Successful People from Our Neighborhood - Andrew Heron, Sign Market - Business Owner
Our week's hero is Andrew Heron from Brampton, ON, business owner, self-made fellow, daring, persistent and very optimistic. Caring father of two lovely daughters. The guy who grabs a lemon and turns it into lemonade. Please, welcome!
Andrew, your turn!
My company is called Sign Market and we are located in Brampton, ON
What do you guys do?
Basically anything that has to do with printing, signage, decals for cars and trucks, business cards, flyers, a little bit of screen printing but trying to weed it out and move along towards digital printing, large format.
What is your title in the company?
I am the owner; I also do most of the sales and finance, some hands on with the printing.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been doing this for over 5 years.
What did you do before?
Previously I was trailer mechanic that had a lot of experience doing installation of the decals; I was mainly the body man.
How did you end up in the printing business?
I always wanted to do something different and even though I never did any kind of printing before. My father passed away, left me with a bit of money and I used this opportunity to try something completely different and be my own boss. I actually bought an existing company and previous owner gave me a little boot camp. I had to learn grass roots for everything: financing, bookkeeping, and sales, screen printing.
So you are pretty much self-made fellow. Did you have any education in the graphic design or printing?
No, this is another thing too, I had to learn on a spot how to use design software. Again, the previous owner gave me a crush course doing the design and in the beginning it was tough but I did learn a lot and now it is a second nature for me. I mainly use Corel Draw and a little bit of Adobe.
Do you have many people working for you?
No, this is all by contract. I’ve made some really good contacts over the past 5 years, so when I get a big project I can get it done very efficiently. Design, digital printing and installation I do myself and if I need help - I hire people. I have a young fellow working for me, doing screen printing, I taught him and he is really good.
Why printing not mechanical shop?
I was a mechanic for 15 years and it served its purpose, I was a single parent since I was 31, I raised my 2 daughters and that pay-cheque was guaranteed and it was hard to give up. But once I got some resources it made my decision a little easier. For about 6 months I was researching, mainly Kijiji, looking for businesses for sale and I thought that printing is something that I can apply my knowledge and contacts from the past and my work experience as a body shop mechanic. It did not pin out right away, but now I get projects from the previous employer and my other contacts.
Competition is pretty tight in the printing industry, how are you managing?
(Andrew laughs)
Yes, this is one thing I did not count on when I bought it. Literally driving down the street from my previous work there were at least 6 printing places, but this part was not included in my research. But, again my previous experience and contacts did help a lot. Also, I managed to keep all the existing clients of the company that I bought.
What is the part of your job that you like the most?
Obviously, taking the risk and challenge, jumping into it. Also, I enjoy design a lot, dealing with the customers. It is very satisfying when you bring in a new customer, complete the project for them and make them happy.
What is the most challenging part?
I guess, in the beginning, it was bookkeeping and it is still hard, just because I don't like to do it. Also, paying attention to detail, meeting and exceeding customer expectations. When you are dealing with signage, people are very particular, picky sometimes and sometimes they don’t realize what goes into it and just take it for granted.
I guess, especially your time?
Yes, people think, you just click a button and everything gets magically designed which isn’t quite the case, it can be really time consuming. This is one of the biggest challenges, because you only get one shot at it. If you are making a sign, it will be used for as long as business is around and it has to be done right and up to the client’s expectations. I have to admit, I did not have many discrepancies this way.
Well, this is excellent! Do you have signs on your car?
Yes, I do.
What was your first job ever?
I started pretty young delivering papers. In my teenage years I bounced around a few different things. I worked at a few different gold courses as a grounds keeper, also inside the clubhouse, worked my way up to the line cook. When I was 21 for 2 years in a summer time I was working on a fair and was travelling all across the Canada and United States. This was nice and the best part was that I was getting paid to do that. But this was something only meant to do when you were young.
What happened to the cooking part?
It wasn’t quite my thing. I still cook, obviously, with 2 children.
What is your background?
My mother is Ukrainian my father is Scottish.
This is a dangerous mixture!
Well, yes, actually. Both my parents were born in Canada. I don’t speak Ukrainian; it is very hard to maintain a language. My grandparents came to Canada when they were very young. And back in those days you were trying to assimilate with the country you are moving to, now there is no as much assimilation.
