Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Morabito.
Ron, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started V Group Signs in 2007 after moving to San Diego from New York. I had owned a similar company in New York which I sold before moving. I didn’t have a friend let alone a client in California, so I joined several business organizations in order to begin building a network and making friends. We started small, one client we landed early on was SDSU. Looking back that was a big turning point. I did not realize at the time, being from New York, how big of a deal SDSU was in this city. It added a certain legitimacy for us in the community and enabled V Group to expand and work with other large clients. Ten years later I am proud to say we still work at SDSU doing signage.
Some other notable clients we work with: The San Diego Padres, Barona Resort & Casino, Major League Baseball and The U.S. Army to name a few. We continue to grow and have recently added a Los Angeles location as well. I am grateful that so many in the San Diego community and beyond have chosen to work with us and continue to do so.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think every business has its ups and downs. We have been pretty fortunate to have steady growth over time. Of course there are slow times now and then, but that’s all the more reason to work harder. When I started the company I was on the phone all day cold calling and setting up meetings. Some days not making much progress at all, but you have to keep going. No’s are part of life and part of business. I remember calling The Padres every two weeks for several years and never getting anywhere, and then one day, we landed the account. Persistence pays off. A lot of our work now is referral based which is very nice.
Please tell us about V Group Signs.
We are a full service custom signage & printing company. The signage end can range from banners and trade show displays all the way to custom illuminated signs on buildings, wall murals and wraps. We also offer small format printing. Items such as catalogs, brochures and the like. We are primarily known as a sign company. I decided to add the small format printing division because I had so many years of experience in it. I started working in a print shop when I was fourteen years old. As far as what I’m most proud of is the relationships made. Clients often become friends. We have had buyers at companies leave to a new job and we always stay in touch, even if there is no business there. I think what sets us apart is a personal element. Of course we offer quality work, fair pricing and fast turnaround times, but so do a lot of companies. That should be a given in my opinion. I think in spaces like ours people are buying you more than the product. We are friendly, always eager to help and fair. Our clients trust us to always come up with the best solution for their needs. Anyone can sell a product, but not everyone takes the time the client deserves. They are the reason we are here.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Great question. Sadly, one of the things I would do different is the payment policy.
In the beginning, I was way too trusting and gave people we had never worked with 30 day terms. I got burned on that so many times. From either taking months upon months to collect, or in some cases never being paid at all. It’s a shame a few people like that make you have to change your policies, but it’s just the way it is. I learned that one the hard way for sure.
Pricing:
- Step & Repeat Backdrop with stand 10′ x 8′ $550 + tax
- Roll Up Banner with stand 33″ x 81″ $250 + tax
- Custom Printed Table Throw – 6′, three sided. $250 + tax
Contact Info:
- Address: 530 K Street.
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: www.vgroupsigns.com
- Phone: 6193076342
- Email: info@vgroupsigns.com
- Instagram: vgroupsigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/VGroupSigns
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