Businesses and organizations need signs to grow their business or as many say “a business with no sign is a sign of no business”. So Candy Ross opened a Signarama franchise to chart her own course and “help others reach their goals and pursue their dreams.”

Signarama is the world’s largest sign franchise and full-service sign business, providing a full range of comprehensive sign and graphic services to both the private and commercial sectors.

Candy Ross entered the sign industry after a 12-year career with Kohl’s Corp. She led loss prevention efforts and in the last four years rose to district manager, responsible for 15 stores and 19 employees.

“I left this role to pursue my own business, and I feel I can impact the community by hiring and training others to work here and possibly make a nice career” said Ross, adding that she plans to utilize her leadership skills for this purpose. “I also want a business we can pass down to our family.”

Recently retired, Scott Ross worked in law enforcement for 26 years. At one time, he was a SWAT Operator and finished his career in the training division. He too wants “to continue providing a service to the community and provide jobs to others,” he said.

Candy and her husband Scott chose Signarama for their family venture because of brand recognition and global franchise growth. Signarama has been around for 30 years with close to 900 stores in 62 countries. Signarama makes up 80 percent of the sign franchise market. It was ranked number one in category Entrepreneur Magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500 in 2015.

The couple’s goal is to be the leader in the commercial sign business in Wake County, Candy said. “We want to provide the best service and products in the industry. Your sign is a reflection of what might be happening inside your business, if it looks old and grimy that may be the impression others get. It’s a first impression tool, so we think it’s very important to have it clean as a whistle, modern and the starring main accessory in your first impression.” Signarama produces signs for everything from industrial facilities and warehouses to retail spaces, making buying an easier, more pleasant experience.

Their involvement in the community through church and law enforcement bodes well for success in the sign business. “We will get involved with as many organizations as possible, such as the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Raleigh Downtown Alliance, to meet potential customers and to offer discounts to nonprofits,” Candy Ross said.

The sign business weathers economic downturns, Ross said of the industry. “Businesses need signs for sales and other various advertisements to gain more business in any business climate.”

The franchisees see hiring more employees in the future. As far as opening more franchises, “only time will tell. We want to set the standard for the sign industry.”