FASTSIGNS finances new facility construction

“What do you do when the large-scale projects your visual communication business tackles have outgrown the space they are created in?” asked Karrie Brock, owner of FASTSIGNS – a locally and independently-owned and operated sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise that provides comprehensive visual marketing solutions to customers of all sizes and industries. Luckily for her, the answer was right next door.

When searching the Toledo market for the right property in which to better meet client demand, Brock never found the right fit until she eyed the empty lot located at 1100 North McCord Road adjacent to her former space. Brock turned to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority – with help from Signature Bank – to obtain a Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan to construct a new 6,300 square foot facility capable of handling the all-encompassing designs at which Brock and her team excel.

“Securing our roots and foundation in the local market was important to me personally, as well as professionally,” said Brock. “Creating our space from the ground up has allowed us to expand and enhance our capabilities that we can offer to other local businesses.”

The company partnered with custom builder Steve Gillenwater of Squires Development to construct the new location. The project broke ground in June 2018 and opened in January. The new facility has increased the footprint of her business by 50%, noted Brock.

For over 20 years, Brock has provided the community with everything from banners to building signs, vehicle graphics to trade show exhibits, printing to point-of-purchase signs, and window graphics to wall decals. Brock opened shop as Signs & Designs in 1997, then franchised with FASTSIGNS in 2011 to give her increased visibility in a growing competitive market.

“Our company is unique in that we work with businesses large and small on projects of almost any size,” said Brock. “We have a good place in the market to help businesses keep their branding consistent with one localized source. Our in-house capabilities allow us to produce 85% of our products right in our own facility.”

“In the spring of 2011, we converted our independent sign shop to a FASTSIGNS franchise so we could grow our capabilities and network and in 2016 we opened the Maumee Center,” said Brock. “Currently, we have two local, full-service production centers specializing in full color, large format graphics, custom architectural signage, and branding packages. Our company thrives on building its list of custom services and maintaining quality customer service at affordable prices. We are a one stop shop for all your graphic solutions,” said Brock.

One of her recent challenges was a collaboration with the Scramblers Restaurants brands, owner of several breakfast spots in Ohio and Michigan. Given an idea and a concept, Brock went to work and what she came up with won a national award for Project of The Year by Wide-Format & Signage magazine.

“Being given a blank slate and delivering a full design from name to signage to interior statement walls, menu boards, and custom visual graphics was a thrilling venture,” said Brock. “What we want our community to know is that while we enjoy doing vehicle graphics and special event signage, we also offer much more – logo and brand development or refresh, marketing consultation, and custom signage is where our entire team excels.”

The company currently has nine employees at the new Toledo center, and two working at the Maumee center located at 1470 Ford Street. Brock noted that the financing from the Port Authority and Signature Bank helped make her dreams come true, as well as setting a fixed-cost for the facility and investment in the future.

When speaking of advice she would give to others who are considering financing for their small businesses, Brock simply said, “The process takes time and you need to make sure you are a stable investment for them.”