Gotta say, I really love this thread. Amazing how many people are so attached to the chip on their shoulder.
I can't reveal my name for business purposes, and trust me you ain't missing anything on the picture. My business partner and I on April 15, 2011 opened up our sign business. We too are a franchise operation (Signworld). He left the company I work for at that time, and I have stayed on for the time being. We have done very well in a little less than a year, and it looks as though I will be able to join the business full time in a couple more months.
I am 62 years old. I have done about everything. Bell Hop, Watchmaker / Jeweler, electronics technician, office machine salesman, art foundry owner, lock and safe technician (Mosler Safe Company), Operations Manager for an international electronic security company, etc. Now half owner of a budding young sign company.
I found Signs101 searching the internet. Looked like a great place to learn stuff, and it has been. Early on I found so many gems of knowledge. Lately, not so much. Oh, they are still there, but it seems less frequent.
I have been involved in the internet since it was born. The nastiness referenced seems endemic. For me, I state my thoughts in a civil manner and then just let it go. People are what they are and some are just nasty by nature.
I look forward to learning from you awesome folks that have knowledge to share and I will certainly share what I have when I feel it is worthwhile.