Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyn Sheffield.
Hi Allyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My company was started in 1987 by my late Father. He was a front end tech/tech at a Ford dealer and as things at the dealership were changing, they got bought out, he saw the writing on the wall as a chance to get out. He left there, bought land about 50 miles away and had a house built and started this business when I was 1.5 years old. I would help out after school when I was young but started actually working with him when I was 15. He retired in 2011 and I took over, then he kinda worked for me which was pretty neat.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been some smooth road and some rough roads along the way. Companies and customers coming and going, the crash of 2008, Covid was really tough, and then my father unexpectedly passing away in 1/2021 made things tough as well. It just teaches you how to adapt and overcome, which is a must being a small business owner.
We’ve been impressed with EZ Auto Graphics & Sign Design, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re the first vinyl sign shop in Fredericksburg. We’ve been proudly serving our community for almost 40 years! We pride ourselves on being family owned and operated (before that was a cool thing) and taking pride in our craftsmanship. We’re known for being honest, having fair pricing and quality work that we’re proud to stand behind (and in front of). One of the things I think that sets us apart from the others is when you call us, the owner is who is answering the phone, not a computer or a part time employee. We’ve had the great pleasure in supplying worldwide corporations like Kaeser Compressors signs/graphics/lettering since the late 1980’s. They are based in Germany and we have shipped stuff for them all over the country. We’ve done many signs t-shirts for Holiday Harbor RV Park & Marina, Hope Springs Marina, Aquia Bay Marina, Purvis Ford, Radley Chevrolet & Cadillac, Radley Mitsubishi, Sheehy Toyota/Subaru/GMC as well as many other small businesses in Virginia. We offer all types of signs, banners, lettering, vehicle graphics/lettering, wraps, paint protection film. We also design logo’s, do all types of papercraft work like business cards, flyers, posters etc etc.
Right now we’re about halfway through lettering 42 new vans for Kaeser Compressors that are going to be delivered all over the country!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
A piece of advice I would give is to do what you say you’re going to do which kind of goes along with under promise and over deliver. I cant tell you how many times I have been thanked just for calling someone back to talk about their project.
I wish I knew how difficult it can be running your own business sometimes. Thankfully my mentor (Father) did a good job of it, but he did let me learn things on my own at the same time, and I am now thankful for that because you know what you get when you dont get what you want? Experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.e-zsigndesign.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ezsigndesign
