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2 weeks ago | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Elizabeth Arenella Toynes |Alex Marcheschi
Joe: Wait a second! You might be thinking, “I love making signs—what the heck are you talking about?” I get it. But hear me out. This isn’t about changing what you do. It’s about shifting how you think about your business. Yes, you make signs—really good ones—but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re selling them effectively. When I started my sign shop, I was way more interested in organizing workflows and making things run smoothly than I was in selling.
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1 month ago | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
For the most part, not many kids grow up thinking, “I’m going be in the sign industry someday!” And even if this is some young kid’s dream, there are no trade schools or universities offering a degree in sign technology. The truth is, unless you were born into the industry, sign making is rarely considered a career path. This isn’t due to a lack of opportunity—the demand is huge—but rather because it isn’t taught like other trades.
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2 months ago | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Elizabeth Arenella Toynes |Alex Marcheschi
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Work on your business, not in it.” But what does that really mean? Shifting from doing everything yourself to running your business effectively isn’t easy and won’t happen overnight—but it’s essential for success. So, how do you make the change? How do you step away from designing, making signs and handling everything on your own? Liz and I have a few ideas. Let’s break it down together.
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Mar 10, 2025 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Stepping into a leadership role at your sign shop—whether as a team lead, manager, or business owner—comes with its own set of challenges. The transition from employee to leader can be stressful, requiring a shift in mindset and responsibility. However, embracing this challenge puts you in a position to make a real impact—not only on the success of your business but also on the lives of your employees and your community.
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Jan 22, 2025 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Are you currently working at a sign shop, convinced you could run your own shop better? Maybe you’re exploring a second career and considering a sign franchise. Or perhaps you simply love all things signage and want to dive into the industry. Whatever brought you here, welcome! The sign industry is an incredible field full of opportunities—design, sales, project management, and a range of technical trades like fabrication and installation.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Finding the right people to bring your vision to life is a challenge every sign business owner faces. In the signage industry, where creativity and technical skills meet, your team can make or break your success. Hiring and retaining employees is no easy task, but with the right strategy, you can build a dedicated crew that ensures your shop’s success. Here’s what you need to know to build a winning team. YOU are your first hire.
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Nov 13, 2024 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Have you ever stood on the Las Vegas Strip or in New York’s Times Square with your mouth wide open, staring at all the Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) thinking, “these signs are incredible!”? It’s a common experience for us sign professionals. You’ll notice how people’s eyes are glued to the signs as if they’re zombies.
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Oct 16, 2024 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Do wayfinding projects feel overly complicated? You’re not alone—many sign shop owners can relate. When I first ran my electric sign shop and was asked about ADA signage, I confidently replied, “Of course, we can handle your wayfinding project!” In my mind, I thought, “How hard could it be?” Then reality hit: sign placement, ADA compliance, tight deadlines—it was a lot to manage. The challenges are real, but they’re not impossible to overcome.
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Sep 18, 2024 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
Building a sustainable and profitable shop is both challenging and rewarding. Before launching a sign and graphics business, it’s important to know there are many ways to begin. So let’s dive in. In the Behind the Signs community, someone recently asked how to get started in the graphics business. Their three main questions were: How do I get training? How do I find suppliers and wholesale vendors? What type of projects should I start with?
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Aug 21, 2024 | 
signshop.com | Joe Arenella |Alex Marcheschi
I am not a designer. When I first started my business, I did not understand the value design brought to my business or my clients. So, the truth is, I ran a sign shop for years and never charged for design work. It was just a small line item on our estimate sheets, and we never signed a contract for the design portion of our projects. I was wrong. I had no problem charging for surveys, permits, crane time and fabrication.
