personal experience with burnout. And he also shares invaluable advice for those looking to venture into high end signage – revealing a little bit about his secret sauce. Another can’t miss episode! --- This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:30 Catching up 00:04:20 Bryant’s Appendix surgery 00:09:00 Guest intro 00:13:00 Shane’s backstory 00:16:10 First high-relief carving 00:17:25 Shane’s designs / Emotion and commerce 00:24:00 Shane’s not a sign guy 00:34:18 Stepping away from the industry 00:41:10 Avoiding burnout 00:50:15 Obsession to detail 00:56:25 Creative Process  01:07:45 Advice for sign shop 01:15:40 Future Plans 01:19:29 What Shane wants to be remembered for 01:24:07 Shane’s workshop 01:27:02 Outro -##-##- Links from the Show Recommended Books ------ The Old Way of Seeing https://www.amazon.com/Old-Way-Seeing-How-Back/dp/039574010X/ Shane’s Work ------ It speaks for itself… Check out his website https://jaycefoxstudios.com/environmental-sign-design Shane’s Workshop ------ If you’re at all interested in furthering your design skills and becoming a better sign maker, check out the details and join Shane’s in-person workshop. https://jaycefoxstudios.com/sign-design-workshop Other Signmakers to Follow ------ Dirk Rampling https://www.dirkssigns.com.au/ Roger Cox https://houseofsignsco.com/carved-dimensional-signs-colorado/ Dan Sawatzky https://www.imaginationcorporation.com/attractions -##-##- Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind) -##-##- Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letterboxsigndesign Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ -##-##- Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

Having owned two sign businesses and a software company that creates shop management software for the sign industry, Joe Arenella has seen the industry from a few different angles. He joins us to talk about his journey in the industry, what it's like making software for sign makers, and more. He also shares his advice for newer business owners and how to get unstuck. This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00  Intro 02:20 Peter's ChatGPT experience 05:54 Guest intro 07:30 Need of software like SignTracker and the journey 17:30 Favorite feature about SignTracker 19:55 Takeaways from SignTracker 23:15 Support team in SignTracker 24:50 Attracting the next 500 shops 31:00 Growing technology 34:40 Process for delivering 37:30 Why SignTracker software over others 41:00 Onboarding with the software 44:50 Missing Piece 48:00 From Technician to Owner 53:45 Mental health and alcohol Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind) --- Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop ### Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Letterboxsigndesign/ ### Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ --- Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

We're joined by Jeff Shermanator for this special happy-hour episode An old friend with an epic beard – Jeff Sherman has 20+ years of sign industry experience and 10+ years of running operations at a fairly large shop. We discussed about shifting from vinyl to fab and electrical, safety protocols, managing growth and many other interesting topics  This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00 - Intro 02:25 - mike new name  05:25 - jeff's intro 08:00 - peter's question on having a full time trainer  14:00 - shifting from vinyl 29:10 - mike on installation and its importance 43:20 - Mailbox question on safety protocols  46:40 - Peter's two incidents on safety protocols and learning  58:05 - Training staff to not let customers run your business 01:07:12 - How to manage growth 01:33:20 - peter's question to bryant  01:42:12 - rapid fire takeaways and outro   Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/

We're joined by Maggie Harlow – the successful owner of Signarama Downtown in Louisville KY. She's a leader in the industry and also a columnist for Signs of The Times. We talk about her journey in the sign industry – from jumping into ownership without any industry experience, through managing large national projects for clients, and then to completely "re-modeling" her business when the old model no longer fit. There are lots of great nuggets and advice in this episode. This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. --- In this episode... 00:00 - Intro 01:21 - Welcome 04:41 - Welcoming Maggie 06:20 - Signarama vs FastSigns 07:30 - Maggie's story 10:20 - What is perfect about the sign industry? 15:15 - Love/hate relationship with the industry 17:43 - 1st full year as a franchise owner and doing a million 23:30 -  90 buses in 90 days? 26:20 - Other managed projects 31:00 - The time frame for the transition 37:10 - Picky about doing projects 38:50 - Saying NO to customers 42:40 - Favorite type of sign to make 44:00 - Advice for shop owners   45:55 - Present trends and the future of the industry 48:45 - Future of Maggie's business 50:00 - Maggie's leadership team 58:00 - Thanks to Maggie 01:02:23 - Rapid takeaways   Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bette...) --- Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop ### Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Letterboxsig... ### Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ --- Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

We're joined by national brand and sign package award winner Karrie Brock – owner of two FASTSIGNS locations / Toledo and Maumee OH. We discuss her conversion from an independent sign shop to the FASTSIGNS franchise and how they handle large fabrication projects that the franchise is not typically known for. We also touch on women in the sign industry and Karrie sets us straight on what men in the sign industry sometimes get wrong as well. --- This episode is sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large/grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com. In this episode... 00:00 - Intro 01:21 - Welcome 02:10 - Peter's Sign shop consulting/coaching Experience 08:45 - Guest introduction 14:15 - Karrie welcome 15:55 - Karrie's journey 19:00 - Advantages of being a franchise vs. independent company 23:20 - Most Advantageous benefit 26:40 - Awards/City Eggs project and Peter's shocker  34:30 - Key to turn the customer to the largest account 36:03 - What do men do wrong?  40:20 - Working with husband 42:56 - Experience as a woman in the industry 44:15 - Advice for other women in the industry 46:50 - Women asking better questions than most men 48:40 - Fastsigns and fabricating  58:35 - Future plans 01:01:00 - Closing --- Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind/) --- Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop ### Michael from Letterbox Sign Design Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Letterboxsigndesign ### Peter from Sign Shop Consulting Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ --- Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

Join us as dive into automating your art department with automation guru Brian Saetre. Brian founded an artwork services company before creating his latest proejct TaskOS – which is focused on making your designers more effective and efficient. We also touch on artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney during this interesting discussion. You'll walk away with some helpful tips and tricks on automation. --- This episode sponsored by: GCI Digital Imaging Your large / grand format trade printing partner Owner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing customer service the old-school way. Check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com --- In this episode... - - - --- Ready to systemize and scale your shop? Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/ Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind/) --- Want to follow the crusty sign guys? Bryant from Better Sign Shop - Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com - Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop ### Michael from Letterbox Sign Design - Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/ - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Letterboxsigndesign ### Peter from Sign Shop Consulting - Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/ --- Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.