A tradition of quality since 1989.
Sign Biz, Inc., founded in 1989, has built the number-one non-franchised sign business network across 43 states and six countries.
Commitment, connection, innovation and education. We set the bar, we set the pace, and we foster Member success stories, every day.
With vast experience and an excellent track record, we have positioned ourselves as the ideal solution for new sign industry entrepreneurs and fast-growing sign manufacturers.
SIGN BIZ BUILDS STRONG SIGN BUSINESSES
The Sign Biz Network is a worldwide chain of independently-owned sign businesses founded with the Sign Biz model and located across the US and six foreign markets. Established in 1989 as a full-service business partner to those entering the sign industry, Sign Biz has grown the largest chain of non-franchised sign companies in the world today. But it is much more than that. Hundreds of entrepreneurs who entered the visual communications industry with no prior experience, operating nearly 200 digital sign enterprises that were born in partnership with Sign Biz, Inc, excel today in their businesses. Today, the Sign Biz Network has achieved the highest revenue per capita of all sign chains, franchised or otherwise. Working hand-in-hand with our Members and Advisory Board, the home office team extends the depth of knowledge and reach of each business owner.
History
Our roots date back to 1985 when the company president, Teresa M. Young opened one of the first “vinyl” sign shops in the western US. More than three decades later, history is still being made.
Financial Guidance
Our business plan yields a path forward for many entrepreneurs who might otherwise be unable to pursue their dream of business ownership. Financial institutions have approved 99% of our new Members.
Shop Assessment
For new and existing sign companies, we offer a knowledgeable shop assessment and can “shore up” any weak systems. A one-page self-assessment checklist is offered for free to any sign shop owner.
Protected Territories
Using only pre-qualified businesses in the count, generous Territory protections are in place for every Member, including a required minimum distance between shops, 2X protection for peace of mind.
Accolades
From trade publications to trade associations and beyond, more than 50 awards and honors have been presented to Sign Biz, Inc. and the Sign Biz Network. Learn more about these by visiting our News Room.
The Advisory Board
18 Sign Biz Members serve on the Sign Biz Advisory Board, representing 8 Regions including International. They work with the home office to develop each year’s education program and mentoring services.
EXECUTIVE & SUPPORT TEAM
- Teresa M. Young
- David McCutcheon
- Scott Mead
- Mary Silverstone
- Paul Strauch
- Alicia Hanson
- Paul Williams
- Alexandria Shin
- Denise Barrett
Teresa M. Young
DSCE, PRESIDENT & CEO
For over 25 years, Teresa M. Young has supported new entrepreneurs entering the digital sign and graphics industry, originally as mentor and trainer while operating her own sign business (1985-1991). She received recognition as a Semi-Finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP, USA Today, and NASDAQ. Teresa was elected to the Board of Directors for the International Sign Association (ISA) in 2001. She became the first woman in the Association’s 70-year history to hold the Chairman’s position ( 2007). Teresa works one-on-one with new entrepreneurs to guide them through due diligence, business plan, growing pains and beyond, and fosters a generous and open culture throughout the organization. She also served as President of the Board for the California Sign Association. John Campbell, Member of Congress, and Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Architect of the Capitol, honored Teresa with an American Flag that was flown over the White House in her honor on March 11, 2008, for dedication to and support of the on-premise sign industry.
David McCutcheon
DSCE, DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES
In 1996, David was the Senior Buyer with a electronics broker company. Soon rising to the position of Systems Administrator, he managed corporate platforms down to the desktop system. He joined the Sign Biz team in 2005 to provide networking assistance, hardware and software diagnosis and repair, IT management, and to assure each new custom signmaking and POS system is built to rigid specifications. He manages technical support staff, is a Microsoft Partner, and an Advanced Roland Technician, and HP Latex trained. Sign Biz Members offer great compliments for his expertise and good nature. David also maintains the Network’s electronic message service, wherein Members communicate instantaneously with all other Network Members around the globe at the touch of the ‘send’ button.
Scott Mead
DSCE, MULTIMEDIA ENGINEER
With a 20-year career in music and multimedia engineering, Scott is the ultimate video production pro behind the scores of workshop DVDs, LobbyPOP movie content, and the videography that makes it all come together. His professional work began in the 1980’s, serving many years as a technical support engineer and equipment advisor for recording studios in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas, assisting in recording sessions with Bob Seger, Mike Lutz of Tazmania, The Recording Institute of Detroit, Rick Medlocke and many independent artists. Clients have included the University of Michigan Staff on behalf of Yamaha for their new digital consoles, Guitar Center on behalf of Lexicon for their new computer hardware and digital reverbs, and original soundtrack development for Philips Consumer Electronics and Dominos Pizza. He brings great talent to each Member’s LobbyPOP® dynamic sign product, and authors countless educational videos. When not hard at work on video or sound projects, Scott can often be found playing classic rock tunes … on the ukulele!
Mary Silverstone
SALES & MARKETING TRAINER
Mary developed the sales people, managers and trainers that grew Jenny Craig Int’l. from a $68M company to more than $260M, first as Director of Sales and Trainings and then as VP of Franchise. During this 11-year tenure, she authored and delivered franchise-training programs for their expansion from 50 to over 800 Jenny Craig centers. Her expertise led her to a position of Global Director of Sales Training for Callaway Golf, resulting in company revenue growth from $700M to more than $800M in a three-year period. Mary is a creative, results-oriented Sales Management Executive who presents an eight-hour sales and marketing class during the Sign Biz Formal Training Program, delivering with energy, ethics and enjoyment.
