Better Sign Shop Podcast

Peter Kourounis, Michael Riley, and Bryant Gillespie
  • 4,8 (11)
  • EMPREENDEDORISMO
  • SEMANAL

Learn how to build a better sign and print shop from a few crusty sign guys who've made more mistakes than they care to admit. Conversations and advice on sales, marketing, pricing, growth, and more. Co-hosted by Peter Kourounis, Michael Riley, and Bryant Gillespie.

  1. Evolve Or Die // Rick McDonough of Typestries

    13 DE MAI.

    Evolve Or Die // Rick McDonough of Typestries

    Rick McDonough of Typestries (Long Beach Island, NJ) joins Bryant and Michael for a long-overdue conversation about three decades in the sign business. Rick walks through the unlikely path from a lifeguarding magazine to a college dorm sign shop, the wholesale boom that nearly broke him, and the EFI walk-out moment that made him scrap the contract and rebuild the company around work he actually wanted to do. They get into why AI has Rick more energized than he's been in years, from the food truck cop who designed his entire wrap in ChatGPT, to the Claude-built inventory system that finally solved his missing-bin problem, to the $15K monument signs AI is now pre-selling before the client walks in the door. Plus: why "no ugly signs" is a business strategy, why presentation quality wins bids even when your design is worse, and the workforce cliff that should terrify every shop owner. In this episode: Rick's accidental path into signs (lifeguarding magazine, yearbook, first sandblasted wood sign)The "sald" menu disaster and why proofing is sacredStarting up in 1996 next to a cocaine distribution ringThree decades of equipment chases: Gerber Edge, the In CAD conversion fiasco, Gandy Innovations going bust overnightWalking out on a million-dollar EFI contract when he saw Four Over's order on the floorWhy he intentionally scaled the business down to four peopleThe wholesale vs. retail trap and how to outsource the right wayBurnout, almost selling, and the headmaster who talked him out of itThe food truck cop who changed Rick's mind on AIAI slop vs. good promptingUsing AI to pre-sell $15K signs before the client walks inWhen AI becomes a problem: the 5-vehicle wrap committeeWhat AI can't do: shop drawings, codes, wind load, soil conditionsThe lawn care guy to $3,500 truck wrap pipelineBuilding a Claude-powered inventory system for the shopWhy presentation wins bids (even when the design is worse)"No ugly signs" and why the industry shoots itself in the footSpeaking the language of 20-something entrepreneurs when you're 52Why your sign shop website matters more than everThe coming workforce cliff and the overseas outsourcing questionRick's pitch for getting young people into the tradeChapters: 01:30 Introducing Rick and a 20-year Facebook friendship 03:30 From lifeguarding magazine to first sandblasted wood sign 07:00 The "sald" disaster and the gospel of proofing 10:30 Starting up next to a cocaine distribution ring 12:00 Gerber Edge, NYC film & TV, and the start of wholesale 14:30 In CAD conversions and Gandy Innovations going bust overnight 17:00 Walking out on the EFI contract 19:00 Right-sizing on purpose: today's four-person shop 22:00 Outsourcing the right way and the referral economy 27:30 Wholesale burnout and missing the local work 30:30 Almost selling: the headmaster who talked him out of it 33:00 Making the work fun again 36:00 The food truck cop and Rick's AI conversion moment 42:00 AI slop vs. good prompting 44:00 How AI is pre-selling $15K signs 47:00 When AI becomes a problem: the 5-vehicle wrap committee 51:00 What AI can't do: shop drawings, codes, wind load 58:00 The lawn care guy to $3,500 wrap pipeline 1:06:00 Claude-built inventory and shop operations 1:11:00 Why presentation wins bids 1:18:00 "No ugly signs" and the industry's self-inflicted wounds 1:21:00 Using AI to connect with younger entrepreneurs 1:25:00 Why your website matters more than ever 1:33:00 The coming workforce cliff 1:39:00 China factories and overseas outsourcing 1:43:00 Rick's pitch for getting young people into signs Resources & links: Typestries: https://typestries.comSign A Day (Rick's photo blog): https://signaday.comGCI Digital (TJ's wholesale shop): https://gcidigital.comShopVox: https://shopvox.comFireSprint: https://firesprint.comSigns 365: https://signs365.comChatGPT: https://chatgpt.comClaude: https://claude.ai

