With 33 years under its belt and over 360 owners providing commercial custom signage and graphics, Signworld is a clear leader in the industry. And while this brand has no royalties and no rules, it still provides robust training, ongoing support, and state-of-the-art equipment. By Nancy E. Williams
With 33 years under its belt and over 360 owners providing commercial custom signage and graphics, Signworld is a clear leader in the industry. And while this brand has no royalties and no rules, it still provides robust training, ongoing support, and state-of-the-art equipment. So, who makes a great Signworld owner? As great as it sounds, it’s not for everyone.
When it comes to personality traits and characteristics of a great Signworld owner, they look to the following: hardened career-battered individuals, results-oriented, a touch of ADD, creativity, and leaders. “Career-battered individuals like the idea of consistent variety as they have been doing the same thing for so long,” said Sharae Ewing from the Signworld corporate team. “Result-oriented individuals enjoy seeing the visible outcome of what they have created, people with a touch of ADD are attracted to the variety in each workday. Creative personalities enjoy crafting something new every day. And finally, leaders appreciate Signworld’s no rules because it fits well with their DNA.”
Along with those personality traits, Signworld also looks for particular skills and backgrounds: engineers, IT professionals, logistics, project management, marketing, accountants/CPAs, c-level executives, and former entrepreneurs. Ewing explained: “Engineers like the straightforward approach of the project’s requirements and building something. IT professionals like the variety and uniqueness and the technology utilized – those skilled in logistics like the constant juggling of projects. Project management professionals appreciate a business that is deep in custom project management and is very process-focused – many have a PMP certification or Six Sigma training and enjoy building processes. Marketing professionals like that have the freedom to develop their own marketing programs that promote their business; accountants/CPAs like the higher income, better profit margins, and building equity. c-level executives see the big picture in the business and, in fact, many have previously worked with sign companies. And former entrepreneurs appreciate the structure of Signworld without the rules and restrictions of a traditional franchise.”
Perhaps most importantly are the types of goals an owner is looking to achieve. “Goals are critically important in determining who a successful Signworld owner will be,” shares Ewing. “People that desire to build a business or create a legacy and want a business that will still be viable in the future to be passed down to their children. On the flip side, someone that is focused on equity as a priority, as a light manufacturing business, will build a higher resale position. Signworld is extremely scalable! Our largest operation did $34 million with $8 million net profit all from one location. This means an owner doesn’t have to have multiple units to build the business, avoiding incurring a heavy investment. And for individuals with goals geared toward community involvement, they see the value in building other people’s business through their business.”
If you see yourself in these characteristics, have the experience and background cited here, and your goals align, Signworld could be a great business ownership opportunity. With 33 years of litigation-free and a 90% success rate, Signworld has an undeniably proven track record. This is also a recession-proof business, as signs ride through downturns and have even thrived during Covid.
To learn more about Signworld, visit signworld.org.
– Nancy E. Williams