Editor's Note

Voicing Support

Five women’s stories teach as much as they inspire.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

Mark Kissling Signs of the Times April 2026 Issue

THE WOMEN IN SIGNS AWARDS issue is one of my favorites every year — this being our sixth year honoring top female professionals in the industry. Despite the challenge I share with ST Assistant Editor Mildred Nguyen in having to start our judging process (i.e., having to pass on so many deserving candidates), the end result is always worth it.

The profiles Mildred has written so well this year will inspire everyone, men and women alike. Most people root for the underdog in any story, and while every single woman in our awards feature is far more an overachiever now, their tales of hard knocks, not being taken seriously and more reveal their difficult starting positions.

So, please read and enjoy our cover story, and if you’re attending the ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando, FL, April 8-10, join us for a cocktail celebration where we’ll honor the 2026 Women in Signs Award winners who are able to be present: April 9 at 4 p.m. in ISA’s Learning Lounge (booth 571).

All of us can learn something from these outstanding women in the sign industry, whether how to persevere, how to learn first and mentor later, or simply to appreciate what they’ve been through, done and brought to all of us in signs. Congratulations!

5 Smart Tips from This Issue

Get an overview of purpose-built work tables for signshops. (Tech Products)
Check out the suggested company investments for $10K, $50K and $100K. (If My Shop Won the Lottery)
Prioritize projects — or anything — using a four-square matrix. (Maggie Harlow)
Plan for sign designs by thinking like a fabricator and installer. (Heidi Tillmanns)
Compare your company’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio with our Brain Squad’s. (Buzz Session)

Secrets of Lead Generation

Boost your sales by generating more leads! In this light and lively webinar featuring Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Louisville Downtown (Louisville, KY) and the “Business of Signs” columnist for Signs of the Times, learn the secrets of how leads are generated, where they come from and how you can cultivate better (not just more) leads.