Life Long Passion Leads To Career Change For Local Business Owner

Life Long Passion Leads To Career Change For Local Business Owner

Kathy Evert had enjoyed a career in executive management of non-profit economic development and chamber of commerce organizations which had allowed her to focus on her passion for working with entrepreneurs and businesses. In 2013, she decided to pursue these passions in a new way and purchased her Signarama business. Evert acquired her Signarama location at 1450 NE 69th Pl., #55 on June 22nd serving the Des Moines- Ames Metro area with the signage services that have made Signarama a worldwide industry leader.

For 30 years Evert worked directly with entrepreneurs, businesses and companies of all types and sizes assisting them with starting or growing their businesses. When she lost her husband suddenly, Evert decided to look into business ownership. While searching for the perfect fit, she simultaneously started her own consulting business, KJE Solutions, LLC., which involves talent recruitment for non-profit organizations, strategic planning, marketing research and sales for other organizations.

“Assisting entrepreneurs and businesses has been a passion of mine for many years,” said Evert. “Signarama allowed me to continue that passion by helping businesses promote, advertise and grow. At my age many people would be thinking about retirement, but I am thinking about starting and growing my small business.”

Evert, who has always been a proponent of manufacturing, had a strong appreciation of the 30-year history of Signarama and the system behind it. “The technology in the industry is changing as fast as most industries which mean the products and capabilities of what we can create and provide to our customers is exciting,” said Evert. “We’re seeing strong growth in interior wall graphics as well as vehicle graphics and wraps.”

Not only does Evert aim to help local businesses, she continues to give back to her community. Evert continues to serve as community coach to Sac County through the Hometown Pride Program, an initiative of Keep Iowa Beautiful. She has also served on the board of directors of Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) for eight years and is the current chairman of the board. CHI is one of Iowa’s largest providers and developers of affordable housing.

Signarama
1450 NE 69th Pl.
Ankeny , Iowa 50021
Phone: 515-216-1240
E-Mail:
Website URL: www.signarama.com/ia-ankeny

Mike Grover of Transworld Santa Clarita Featured in SCV News

As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and having spent 35 years in the military, Santa Clarita resident Mike Grover is no stranger to a challenge — after all, he was sent to Afghanistan for his 50th birthday.

Along with serving his country, Grover built an impressive business resume over 25 years spanning non-profit leadership, international business development, business ownership and consulting.

“I was able to maintain parallel careers in the military and business and was fortunate to be successful in both,” said Grover, who was a commander in the Navy and most recently served as a Crisis and Contingency Planner for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

He also served as the Commanding Officer of the reserve components of Naval Security Group, Lemoore and Commander, Amphibious Squadron ONE as well as Executive officer for Commander, Surface Forces, an Expeditionary Port Unit for Military Sealift Command and Amphibious Squad ONE.

Along with his business consulting practice, the 53-year-old Grover is bringing his wealth of experience to a new endeavor since recently becoming an advisor with Transworld Business Advisors, the world leader in the marketing and sales of businesses, franchises and commercial real estate.

Whether for an acquisition-minded corporation or individual interested in owning a franchise, Transworld Business Advisors offers clients throughout Santa Clarita Valley the professional services that successfully bring buyers and sellers together.

Grover was most recently the COO of a $15 million non-profit agency in Bakersfield, but left that career and his former home when he fell in love with his new wife, Nancy, and the Santa Clarita community.

Because Grover has built such a diverse business background over the last 25 years, he knows exactly what his clients are seeking.

“My clients are entrepreneurs,” Grover said. “They are looking to improve their existing business, start a new business, or capitalize on their success. Buyers are looking for a type of business they can sink their teeth into or have a passion for, while a prospective seller is typically looking to craft an exit strategy with a 1, 2 or 3-plus years horizon, depending on their need.”

The Transworld business model is unique because it combines the synergy of three separate industries: a business brokerage, franchise consulting and franchise development, which has helped it to become the No. 1 franchise in the business brokerage industry of the annual Entrepreneur “Franchise 500” listing.

“My clients are typically successful in their field but are entering into an arena that is almost always new to them,” Grover said. “I am a professional intermediary and help walk them through the processes involved, in concert with their legal and accounting team.”

Source: SCV News

Titus Franchise Center

Titus Franchise Center

Franchising World recently wrote an article about the new Titus Franchising Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University. We have attached a clip of the article, click the image for a full sized view.

Franchising-World

He Took 32 Years Of Corporate Life At Intel As A Sign To Open His Own Business

The signs of success were all there when Nick Ade of East Mesa decided to open a Signarama franchise. Signarama has 900 stores world-wide, featuring trained specialists who understand the unique advertising and marketing needs of today’s constantly evolving market. Signarama offers impactful solutions from digital signs and vehicle wraps to banners, monument, neon, LED and pylon signs. Ade wants to help other small businesses grow “by introducing them to advertising tools that can really make a big impact in their business.”

The company offers branding and messaging solutions in addition to comprehensive sign and graphic services to consumers and commercial customers – from business signs, vehicle wraps, and digital signs, to advertising and marketing services. Signarama is part of a successful system of business-to-business franchise brands and development services under the West Palm Beach based franchise experts United Franchise Group.

“I always wanted to own a small business,” said Ade, who worked for Intel in the management, technical and engineering divisions for 32 years. “The sign industry has always appealed to me because I get to reach out into my community and help make a difference.”

His store will be located in Kiowa Village, 2235 S. Power Rd. and will be serving East Mesa, East Gilbert, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and Highley. Ade will open the doors to his new business on May 20th.

“I was used to an organized, structured environment at Intel, lots of intelligent co-workers and the place humming and ticking all day with productivity. I felt the same way when I visited the Signarama offices,” shared Ade. “I am doing something I have always wanted to do and this is to build up a small business and create jobs for my local community.”

Ade plans to grow his business to a team of employees dedicated to building the local business community through commerce. A volunteer athletics coach and scout leader, Ade also intends “to give back to help non-profits get their word and mission statement to the community.”

As part of the $49-billion-plus worldwide sign market, Signarama has been at the forefront of the sign industry for decades, providing cost-effective advertising and branding solutions for companies.

By taking sign production from industrial facilities and warehouses to a clean, accessible retail space, Signarama has made sign buying an easier more pleasant experience.

Ade is excited and encouraged by one notable trend: wall/art décor for small businesses. “Wall graphics spruce up your office or business.”

Ade’s advice to would be entrepreneurs and franchisees is to understand the local market. Research and seek opinions from business organizations. Perform a market survey and visit competitors. “Don’t go it alone and make sure you have a support team.”

Signarama of East Mesa
2235 S. Power Rd. #117
Mesa , AZ 85209
Phone: 480-284-8788
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website URL: www.signarama.com/az-mesa-east

Monday Meeting: Ray Titus of United Franchise Group

WEST PALM BEACH — If you want Ray Titus to hire you, walk quickly.
Titus, chief executive of West Palm Beach-based United Franchise Group, values hustle.

“One of the things we say is if someone is a slow walker, they’re a slow worker,” Titus says. “Pace is very important. If somebody has their head down, they’re walking very slow, they don’t make good eye contact, chances are I’m not going to hire them.”

Read More: mypalmbeachpost.com