Hello all...
Can't say I've posted here before, but I have been reading and taking advice for a few years. Maybe only a year as OC SIGNS. I have been in the front lines of the sign industry for 22 years now. I will try to keep this brief, but will answer any question or comments as posted. I came into a consult position with a copy/ print shop. A contract was drawn for a year as to the nature of the consulting, to create a sign department, which would eventually become a separate sign shop.Things went well for the first year, vendors approached, marketing commenced, training on pricing, material choices for area and production techniques. First year went well, equipment paid off, new equipment purchased and paid off, logo created, generally, things were good. Second year, waited for contract renewal, and waited and waited. While I was not a "true" partner, but by word only, the word from a retired Master Chief from the Air Force, and his wife, I had little standing. That I believe was my biggest folly. Come the end of September of this year I was booted and expelled from shop in less than 20 min. I showed and produced everyday, without fault. At this point, their cookie cutter shop has taken production techniques and produced custom work, with my designs. I can go on with more, but this is not a total bash on them. My biggest question, is, that I have all original file for logo creation on my computers, and on the internet to authenticate time/date stamp. I have done research to copyright logo, but would like to know if it would be forth it, to have them stop using logo. Beyond that, I have started another company, solely on my own. J & S Signworks, which will be registered soon, as soon as next week business license goes through. I am frustrated and not sure what I can do, since I did not have a contract with them at time of release, other than verbal word. I did leave with accounts I brought to table, and have purchased some equipment, found vendors for outsource what I cant handle at the moment. I guess, I'm venting and need advice. Thank you for any insight.
Can't say I've posted here before, but I have been reading and taking advice for a few years. Maybe only a year as OC SIGNS. I have been in the front lines of the sign industry for 22 years now. I will try to keep this brief, but will answer any question or comments as posted. I came into a consult position with a copy/ print shop. A contract was drawn for a year as to the nature of the consulting, to create a sign department, which would eventually become a separate sign shop.Things went well for the first year, vendors approached, marketing commenced, training on pricing, material choices for area and production techniques. First year went well, equipment paid off, new equipment purchased and paid off, logo created, generally, things were good. Second year, waited for contract renewal, and waited and waited. While I was not a "true" partner, but by word only, the word from a retired Master Chief from the Air Force, and his wife, I had little standing. That I believe was my biggest folly. Come the end of September of this year I was booted and expelled from shop in less than 20 min. I showed and produced everyday, without fault. At this point, their cookie cutter shop has taken production techniques and produced custom work, with my designs. I can go on with more, but this is not a total bash on them. My biggest question, is, that I have all original file for logo creation on my computers, and on the internet to authenticate time/date stamp. I have done research to copyright logo, but would like to know if it would be forth it, to have them stop using logo. Beyond that, I have started another company, solely on my own. J & S Signworks, which will be registered soon, as soon as next week business license goes through. I am frustrated and not sure what I can do, since I did not have a contract with them at time of release, other than verbal word. I did leave with accounts I brought to table, and have purchased some equipment, found vendors for outsource what I cant handle at the moment. I guess, I'm venting and need advice. Thank you for any insight.