84% of Signshops Close on Black Friday – Our Brain Squad Explains

DO YOU OR DON'T YOU: “We strive to be the opposite of corporate America,” says one sign pro.

Published

1 year ago

November 23, 2021

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times November 2021 Issue

QUESTION:

Is your sign company closed on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving Day?

Yes: 84%

I was an employee before I became the owner of the company. Playing games and bonding with traveling family members late on Thanksgiving sucked when I knew I had to be at work at eight the next day… and most companies have that as a four-day-off benefit. — Jennifer Boyd, Artsign Design, Boise, Id
It is a union holiday. — Ken Becvar, Integrity Sign Co., Mokena, IL
This is a great time to allow our employees time with their families. Football, family, friends and free time. We work hard to create a great family-oriented company culture. We strive to be the opposite of corporate America. Employees come first. — Christopher Meinsen, Perspective1, Tampa, FL
My clients are closed and I’m not a brick-and-mortar business. — Lisa Havniear, LA Designs, Mabelvale, AR
We have a long tradition of closing the Friday after Thanksgiving. This allows our team to spend more quality time with their families and makes traveling a bit less stressful. — Cain Goettelman, FLS Banners, Sturgeon Bay, WI
We are most thankful for the love of family and we spend the holiday as a weekend celebration. — Herbie Nally, Walldogs Dba Mason Signs, Mason, OH
I do usually keep an eye on the email just in case someone is needing us, I can run in. The rest of our staff is off to celebrate the holiday. — Heather Jack, Fastsigns Oklahoma City, OK-South, Oklahoma City, OK

No: 16%

If employees want off that day, they can use PTO time but, for the most part, the guys here want to work that day. There is always too much work happening to take the day [off] unless you have something planned. — Michael Johnson, Henry Graphics, Buford, GA
This is not a big deal in Canada. — Geoff Orlick, Quality Designs Ltd., Campbell River, Bc, Canada

QUESTION:

What are you finding to be in SHORTEST supply at your sign company right now?

Trained staff or labor
41%
Time to fit in all the work
36%
Vinyl, magnetics, or other substrates
18%
Electric sign components
2%
Other (Both time and trained staff, aluminum and 3M vinyl)
3%

QUESTION:

What are you finding to be in GREATEST supply at your sign company right now?

Estimates not being acted on
24%
Delays from customers, permitters, etc.
31%
Orders on backlog for the rest of 2021
22%
Accounts that haven’t paid you yet
17%
Other (Sales leads, aches and pains)
6%

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a signage and graphics company in the US or Canada, you’re invited to join the Signs of the Times Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute survey each month, you will receive access to some of the industry’s freshest data on sales — including your fellow members’ comments on what’s selling and what isn’t — and can make your voice heard on key issues affecting the sign industry. Sound good? Sign up here.

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