BE YOUR OWN BOSS

Celebrating Our Women in Signage

At Signarama, we are committed to diversity and inclusivity in franchise ownership. This Women’s Month, we are shining our spotlight onto our female franchisees to share the insights and lessons learnt from their entrepreneurship journeys, in the hope that it will inspire women in business, to be in business for themselves. We caught up with three busy female franchisees.

Lesego Khutsoane

Franchisee of Signarama Bramley and Signarama Rivonia. Lesego has been a franchisee since 2013. Prior thereto, she had a traditional corporate career, but hungered to work for herself and have creative freedom. On a less serious note, she describes herself as an irrational claustrophobic.

Vanessa du Plessis

Franchisee of Signarama Gqeberha since 2017, after moving to the seaside town and finding a business model in Signarama that resonated with her. Vanessa is a seasoned entrepreneur but prefers to shoot the lights out with her feet on the ground to keep her fear of heights in check!

Nadine Britz

Franchisee of Signarama Rustenburg and Store Manager for Signarama Centurion and Pretoria East. Nadine became a Signarama franchisee for the first time in 2022. As a franchisee, she has a significant advantage in business from her experience as a salesperson. Peppered with her special brand of wit and sarcasm, her creative problem-solving skills are her secret sauce!

We posed 5 questions to each franchisee, which required each to think introspectively about their signage journey with Signarama.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the signage industry?

From the desire to run a business of their own, to the practical business model of the signage industry, the inspiration to join the industry varied. However, one similarity that emerged from our franchisees has been the reward of entrepreneurship and the flexibility that the industry presents to bring their own unique set of skills into their business. Due to the varied nature of signage projects and the clients these franchisees serve, no two signage projects are the same, which creates variety and encourages a creative energy that these franchisees craved before joining Signarama.

What unique opportunities have you encountered as a woman in this industry?

As women in the signage industry, they have had unique opportunities to bring fresh perspectives and creativity to various projects. In this historically male-dominated field, their diverse insights have not only enhanced design solutions but also catered to a broader audience. Their keen eyes for detail, colour and style allow them to create and sell more unique signs that stand out. Additionally, they have had the chance to inspire and mentor other women entering the industry, fostering a more inclusive and innovative environment for everyone.

Why did you choose the signage industry for your business venture?

“Every sign tells a story and serves a purpose, whether it’s guiding customers through a space or effectively communicating a brand’s message.” – Nadine Britz

They chose the signage industry for their business venture because they wanted a challenge that allowed them to make decisions independently and take risks confidently. In male-dominated partnerships, women are often overpowered, so they sought a business within their price range where they could fully engage their creativity. The signage industry intrigued them with its blend of creativity and practicality. It provided an opportunity to leverage their passion for visual communication and sales expertise to help businesses enhance their brands.

Why did you choose Signarama rather than establish your own signage brand?

“The Signarama model offered marketing and someone to call and ask for advice. This made it far more attractive than starting something from scratch.” – Vanessa du Plessis.

With a proven track record, comprehensive training, established marketing strategies, and a wide range of high-quality products, Signarama offered a strong foundation for success. Being part of this franchise also meant access to a supportive network of fellow franchisees and efficient operational systems. Signarama’s globally recognized brand minimized risks and provided established processes, allowing them to avoid the pitfalls of starting a new business from the ground up.

How has being a member of the Signarama family served your personal goals and aspirations?

Being members of the Signarama family has significantly served their personal goals and aspirations. Having a recognized brand has been invaluable when dealing with corporate clients, and the extensive network of branches positively impacts their project pitches. They have grown their business financially, invested in new machines, and created opportunities for their staff to develop.

“The support from the franchisor, especially in marketing, has extended over time, offering incredible networking opportunities across business, personal, and social realms. The network of fellow franchisees has been invaluable for sharing best practices and fostering a sense of community.” – Lesego Khutsoane

Closing thoughts

Being part of the Signarama family has empowered these women to achieve their entrepreneurial goals and grow into their roles as business owners. Signarama is proud to have partnered with these women to realize their ambitions, demonstrating that with enough determination, women can achieve anything.

If these stories have inspired you in your desire to be an entrepreneur, we invite you to reach out to our team for a friendly conversation about our franchising options. From as little as R85,000 excluding VAT, you could be on your journey to owning your own business too!

SIGNARAMA SOUTHERN AFRICA

Unit 66 Studio Park
5 Concourse Crescent, Lonehill
Johannesburg, South Africa 2062
Tel: +27 (0)83 278 9000 (Primary)
Tel: 012 285 0412