Paul Strauch
DISTINGUISHED EMERITUS
Paul has more than 30 years in commercial and industrial real estate, as both owner and principal broker, in Hawaii, as well as in New York. He conducted certified real estate license course training, as well as managed client capital acquisitions and funding programs, and brought a precedent- setting legal case before the Hawaii State Supreme Court. (The Court’s decision in favor of his real estate company is used today as part of real estate training courses across America.) This experience makes him particularly qualified to provide valuable guidance and instruction to new Sign Biz dealers for site selection, demographic analysis and lease negotiations. Paul continues in his consulting capacity to guide Members of the Sign Biz Network.
Alicia Hanson
SIGN TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR
Alicia Hanson brings 20 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of the fundamentals of good sign design to her role as Sign Technology Instructor at Sign Biz, Inc. Hanson has been involved is all aspects of the sign industry since 1994 when she opened her own sign shop, Hayden Signs & Designs, in Poulsbo, WA. Alicia successfully sold the business in 1998 to trade-show company Steelhead Productions, segueing into the Creative Director role for leading environmental graphic design firms on the West Coast. Her work has been featured in Sign Business and SignCraft magazines. New owners also benefit from Alicia’s skills as she develops each new business logo and identity package.
Paul Williams
STRATEGIC MEMBER COACH
Paul has coached hundreds of Sign Biz Members over the years, part of the on-going support services in the Sign Biz Program. He joined the organization 23 years ago, and was the first computer-aided sign making industry consultant in America, often doubling profit margins and increasing the quality of life for many entrepreneurs. He has worked with business owners to redefine the owner’s role, decreasing involvement in day-to-day operations by 50%, while increasing owner’s income. He works with large corporations, national entities, and the Sign Biz network and brings third-party objectivity, industry-proven guideposts, and support structures for meaningful strategies, using skills learned in the service of Fortune 500 companies. Visit: www.eodyssey.com
Alexandria Shin
ARCHITECTURE & FLOOR PLANS
Through the services of our specially selected space planner, HS Design Studio, a consultation and draft of proposed space layout for lease sites is included for new store owners, and available to existing Network Members, from the principal of the firm, Alexandria Shin. She has studied architecture and interior design, and you can expect a design that reflects more than a decade of experience specifically devoted to the digital sign and graphics industry. We are experts in understanding the unique challenges of your marketplace. Prior experience includes work as a construction manager, making Alex extremely qualified to work with our sign store specifications, as she has managed all facets of construction and phasing for a wide range of design and identity specifications.
Denise Barrett
QUICKBOOKS PRO SUPPORT
Denise Barrett offers more than 29 years of experience assisting individuals who own small businesses as well as corporate executives, and leaders in industry. She provides an orientation to QuickBooks accounting software setup and our uniform Chart of Accounts. During the Formal Training Program, Denise gives each new business owner a thorough overview of how QBP is used to manage the business finances, and she serves each individual client according to their specific need. Denise brings her upbeat approach to the training center classes and then offers her services a la carte if a new owner needs assistance later on, at any time. With the most advanced security measures available today, she and the bookkeeping department team can provide bookkeeping services, payroll, and sound fiscal management to any location nationwide. Denise brings a wealth of experience to individuals in business from her personal experience building a small business, and serving hundreds of business owners over the years. Denise and her husband Sean have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. The grandkids are her favorite hobby!
SOME COMPANY VALUES
We measure abundance of resources in terms of the integrity, loyalty, and quality of our relationships with each other, and our planet’s resources.
Along with being Microsoft Certified Partners, we are privileged to be partnering with these quality companies among others:
3M, Accucutter, Cyrious, Daige, Encad, Fletcher-Terry, GBC, Gemini, Graphtec, HP, Ingram Micro, LG, LobbyPOP, Mimaki, Mutoh, Onyx, Orbus, Panasonic, Roland, Royal Sovereign, SAi, Samsung, SawTrax, Seal, SignMojo, Viewsonic, XRite, Zoo Printing, & many other manufacturers.
Trust is EVERYTHING. The entire organization demonstrates extraordinary trust and support. The culture is open, caring and knowledgeable. But it is far more valuable to gain these insights from Members themselves. Give them a call.
We cultivate a highly interactive environment with a focus on quality training programs that have both immediate as well as long-term relevance.
The Sign Biz corporation maintains a well-connected community receiving personal attention and immediate response from staff and Members around the globe.
We work in partnership with our affiliates to support the rights of the sign industry.
We foster invention, innovation, and environmentally-friendly practices in the visual communications industry as a way of creating innovative, commercially viable, and socially beneficial businesses and sustainable opportunities in the United States and abroad. We established Ecosignage.org in support of this initiative.
Even our website is environment-friendly. EPA Green Power Partner, certifies that signbiz.com is powered by 100% wind energy. That means the servers, data centers and offices supporting signbiz.com are powered by renewable energy. For every KWH used, our ISP purchases twice that amount of wind energy in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). This helps prevent the release of 3,764 metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere annually- equivalent to planting 803 acres of trees!
We measure progress by the progress of our Network entrepreneurs. We measure success in degrees of trust and respect. We recognize the assertiveness, ingenuity, and support of the hundreds of men and women who define this organization every day.
We keep up with the latest OSHA codes and compliance requirements. We also have experts in the field of ADA, air quality, space build-out, architecture, and more to serve our Members. A Pro Forma safety manual is one critical item we supply to members, to comply with regulations.
Free Emergency Response Guide Courtesy of Sign Biz Inc.
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MISSION
Our Mission is to provide an innovative and productive digital sign & graphics business model, the best education and equipment, and lifetime member services, to support entrepreneurship in the most successful network of full-service imaging sign companies worldwide.
VISION
Sign Biz, Inc. is the most respected full-service business development company for sign industry professionals. Ongoing support for expansion, marketing, national accounts, hiring and training, education summits, technical support, and more are unparallelled.