Did you ever get to go to Scotland or Ukraine?
No, but I would love to. My kids are getting older and in the next couple of years I would like to go and visit. We lost connection with my family there but there is a lot of extended family here in Canada; my mother came with 9 brothers and sisters. I have family in Ottawa, Sudbury and Picton.
What do you like to do for fun?
Mainly hanging with friends, family and my kids. I like getting involved in sports: golfing, baseball, hockey and skiing.
What do your kids do?
For the summer they do horseback riding. They are staying with my Mom, visiting their cousins; they’ve been to summer camp. They are having a blast, I wish I could be with them all the time.
What would you still like to achieve?
Financial freedom, security for my kids, build my business up, I’d love my kids to be involved in my business, but if they choose to do something different this would be fine to.
Are you thinking of expanding your company?
I’ve already made a very large purchase for the company - I got digital printer. The company I bough was mainly specializing on a screen printing and they were outsourcing digital, now we have it all “in house”. This gives me a lot of new opportunities. First of all this printer is using environmentally friendly ink. I am thinking about adding more machines once we build up this side of the business. Digital printing allows to painlessly add photographs, quality is much better. I did some projects for the Real Estate companies, Remax for example. One of the Real Estate agents wanted decals done on his Mercedes! I was like, “are you sure???!!”
What is home for you?
Well, where the heart is. It is a cliché, but it is a good one. Home is where your kids, your friends, your family.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a cat. His is gray with white paws and some attitude, so my kids called him Knuckles.
Thank you, Andrew! I wish you good luck in all your beginnings.
For my faithful readers: shall you require screen printing, business cards, car / truck decals, please, contact Andrew at signmarket@hotmail.ca
And by the way, here are the car magnets Andrew just made for me!
Compliments of Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
MarinaG.ca
More Success Stories:
Erika-Leigh Howard (Stirton) - Rhythmic Gymnast
Successful People from Our Neighborhood - Chris Chapin, Vice President at Mutual Transportation
Danuta Smiehowski - Head Coach of Olympium Rhythmic Gymnastics Club
Lisa D'Avino - Mortgage Broker
Matin Saliev - Chef
Yevgen Aleksyeyenko - Truck Driver, Owner Operator
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Andrew, your turn!
My company is called Sign Market and we are located in Brampton, ON
What do you guys do?
Basically anything that has to do with printing, signage, decals for cars and trucks, business cards, flyers, a little bit of screen printing but trying to weed it out and move along towards digital printing, large format.
What is your title in the company?
I am the owner; I also do most of the sales and finance, some hands on with the printing.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been doing this for over 5 years.
What did you do before?
Previously I was trailer mechanic that had a lot of experience doing installation of the decals; I was mainly the body man.
How did you end up in the printing business?
I always wanted to do something different and even though I never did any kind of printing before. My father passed away, left me with a bit of money and I used this opportunity to try something completely different and be my own boss. I actually bought an existing company and previous owner gave me a little boot camp. I had to learn grass roots for everything: financing, bookkeeping, and sales, screen printing.
So you are pretty much self-made fellow. Did you have any education in the graphic design or printing?
No, this is another thing too, I had to learn on a spot how to use design software. Again, the previous owner gave me a crush course doing the design and in the beginning it was tough but I did learn a lot and now it is a second nature for me. I mainly use Corel Draw and a little bit of Adobe.
Do you have many people working for you?
No, this is all by contract. I’ve made some really good contacts over the past 5 years, so when I get a big project I can get it done very efficiently. Design, digital printing and installation I do myself and if I need help - I hire people. I have a young fellow working for me, doing screen printing, I taught him and he is really good.
Why printing not mechanical shop?
I was a mechanic for 15 years and it served its purpose, I was a single parent since I was 31, I raised my 2 daughters and that pay-cheque was guaranteed and it was hard to give up. But once I got some resources it made my decision a little easier. For about 6 months I was researching, mainly Kijiji, looking for businesses for sale and I thought that printing is something that I can apply my knowledge and contacts from the past and my work experience as a body shop mechanic. It did not pin out right away, but now I get projects from the previous employer and my other contacts.
Competition is pretty tight in the printing industry, how are you managing?
