By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
ORWELL — Some people could say it was “a sign.”
When Amy Rossi was 12 years old, she used to sit and draw pictures of signs for various companies.
“My favorite sign I designed was for an arts and crafts store where I used to buy all of my art supplies from. I actually presented it to them, but they didn’t use it,” Rossi said. She co-owns Signsations with her best friend Chantel Lee. Both live in Rome Township.
Signsations is located at 243 Staley Road, Unit F, south of Route 322, in Orwell.
Rossi and Lee were exploring an Internet marketing business venture when they walked into the Signsations store to purchase signs for their vehicles.
“We got to talking with the owners and learned they wanted to sell, so we nixed the Internet idea and decided to go full throttle with this,” Rossi said.
Rossi and Lee took over ownership of Signsations on Nov. 20, 2008.
“We have been busy learning the ropes, but so far we have been very successful,” Lee said.
Signsations has been a family-owned and -operated business from its inception.
“Don and Linda Kristo owned this business for 17 years and built up a great reputation for quality work. We are very grateful to them for helping us to get started,” Lee said.
Rossi and Lee have been good friends for many years and ignored naysayers, who warned them not to become business partners.
“We knew it would work, and we want to keep that family-hometown feel to the business, and we hope our children will want to take over (the business) someday,” Rossi said.
Rossi and Lee have a great combination of talents and experience. Rossi has an art background with experience in advertising and marketing, and Lee has an Internet multimedia background.
“We have a good concept of what reaches people and what will draw the eye to someone’s business or shop,” Rossi said.
Together, the ladies make signs, business cards, decals, and any logo or picture that can be put on apparel, mugs, vehicles and much more.
“We do whatever the customer needs, from conception to instillation,” Lee said. “We can create a logo for a new business, or we have an ability to copy the logo if they have it ready.”
Signsations has the bulk of its clients in Geauga County but wants to expand business in Ashtabula, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, as well as in Hermitage and Sharon, Pa.
Samples of Signsations work can be seen at the Orwell Fire and Police departments, amd Windsor Township Fire Department and include the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County sign in Jefferson.
“We have done anything from the back of the helmets to the police cruisers and fire engines; plus, we have provided all of their reflective lettering,” Rossi said.
Signsations specializes in vinyl material for its signs, but also uses wood, aluminum, sintra plastic polyvinyl chloride and more.
“Because our sons are involved in school and sports activities, we want to contribute to the community by offering fundraising ideas with decals at very reasonable rates,” Rossi said. “It is our desire to be an active part of the community.”
The ladies at Signsations pledge to meet or beat all competitors’ prices.
“We want to thank our hubbies and the community for all of their support,” Lee said.
Signsations is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. For further information, call 440-437-7446 or check the following Web site: www.myspace.com/signsations.
