Today we’d like to introduce you to Charity Handley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started when I was 16 years old. I began working at a sign shop in Wilson, NC just to get some extra spending money. I knew the owner and some people who worked there and I was very excited to begin my first real job, When I began working, I realized it was more than just some extra spending money that was receiving. I received the gateway into my passion: sign design and creation. I found myself hungry to learn every aspect of the business from the hands-on assembling of the signs and printing to graphic design and office management. I fell in love with the personal fulfillment I received from seeing my work in public being used to enhance a local business or event. I quickly worked my way up in that business to a point where I was managing other employees, making bigger decisions for the company and communicating with our suppliers. Unfortunately, as time went on, I faced hardships in the business. Although I was managing portions of the business, I found myself frustrated when I saw a need for change but didn’t have the power or the support to carry out changes that could benefit the company. I found myself working very hard without seeing as much reward as I would have liked. I felt like I had hit a wall in my efficiency endeavors and my operations creativity. This wall paired with tension arising in the business caused me to play around with the idea of starting my own business. Once I began planning, God opened door after door so that I could actualize my dream. I found the perfect storefront in downtown Wilson, NC that was a perfect fit. The paperwork and licensing process was easy and flawless. Lastly, I received so much support form local businesses that were looking for a more efficient business to fulfill their needs on time. Since then, I have been building my business for a year and a half, with the goals of efficiency, personal service and affordability in mind. My business focuses on my community and building other businesses and organizations up so that they too can meet their goals.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had several struggles along the way. My business was funded by my own personal savings. The first couple of months, I was overcome by fear of not making it financially. Some months, it’s almost too scary to admit by how much I barely got by. Eventually, I had to take an evening job at a restaurant so that I could reinvest my profits rather than taking them all out of the business. Another struggle I’ve experienced is convincing people of my ability to fulfill their needs in spite of my demographic. I started this business when I was 23 and am now a 25 year old woman. I’ve had to slowly build up confidence and trust within my community that though I may be young, I can still get your company what they need, when they need it. Another struggle I will mention is definitely when I was, and still am, experiencing a learning curve. As much as I learned at the shop I used to work at, there were still many thing I needed to learn once I opened my own business, from taxes and time management, to printer maintenance and sign lamination. Lastly, it has been hard to be 100% of my own motivation. I do not have a boss or manager above me to impress, nor do I have any coworkers to please. I have to get up every day, no matter how I am feeling, and say no to distractions and say yes to getting the work done, without any social motivation from other.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wilson Signs and Graphics LLC?
We are a sign printing business that prints yard signs, banners, decals, long and short-term signs, indoor and outdoor signs, vehicle graphics, storefront graphics and posters. We provide graphic design, printing, installation and shipping services. Our services are known for being fast, precise and community based. Out of those things, I would say our speed sets us apart the most. A lot of our customers choose us because they need signs for their businesses or events within just a couple days, which a lot of sign shops can’t deliver that fast. I am most proud of Wilson Signs and Graphics’ ability to help other businesses and organizations. It has a deeper meaning to me when I know the local food bank has what they need for their upcoming event or that our government municipalities have what they need to continue serving the public. I would like people to know that Wilson Signs and Graphics is there for all our customers’ signage needs, from the small entrepreneur launching their transport business, to the large corporations that provide incomes for hundreds of families and everyone in between.
How do you think about happiness?
Knowing that God is using my business for the good of the community. He uses it to help others acquire wealth from their business to grow their families and do good; to help charity events such as fundraisers and community days; and to make our society better through enriched businesses, organizations and governments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wilsonsignsandgraphics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonsignsandgraphicsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wilson-Signs-and-Graphics-LLC/61555310863166/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilson-signs-and-graphics-llc-40373431a/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wilson-signs-and-graphics-wilson-2
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=wilson+signs+and+graphics