    1h 50min
  2. Burnout, Boundaries & Big News

    30 DE MAR.

    Burnout, Boundaries & Big News

    Bryant and Michael are back after over a year away from the mic. They catch up on life — Mike's transition to full-time caretaker for his mom, Bryant's work at Directus, and their shared obsession with AI. They answer listener questions about energy and reinvention as a small business owner, share spicy takes on why "we treat our employees like family" is a red flag, and tease a new software project for the sign industry. Plus: why your sign shop website matters more than ever in the age of AI. In this episode: Catching up after a year awayMike's journey as a full-time caretakerRestarting the podcast and newsletterTeasing a new software project for sign shopsListener Q&A: How to keep your energy upBurnout, passion, and delegationWhy your website matters more than ever (AI and SEO)Spicy take: Stop treating employees like family

    1h 9min
  3. Why 90% of Sign Shop Ads Fail (Ex-Googler Explains)

    07/07/2025

    Why 90% of Sign Shop Ads Fail (Ex-Googler Explains)

    Peter Guba spent 8 years working inside Google with over 1,000 different accounts before starting his own paid ads agency, Profit Mill. In this episode, he reveals why most sign shops are burning money on Google Ads and shares the simple strategy that actually works. ##-## Key Points Discussed: Why Google Ads fail: The real reasons 90% of sign shop advertising campaigns don't work (and it's not what you think)The $500 test: How to start Google Ads the right way without betting the farmUnit economics breakdown: The math every sign shop owner needs to know before spending a dollar on adsLocal vs. product ads: Which Google ad types actually work for sign shopsThe attribution problem: How to track if your ads are actually generating salesWebsite optimization: Why your Google Ads success depends more on what happens AFTER the clickClosing the loop: The simple question every sign shop should ask every customer##-## Links: Profit Mill: https://profitmill.io##-## Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro01:27 - Why Peter left Google after 8 years04:40 - The agency problem: Why 90% don't deliver09:12 - When sign shops should (and shouldn't) use Google Ads13:55 - The only ad strategy sign shops actually need22:12 - Local campaigns vs. search ads28:07 - Biggest mistakes sign shops make31:12 - Budget recommendations and unit economics38:18 - Tracking results and attribution43:20 - Website optimization for ad traffic52:30 - How to avoid getting burned by agencies57:05 - The future of Google Ads for sign shops##-## Are you a sign or print shop owner? Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    1h 23min
  4. The Rapid Evolution of AI Tools: AI Part 2

    25/03/2025

    The Rapid Evolution of AI Tools: AI Part 2

    In this episode, Bryant and Mike continue their deep dive into the ever-evolving world of AI, building on the discussion from the previous episode. They explore the rapid growth of AI models, highlighting both their incredible benefits and the challenges they pose within the sign industry. Beyond discussing the impact of AI, Bryant and Mike showcase some of their favorite AI-powered tools that they use daily, offering insights into how these innovations are reshaping workflows and creativity. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation as we navigate the fast-paced changes AI is bringing to our world—and what the future might hold! ##-##In this episode... 00:00           Intro00:32            "AI" Models Rapid Growth07:48            Tools We Use 12:23            TypingMind18:53            AI for SEO25:43            Tools for Text Generation36:27            Current AI Situation 47:20            "AI" in Everyday life53:35            Deepseek58:00            "AI" Thinks01:00:25       Directus01:02:25       Replicate01:08:00       NotebookLM01:12:00       Clay01:14:15       Perplexity01:17:50       Loveable01:21:45       Replit01:28:50       Takeaways01:34:04      Outro ##-##Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    1h 34min
  5. The "Ominous" AI Episode: AI Part 1

    17/03/2025

    The "Ominous" AI Episode: AI Part 1

    In this episode, Bryant and Michael take a deep dive into how AI is reshaping the sign and design industry. They explore its growing impact on the creative process, discussing whether AI is a helpful tool for designers or a force that could potentially harm the industry as a whole. From automating routine tasks to enabling innovative design solutions, AI offers exciting possibilities, but it also raises critical questions about originality, ethics, and the future role of human designers. To bring theory into practice, Bryant and Michael put one of Michael’s banner designs to the test, leveraging AI tools to see how they measure up against traditional methods. Join the conversation as they weigh the pros and cons of AI, debate its long-term implications, and consider how designers can adapt to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. ##-##In this episode... 00:00           Intro00:32           Catching Up08:05           Last year's learnings12:25            Creative but uninterested in the business side15:11             The Ominous AI16:25            Takes on AI21:00            AI on a daily basis25:40           AI Impact on Creativity36:18            Dangers of AI39:29           Dangers for Designers 42:20           Shift of designers 46:00           Using Claud to replicate Mike's design51:40            Tool For Creativity01:00:39       AI for younger generation01:05:03       Takeaways 01:07:00       Outro ##-##Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    1h 7min
  6. The 10 Sign Shop Commandments - Part 2

