ST’s Brain Squad Off the Clock This Summer

ABOVE PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

IT GOES WITHOUT saying that sign pros work hard for a living, so each year many plan to step back from the office or shop routine. We recently asked the ST Brain Squad, our survey group of sign company owners and top managers, if they had vacation plans this summer — or at another time of the year.

“We close the shop every year, for one week at Christmas and one week during 4th of July. It’s the only way we can actually take time off and NOT WORRY what’s happening or not happening at the shop while we are away!” says Christy Young from Fine Signs & Graphics, Inc. (Williamsburg, VA).

Here’s what 28 additional sign pros are doing for vacation this year. What are you doing?

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Destination: Florida

Some Brain Squad members plan trips to the Sunshine State while others just need a chill pill…

• Visit my family in Florida for my father’s 90th birthday. Also go to Catalina for a few days and stay at a hotel overlooking the ocean. — Tracey K., El Cajon, CA
• Orlando-Disney! We do it for the kids, LOL. — Erin R., Loxahatchee, FL
• Going to a small fishing village in Florida and hanging out. No fishing, just chillin! — Ted N., Chattanooga, TN

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On the Beach or Water

A popular choice for many Brain Squad members…

• I always try to stretch to a longer weekend at the beach or go for a week with family somewhere. — Marco M., Orlando, FL
• My wife and I travel to a different island every year (sometimes near, sometimes far) for our wedding anniversary. I was able to get our island trip planned and booked a few years in a row before my wife caught on to the theme! — Matthew T., Seattle
• Taking my family to the Gulf Coast then I’m turning off my phone notifications. I already have my OOO reply scripted. Seafood, local brews and live music. Can’t wait! — Joe A., Middletown, OH
• Annual boating trip won the Great Lakes in late July. — Alan H., Traverse City, MI
• I’ll be by the shore, yet still finding a way to work remotely. The business is capable in that way by design. — Derek A., Columbus, OH

Road Trippin’

… in a minivan – with a “Wolf Pack”…

• We plan to go on a long weekend road trip with our daughter who just graduated high school, before she goes to college. — Gayle L., Dallas
• Driving tour of Nova Scotia. — Peter P., Swanzey, NH
• We plan on a small ‘Wolf Pack’ (maiden name ) cousins’ trip in Brenham at Rockin Star Ranch, where we catch up on each other’s lives, rest and recreate. We’ll swim, feed animals, grill, roast marshmallows and do some horseback riding. Just recharge and balance ourselves before coming back reset and ready! — Wendy A., Austin, TX
• Having a cousin’s trip in Northern Minnesota. We also have a few association gatherings that we are going to be attending around the state of Texas. — Matt B., Conroe, TX
• Taking a side-by-side trip, for a week. — Mike C., South Colton, NY
• Kickstand up and rollin’ to Sturgis and road to the sun. — Myke B., Jamestown, ND

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Time with Family

Especially for those Brain Squad members with out-of-town relatives, vacations offer the opportunity to visit, bond and have fun…

• Taking an extended weekend with the family in August to get away, in-state. — Gary F., Monticello, IA
• Family reunion cruise to Alaska. — Joe G., Portland, OR
• This year, I am taking my family to the west coast of France — time on the Atlantic, good food and some of the finest wine the region has to offer. — Torey R., Troy, MI
• Biggest thing is to disconnect from work and be present with kids and family. Our team is growing and improving. I think they are ready to handle it. — Trevor L., Troy, OH
• Traveling to see family and son on the East Coast. — David K., Tualatin, OR
• Visit distant family members. — Don B., Cypress, CA

Traveling the USA

One country, many options for travel and activities…

• On my way to the mountains as I fill this survery out on the plane. — Kelly B., Myrtle Beach, SC
• Always fishing and hiking and camping. The best! Don’t give a rat’s ass about touristy destinations. Away from everyone in the mountains is the best for me! — Carey G., Great Falls, MT
• July heading to Seattle (staying downtown), visiting Whidbey Island & Bainbridge this time. The BEST time of year to go! — Chrysanna H., Tampa, FL
• My 40th high school class reunion in Montana. — Margie H., Worthington, OH

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Staycations for Good Reasons

Finally, some Brain Squad members are happy just to stay home altogether…

• I usually like to build in some stay at home days for the honey-do list and get out of town for a few days. — Thomas N., Louisville, KY
• Rest… — David H., Staten Island, NY
• Not turning my computer or cell phone on. — Ted D., Covina, CA
• I live where the rest of the world comes for holidays. Lakes, miles of lake side biking, hiking, wineries, festivals…. I’ll go and enjoy some of this stuff! — Nancy W., Vernon, BC, Canada

If you’re the owner or top manager of a sign company in the US or Canada and you’d like to contribute to content like this, sign up at signsofthetimes.com/brainsquad.