FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions and AnswersIt's good you have questions! We support due diligence 100% and encourage you take a closer look. Start here, and then feel free to give us a call to ask about our program and services. We are pleased to assist! Click on your question:

What is the difference between a mutual benefit contract and a franchise?
How do I learn more about this industry?
Tell me more about the Sign Biz Business Model
Where is the best place to open a sign company?
What happens if I want to sell my business later?
What is the difference between Sign Biz and a business opportunity?
Since there are no royalties, how does Sign Biz make money?
How involved is Sign Biz in the environmental movement?
How is the Advisory Board elected and what can they do for me?

AnswersWhat is the difference between a mutual benefit contract and a franchise?
The Sign Biz contract provides for on-going products and services to a global network composed of hundreds of independent, interconnected sign companies. These companies form a chain that in turn allows the Sign Biz corporation to secure special vendor programs and which works hand in hand with the corporation to forge key partnerships and services for end-users.  A franchise establishes its own name throughout it's chain in exchange for a royalty payment, and in turn may promise to offer service to the individual franchisee for those those payments. Payment for use of a uniform name in the franchise system is required by the FTC. A uniform name in consumer service industries may draw customers, however, no studies have shown that business is gained by a common name in the sign industry. Third party research revealed that "brand names" are not a factor in client company decisions to patronize one sign company over another. Under the Sign Biz mutual benefit contract, the business owner does not pay ongoing fees to ensure use of a common name; instead, services are available and purchased as needed, assuring both parties of valid performance and satisfaction. For more details see our Business Model page. Top

AnswersHow do I learn more about this industry?
On the Web you can find search engines and directory sites like http://www.google.com/ and http://www.yahoo.com/, that when queried compile lists of Web pages containing information on a vast variety of topics. Type in a subject or topic to search in the search window, using key words and phrases such as "sign business start-up" or "sign biz" in quotation marks. These will provide links to other pages or files with a great deal of information about the industry and its vitality. You may also visit websites such as that of the International Sign Association (the largest association for the industry) by visiting their website, www.signs.org. They have compiled statistics, as has www.signweb.com. Top

AnswersTell me more about the Sign Biz Business Model...
The complete turnkey sign store program for each new entrepreneur includes every component required by a high quality sign business. There are no broker fees as Sign Biz uses no brokers; the total investment of $153K is used for substantive product and services for each new Network Member. As there are no ongoing royalties, each Network Member is able to capitalize their investment on average 4 times faster than in the franchise business model. In addition, the $1000, $2000, $3000 or more that is not paid out in monthly royalty payments can be channeled back into the business for marketing and expansion. Click on the Business Model Comparison link below, or the Opportunity link above. Top

AnswersWhere is the best place to open a sign company?
Sign Biz has a proprietary list of site selection guidelines which are force-ranked. These are then contrasted with information derived from extensive first-person interviews with local competition, demographic analysis of the proposed community, and vertical market business count for individual zip codes.  Sign Biz is unique in the industry for its detailed analysis of territory, competition, and vertical market mix. These identifiers contribute to this Network's unmatched sales volume per capita, and are therefore proprietary. The minimum territory requirements include 3000 vertical market businesses (roughly equivalent to 5000 total businesses); 1500 to 2000 square feet in a retail center within a qualified area. Read more here Site Selection at the navigation link below. Top

AnswersWhat happens if I want to sell my business later?
Sign Biz Network Members enjoy the most attractive package for an exit plan that includes sale of their business. No other chain, franchised or otherwise, allows a business owner to capitalize on their investment for such a nominal transfer fee.Top 

AnswersWhat is the difference between Sign Biz and a business opportunity or franchise?
At first glance a business opportunity or franchise provider may appear to offer similar new business components to those offered in the Sign Biz business development program. The differences are profound, and the longer you own your sign business, the more apparent they become. The Sign Biz mutual benefit contract is "evergreen," meaning it cannot expire for the life of the business. It also means the services, the education programs, web development and instant communication system via intranet will continue, long after you have graduated from training. 

In addition, a fully-staffed corporate office dedicates itself to developing national account programs and other services strictly for Members. For a side-by-side comparison of program components, visit the Model Comparison link below.  In contrast, the business opportunity providers include equipment and training, but simply do not have the resources to develop new programs in the visual communications industry.  The staff of the Sign Biz corporation together represent well over a century of experience in this industry. An extensive list of R&D programs and complete business development services managed by Sign Biz staff can be found in Support Link above, or visit our detailed links below.Top 

AnswersSince there are no royalties, how does Sign Biz make money?
Sign Biz is one of the top Value Added Resellers in the country for major equipment manufacturers and software developers. When our Network Members grow their companies, they choose to purchase additional computers, printers, software upgrades and other non-consumables from Sign Biz, Inc. They are under no obligation to purchase these products from the corporation, however all Members turn to Sign Biz Inc for the special "below list" prices they obtain as Network Members. I guess you could say we earn money the old-fashioned way - we earn it! Top

AnswersHow involved is Sign Biz in the environmental movement?
Teresa M. Young, President of Sign Biz, has moved the entire organization to act sustainably, and make operations as carbon neutral as feasible. To this end, each new Sign Biz inventory package includes eco-friendly materials that are certified and provide 800 square feet of signage. She was elected to serve as Chairwoman of the Environmental Subcommittee of the International Sign Association in 2008, and continues in that role to support the sign industry as a whole. Sign Biz established the first website resource center for the eco-minded sign industry shops, www.ecosignage.org, which was featured in Signs of the Times magazine in the July, 2010 issue. They wrote, "This website - ecosignage.org - was created by several heavy hitters in the sign industry and environmental movement. The site includes list, research, resources, and forums aimed specifically at the sign industry." Needless to say, Sign Biz Members are on the green edge of signmaking! Top

AnswersHow is the Advisory Board elected and what can they do for me?
To help assist Sign Biz Network Members in their local regions, Sign Biz established an Advisory Board comprised of Network Members. The inaugural board was nominated and elected by the Network back in 1999. A total of 18 Advisory Board members sit for a term of two years, staggered. Each year, six board members are nominated by the existing board, and ratified.  Sign Biz president, Teresa Young, and VP Marketing, Paul Strauch, meet with Advisory Board members to develop each year's national convention, select the venue, and develop policies to further the interests of the Sign Biz Network. As such it is a partner to the corporation, and undertakes significant activities such as beta testing new products, approving vendors for the Network, and developing each year's educational seminars.  Advisory Board Members orchestrate regional owners' meetings throughout the year, conduct regional surveys, and act as mentors to many Sign Biz Network Members around the globe.Top