    14/01/2025

    The 10 Sign Shop Commandments - Part 2

    In this engaging podcast Series, Peter shares his 10 Sign Shop Commandments—a comprehensive set of principles designed to drive your sign shop's financial success.  These commandments aren’t just generic advice; they are presented in a unique percentage-based format, offering clear and actionable insights to help you stabilize, optimize, and elevate your business operations. Bryant and Peter delve deep into each commandment, unpacking the strategies and steps necessary for implementation. They discuss how these rules can fix sign shop owners' challenges and difficulties.  Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, these ten commandments serve as your roadmap to success. ##-##In this episode... 00:00     Intro.00:50     Sign Shop Yoda.04:40     Recap of first five commandments.06:44     Advertising Budget Query 11:17     6th Commandment: Total Payroll 21:36     7th Commandment: Average Payroll26:08     8th Commandment: Lead Conversion33:37     9th Commandment: Hourly Rate44:39     10th Commandment: Quote to Sales Order53:58      Outro ##-##Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    54 min
  7. The 10 Sign Shop Commandments - Part 1

    30/12/2024

    The 10 Sign Shop Commandments - Part 1

    In this engaging podcast Series, Peter shares his 10 Sign Shop Commandments—a comprehensive set of principles designed to drive your sign shop's financial success.  These commandments aren’t just generic advice; they are presented in a unique percentage-based format, offering clear and actionable insights to help you stabilize, optimize, and elevate your business operations. Bryant and Peter dive deep into each commandment, unpacking the strategies and steps necessary for implementation. They discuss how these rules can fix sign shop owners' challenges and difficulties.  Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, these ten commandments serve as your roadmap to success. ##-##In this episode... 00:00      Intro00:32      Catching Up06:20      Year-end and sign-shop09:05      10 Sign Shop commandments11:40      1st Commandment: Gross Profit Margins15:09      2nd Commandment: Direct labor percentage18:13      3rd Commandment: Material cost26:10      4th Commandment: Operating expenses32:35      5th Commandment: Advertising budget42:20      Jason’s Question on Marketing Vendor46:23      Ride the wave (ridethewave.info)48:18      For Introverts53:33      Social Sponge (socialsponge.biz)57:03      Recap58:32      Outro ##-##Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    59 min
  8. Shop Software Spotlight

    12/11/2024

    Shop Software Spotlight

    Sign Up For Shop Software Spotlighthttps://lu.ma/shop-software-spotlight In this quick announcement episode, Bryant catches up with listeners after a brief hiatus and shares three exciting updates from the Better Sign Shop team. Key Announcements: - Podcast Update: The team is back after taking time to focus on work and family, with new episodes and guests lined up- Shop Software Spotlight Series: A comprehensive demo program featuring seven major sign shop management software vendors including Ordant, SignTracker, Onyx Align, SquareCoil, InkSoft, InkWorks, and CoreBridge- New Website Product: Preview of an upcoming website and marketing platform specifically built for sign shopsThe Shop Software Spotlight series runs from November 14th through December 10th, featuring guided demonstrations and Q&A sessions with each vendor. Free registration available at lu.ma/shop-software-spotlight. In this episode...00:00 Intro & Welcome Back01:15 Team Update03:15 Shop Software Spotlight Announcement13:30 Demo Series Schedule18:15 New Website Product Preview20:45 Closing Are you a sign shop owner interested in being featured on the podcast or joining the website platform beta? Email hey@bettersignshop.com.  For software vendors interested in participating in the spotlight series, reach out to hey@bettersignshop.com. Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

    21 min
Ver tudo (37)

4,8
de 5
11 avaliações

Sobre

Learn how to build a better sign and print shop from a few crusty sign guys who've made more mistakes than they care to admit. Conversations and advice on sales, marketing, pricing, growth, and more. Co-hosted by Peter Kourounis, Michael Riley, and Bryant Gillespie.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Peter Kourounis, Michael Riley, and Bryant Gillespie
  • Anos de atividade
    2022 - 2026
  • Episódios
    37
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2022 BetterSignShop.com
  • Site do podcast
    Better Sign Shop Podcast

Você também pode gostar de