New Guy Opinions, Suggestions and ALL YOUR FREAKING KNOWLEDGE.....please

[4RE]

Good Morning, fellow accursed ones. Apparently this industry has burrowed deep deep into my soul. I have been 'out of the game' for years. Still do installs for other companies here and there but dad and I have got it in our heads that we should open the ol' family business once again. And we are starting from scratch. I know there are companies out there that wholesale just about everything we would need(cabinets, channel letters, digital prints, etc) but I would love to get your opinions on what would be a definite 'must have' on premise. We are currently working on getting a bucket and scouting locations. What has been tried and true with y'all? It's 2024 and I'm old school but I've got young minds around me ready to keep us relevant for years to come. Thank you for any guidance and wisdom.

 

[White Haus]

Welcome to Signs 101.

 

[ProSignTN]

Learn all you can about LED's: Drivers, Lumens, K Color, etc., stock a few common drivers (power supplies) in 12v & 24 v. Have a good program for vector design: Corel or Illustrator. Buy everything from a wholesaler you can: B2 signs, Signs 365, etc. DO NOT TAKE WALK IN's. Make them pay, you are a pro. Works for me!!

 

[GraphixGirl79]

Good Morning, fellow accursed ones. Apparently this industry has burrowed deep deep into my soul. I have been 'out of the game' for years. Still do installs for other companies here and there but dad and I have got it in our heads that we should open the ol' family business once again. And we are starting from scratch. I know there are companies out there that wholesale just about everything we would need(cabinets, channel letters, digital prints, etc) but I would love to get your opinions on what would be a definite 'must have' on premise. We are currently working on getting a bucket and scouting locations. What has been tried and true with y'all? It's 2024 and I'm old school but I've got young minds around me ready to keep us relevant for years to come. Thank you for any guidance and wisdom.

Invest in a good computer/ drawing program (adobe or corel), and a must have printer and vinyl cutter at least to start. You can do most things with those things as a minimum. Having a router table eventually is good too and doesn't need to be brand new state of the art either. Heck we are still running an old CadCam machine from the 80's. lol. it's a dinosaur, but still works like a charm. Make sure your shop has enough space for maneuvering larger signs if that's what you tend to get into for construction / servicing. Everyone is switching to LEDs these days, so knowledge in that area is good as well. Good luck!

 

[Gino]

Write down ALL the things you excel at and also what you don't wanna do. Be honest about your capabilities. Go from there as to what direction you'd like to persue.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Bucket truck and all the things needed to install. Vinyl cutter, table and supplies to apply vinyl to substrates. Everything else that needs to be manufactured can be subbed out... that's how I operate. If you want to print in house, get a printer and laminator, but it's not needed to get started. No need for storefront, you can work from home.

 

[4RE]

Thank you all so much. Hooked up with Signs 365. Got business cards on the way. Thinking of selling my step-kids to get a bucket truck. HA . . . I'll try my best to keep whoever cares posted. Have a great day, sign people.

 

[Stacey K]

Don't take walk ins. By appointment only if you can. Might be a slower start but worth it!

 

[citysignshop]

I may be the last person to give advice, nearly 40 years since having my own shop....but with age comes realism, pessimism, alllllll the 'isms.....
You may already be experts at this, since you've had your own shop, but the 'structure' of the business, for tax, liability and succession planning would be a good start.
If you have a bucket truck, and are doing installs for someone else, you'd better protect your house and other assets from someone that may want to get their fingers on them if the worst happens.
just my $.02
have fun!

( really, you're SURE you don't want to open a tattoo, weed and vape shop?....that seems to be the big money-makers right now!) ;-b)

 

[Geneva Olson]

Don't take walk ins. By appointment only if you can. Might be a slower start but worth it!

that made me giggle. from the other thread.

 

[JBurton]

If you have a bucket truck, and are doing installs for someone else, you'd better protect your house and other assets from someone that may want to get their fingers on them if the worst happens.

In short, set up a LLC. Helps to keep disgruntled someones from seeking to recoup losses via your personal property.

 

[4RE]

I may be the last person to give advice, nearly 40 years since having my own shop....but with age comes realism, pessimism, alllllll the 'isms.....
You may already be experts at this, since you've had your own shop, but the 'structure' of the business, for tax, liability and succession planning would be a good start.
If you have a bucket truck, and are doing installs for someone else, you'd better protect your house and other assets from someone that may want to get their fingers on them if the worst happens.
just my $.02
have fun!

( really, you're SURE you don't want to open a tattoo, weed and vape shop?....that seems to be the big money-makers right now!) ;-b)

HAHA....so funny you should bring up taxes. That's a long story but THE very reason we closed oh so many years ago. I totally agree with you though. We have a pretty crack accounting firm now and they are ready to set us up the way we need to be ran. Like I tell my kids, pennies make dollars, so thanks for your "$.02" . . . every bit of advice helps.

 

[4RE]

Write down ALL the things you excel at and also what you don't wanna do. Be honest about your capabilities. Go from there as to what direction you'd like to persue.

Love this advice. Fortunately I still have my father around for advice and sales. Younger, newer members of the family are ready to go. Each bringing something valuable to the table.

 

[4RE]

Invest in a good computer/ drawing program (adobe or corel), and a must have printer and vinyl cutter at least to start. You can do most things with those things as a minimum. Having a router table eventually is good too and doesn't need to be brand new state of the art either. Heck we are still running an old CadCam machine from the 80's. lol. it's a dinosaur, but still works like a charm. Make sure your shop has enough space for maneuvering larger signs if that's what you tend to get into for construction / servicing. Everyone is switching to LEDs these days, so knowledge in that area is good as well. Good luck!

YES . . . . I am getting back into designing. WHEW! Good lord.....but it's coming back to me. Working with Illustrator at the moment. I like it. Printers and Routers on my list. Thanks