Impact Signs

Angela Hodges, Owner/Operator
“I actually gave myself a raise”, exclaims Angela Hodges, owner and operator of Impact Signs. A hectic business life, long hours of work and total dedication are paying off.

When Angela found out about a sign business for sale she did not dream of taking a serious look at it herself. She was full time employed. Shortly after, her employers decided to close down the business, leaving Angela looking at all other options to continue working. While at the Employment Insurance office she found out about Community Futures’ Self Employment Workshops and decided to participate with the purchase of the sign business in mind. “I had never run a business before and knew nothing about creating signs, but I had the assurance of the seller that he would be willing to train me”.

“Creating a business plan forced me to take an undiluted realistic look at what the business had generated up to that point and what it would look like with my new ideas incorporated.” Although Angela does not create complete annually forecasts any more, she is very much on top of her business activities. Her accounting program allows her to compare month by month and she keeps very close track.
At this point, four years later, Angela has the option to expand. It would involve a move to larger premises and hiring staff. She has decided against it. The workshop is located in the basement of the family home. It allows her to fit home activities into the hectic business schedule. When life gets too crazy there is always her newly retired husband taking up the slack. He runs errands for her, cuts the material and helps with the installations. “Why ruin a good thing, ” Angela says. She and her husband have been able to plan and take up to two weeks of holidays every year and the odd long weekend.

“I’m constantly upgrading programs, staying on top of what is hot in the industry and increasing my skills.” The yellow pages, corporate sponsorship, donations, promotions to existing customers, signs at relevant locations and, most of all, word of mouth are Angela’s ways of keeping her business in the mind of her target market.

“I enjoy the total control of where the business is going and the autonomy of decision making. I don’t have to answer to anyone. Being able to work at home gives me the flexible hours to manage work, family and household.”