(Andrew laughs)
Yes, this is one thing I did not count on when I bought it. Literally driving down the street from my previous work there were at least 6 printing places, but this part was not included in my research. But, again my previous experience and contacts did help a lot. Also, I managed to keep all the existing clients of the company that I bought.
What is the part of your job that you like the most?
Obviously, taking the risk and challenge, jumping into it. Also, I enjoy design a lot, dealing with the customers. It is very satisfying when you bring in a new customer, complete the project for them and make them happy.
What is the most challenging part?
I guess, in the beginning, it was bookkeeping and it is still hard, just because I don't like to do it. Also, paying attention to detail, meeting and exceeding customer expectations. When you are dealing with signage, people are very particular, picky sometimes and sometimes they don’t realize what goes into it and just take it for granted.
I guess, especially your time?
Yes, people think, you just click a button and everything gets magically designed which isn’t quite the case, it can be really time consuming. This is one of the biggest challenges, because you only get one shot at it. If you are making a sign, it will be used for as long as business is around and it has to be done right and up to the client’s expectations. I have to admit, I did not have many discrepancies this way.
Well, this is excellent! Do you have signs on your car?
Yes, I do.
What was your first job ever?
I started pretty young delivering papers. In my teenage years I bounced around a few different things. I worked at a few different gold courses as a grounds keeper, also inside the clubhouse, worked my way up to the line cook. When I was 21 for 2 years in a summer time I was working on a fair and was travelling all across the Canada and United States. This was nice and the best part was that I was getting paid to do that. But this was something only meant to do when you were young.
What happened to the cooking part?
It wasn’t quite my thing. I still cook, obviously, with 2 children.
What is your background?
My mother is Ukrainian my father is Scottish.
This is a dangerous mixture!
Well, yes, actually. Both my parents were born in Canada. I don’t speak Ukrainian; it is very hard to maintain a language. My grandparents came to Canada when they were very young. And back in those days you were trying to assimilate with the country you are moving to, now there is no as much assimilation.
Did you ever get to go to Scotland or Ukraine?
No, but I would love to. My kids are getting older and in the next couple of years I would like to go and visit. We lost connection with my family there but there is a lot of extended family here in Canada; my mother came with 9 brothers and sisters. I have family in Ottawa, Sudbury and Picton.
What do you like to do for fun?
Mainly hanging with friends, family and my kids. I like getting involved in sports: golfing, baseball, hockey and skiing.
What do your kids do?
For the summer they do horseback riding. They are staying with my Mom, visiting their cousins; they’ve been to summer camp. They are having a blast, I wish I could be with them all the time.
What would you still like to achieve?
Financial freedom, security for my kids, build my business up, I’d love my kids to be involved in my business, but if they choose to do something different this would be fine to.
Are you thinking of expanding your company?
I’ve already made a very large purchase for the company - I got digital printer. The company I bough was mainly specializing on a screen printing and they were outsourcing digital, now we have it all “in house”. This gives me a lot of new opportunities. First of all this printer is using environmentally friendly ink. I am thinking about adding more machines once we build up this side of the business. Digital printing allows to painlessly add photographs, quality is much better. I did some projects for the Real Estate companies, Remax for example. One of the Real Estate agents wanted decals done on his Mercedes! I was like, “are you sure???!!”
What is home for you?
Well, where the heart is. It is a cliché, but it is a good one. Home is where your kids, your friends, your family.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a cat. His is gray with white paws and some attitude, so my kids called him Knuckles.
Thank you, Andrew! I wish you good luck in all your beginnings.
For my faithful readers: shall you require screen printing, business cards, car / truck decals, please, contact Andrew at signmarket@hotmail.ca
And by the way, here are the car magnets Andrew just made for me!
Compliments of Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
MarinaG.ca
More Success Stories:
Erika-Leigh Howard (Stirton) - Rhythmic Gymnast
Successful People from Our Neighborhood - Chris Chapin, Vice President at Mutual Transportation
Danuta Smiehowski - Head Coach of Olympium Rhythmic Gymnastics Club
Lisa D'Avino - Mortgage Broker
Matin Saliev - Chef
Yevgen Aleksyeyenko - Truck Driver, Owner Operator
Successful people