It was 2007, and I was working for my father in our family-owned hardware store. I enjoyed retail but was looking for something more creative. I appreciated interacting with customers and helping them find solutions to their needs. However, the hardware store did not seem to align with what I was looking for. From a young age, I had been fascinated with color and artwork and loved to draw. How could I put this creativity to use?

One day, a friend who had a small sign-making hobby approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping him with a few small jobs. I agreed and quickly realized that this type of work was enjoyable and something I might pursue further. I did not want to compete with him but mentioned that I would be interested in taking over his hobby if he ever decided to let it go. Shortly after that conversation, he decided to move on to other things. And so, it began. I purchased new equipment, spent a day training with him, and paid $3,000 for a few supplies and his list of customers.

It didn’t take long for things to take off. I came up with the name Designer Signs & Graphics, put a small sign in the window of my father’s store, and anxiously waited for my first customer. I already had a good relationship with many of our customers, so they quickly caught on to the change. Using my father’s small desk in the back office, I began making magnetic signs and small decals. Soon, the orders grew more complex, and I purchased a used printer. That printer barely fit through the door and took up most of my father’s office. He was patient with me as the business expanded. Before long, I moved out of the office and into the back of the store. From there, my little business grew, and within two years, I had stopped working in the hardware store to focus on signs full-time.

In 2009, we changed the name to Promark Sign & Apparel Solutions. By then, things were really taking off. I had a full-time employee, and my wife was heavily involved in the shop. Eventually, we moved the shop to our home due to my father selling his store. We operated out of our home until we could build a dedicated shop. In 2015, our new shop was completed, and we moved in. What a blessing it was to have plenty of space and a nice office. Currently, we have well over 6,000 square feet of space and six large bays to accommodate the many vehicles and pieces of equipment we customize for our customers. We strive to stay current with new products and, with our modern equipment, can print full, vibrant color on a wide variety of substrates. Our family works together each day, and we still enjoy helping our customers find the right solutions for their needs.