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Come meet me!!!

Mike Schwin

Mike Schwin

New Member
Hi all!
New member/former lurker here. I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Mike and I have been in the sign business since Christ was a child. Alright maybe not that long. Really I have been working in the sign industry off and on for most of my adult life. I recently was in construction management but do the the incredible implosion of the economy I was laid off just about a year ago.

Fast forward a year to the day and here I am. I have been surviving working in other areas but for no-ware near to what I was making. One of the areas making signs and vehicle graphics. I have an ex employer/sign shop owner/ that is really more of a friend now that lets me use his equipment for free. Although I slip a little something for them in the cash drawer when I'm done.

Now I have been entertaining the crazy notion of starting my own business. The area I am in is "light" on sign shops, meaning there aren't to many around. I have run all aspects of a sign shop in my time and most importantly its something I LOVE to to do, so why not. Any advice from other owners is always appreciated.

So any way that's a small glimpse of me. Thanks
 
Air Art Girl

Air Art Girl

New Member
welcome and good luck in whatever you decide. With this economy right now you might be better off working for your friend. Go out find new jobs, help with the production/installs and see how busy you can get before jumping into your own business investment.
 
Jillbeans

Jillbeans

New Member
Pleased to meet you.
Advice? If you don't already, subscribe to SignCraft.
http://www.signcraft.com/
The subscription comes with a free pricing guide to make sure you are charging enough.
If you don't already have it buy the Mike Stevens layout book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Layout-Art-Eye-Appeal/dp/091138068X
to help your work have a professional look.
As for equipment, I can't tell you what to buy but if you read 101 enough you will learn what others prefer.
Sounds like your sign buddy is a good friend, will you alienate him by setting up shop?
Love....Jill
 
Mike Schwin

Mike Schwin

New Member
Jillbeans said:
Pleased to meet you.
Advice? If you don't already, subscribe to SignCraft.
http://www.signcraft.com/
The subscription comes with a free pricing guide to make sure you are charging enough.
If you don't already have it buy the Mike Stevens layout book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Layout-Art-Eye-Appeal/dp/091138068X
to help your work have a professional look.
As for equipment, I can't tell you what to buy but if you read 101 enough you will learn what others prefer.
Sounds like your sign buddy is a good friend, will you alienate him by setting up shop?
Love....Jill
Click to expand...

I do subscribe to SignCraft and as for the book I have had that in my library for years. When I was working as a production manager for one of the franchise sign shops the first thing I did when training a new hire was give them my copy of that book and told them to learn it, live it, love it.

As for my friend/former boss he supports the idea and I couldn't ask for a better friend or mentor. I went to him for advice on the matter, and he has offered to help get it off the ground. He is even letting me use some of his less used equipment.
 
B

BlueRidgeFabrication

New Member
Sounds like you've really got what it takes...as long as you are willing to put all your time and effort into it and perhaps not get much out of it at first. I still work harder and longer than most anybody else I know, but I love what I do.

Welcome to Signs 101!

Jessica
 
THATgirl

THATgirl

New Member
It's always scary to venture out on your own. But you will never know unless you give it a try. Best of luck to you
 
Mainframe

Mainframe

New Member
Mike, I say go for it, you have a leg up on it already with your experience & help from the friend, good luck & Happy New Year-Bill
 
C

ColesCreations

New Member
At least you should be able to pick up a cheap lease on new or slightly used equipment these days!

I think the first things you need are at least a 160 cm solvent printer, a cutter, and a laminator with take-up rollers.

This from someone who started a couple of years ago and took too long getting the solvent printer:)

Don't buy a smaller printer, as you may have to pass on jobs, and price is not that much more than a narrower model. A 250-printer may be too hard to handle alone due to heavy rolls.

Good luck, and happy new year from Norway!
 
Craig Sjoquist

Craig Sjoquist

New Member
Highimpact ......is right your set to rock n roll .... enjoy....
you already know that the sign trade is the best industry for a skilled craftman,
that you can enjoy many aspects with as many talents
you seem to have several ....good luck ...and ya can always ask questions here
 
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