“Please Maintain Social Distancing of 6 Feet,” or “Wal-Mart Entrance this way” or “Lobby Now Open”
Interview Opportunity with Signarama Founder Ray Titus, via Zoom, Skype or Phone
Signs are the unsung heroes in showing us the way during the COVID pandemic. Signs say which way to go in a supermarket, which entrance to take at Wal-Mart, and of course, we’ve all seen hordes of signs indicating the ubiquitous 6-foot social distancing spaces in restaurants, malls, and at the post office. And, of course, our favorite: “Dining Room Now Open!”
Ray Titus is the founder of one of the most successful sign companies in the world and he’s joining us to discuss the current Covid crisis, and how his company is not only flourishing, but how his franchise company is helping others open businesses during this ‘new normal.’ He’s an expert on matching Small Business Administration funds with entrepreneurs who want to launch their American Dream business. Welcome Ray.
Q&A:
- During the current pandemic, we’ve seen entire industries tank, from airlines, to cruise ships to Las Vegas showrooms. But your Signarama business is thriving. Tell us about that and can you give us some examples of signs your company has made to help during this crisis?
Answer: Signs solve problems, offer solutions, increase awareness, and serve as visual reminders for community members. But most of all, they eliminate confusion during this ‘new normal.’ Signarama offers a variety of customized signs and graphics with a quick turnaround time that communities and organizations can use including wayfinding and directional signs, banners, yard signs, and more.
- We’ve heard it before that there were more millionaires created during the Great Depression than at any point in history up to that point. But is that true?
Answer: Yes, it was true in the 1930s, but today it isn’t just a case of creating millionaires, but we will likely see more BILLIONAIRES made than at any other point in history. New wealth doesn’t just get created, it also SHIFTS from one industry or person to another. People who properly pivot during times or crisis, emerge the victor.
- Do you believe your franchising company will be creating any millionaires during this Covid era?
Answer: Yes. Millionaires and likely billionaires.
- How can the average person secure an SBA loan to buy a franchise, what franchises are available, and do you provide training to help the person or couple succeed in their new venture?
- In addition to making signs, your team has rolled up their sleeves and created some novel products to help during the pandemic. What are some of those products?
Answer: We’ve created splashguards, or personal barriers, Face shields, and other forms of personal protection equipment when they were in short supply for healthcare workers. We’ve even made intubation boxes to protect healthcare workers from a potentially contagious patient.
- The Covid crisis has fulfilled the law of unintended consequences. As millions more people are out of work and at home, or actually working from home, people are re-thinking what they want to do for a living. Is this one of the reasons your franchise business is booming?
Answer: Indeed. And one of the fastest growing sectors in franchising is the work-from-home franchise opportunities. With millions of jobs shifting, businesses being re-invented, etc. and many people looking to go in business for themselves, United Franchising Group is paving the way to put entrepreneurs in business, including helping them receive SBA money to fund their American Dream.
- The International Franchise Association (IFA) has released some new numbers on franchises in America. Please share some of those statistics.
Answer: America’s 733,000 franchise businesses employ roughly 8 million American workers and contribute $675 billion to the nation’s economy.
- Tell us more about signs and the signs you make at Signarama.
Answer: Signs play an important role in developing and strengthening a strong sense of community. The Coronavirus has shown us how critical it is to support our community and signs play a key role in communicating the messages community members rely on. Communities thrive when there is shared knowledge and a mechanism for sharing such information – something we have all come to appreciate more than ever in our current climate.
In recent months, with stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders in place across the country, we have seen signs reflect and communicate a community’s identity by showcasing its heroes, enhancing infrastructure, supporting its small businesses, raising money for charity, and communicating information from countless groups including schools and churches. As communities grow and change, Signarama is there with signs and graphics for any message.
As small business owners themselves, Signarama franchise owners understand the struggle and frustration of small business owners in their communities during the COVID-19 crisis. This is not something anyone could have ever really prepared for. We also understand that communities need to stick together in difficult times and even when this has to be done at a safe distance, we are there to help community members, local government officials, and fellow business owners. Our sign products support communities, businesses, and organizations, no matter how big or small and no matter how challenging times may become.
- Where may we get information on franchising Signarama or dozens of other franchise opportunities?
Answer: www.unitedfranchisegroup.com/
ABOUT RAY TITUS:
Ray Titus is the CEO of United Franchise Group and its affiliated companies. Mr. Titus is a life-long entrepreneur who began his career with his father, franchising legend Roy Titus, and went on to develop a group of successful brands and franchise development services. The company has over 1,600 franchisees in more than 80 countries within 10 brands.
United Franchise Group also offers a unique range of development services that assist other franchise companies from conception to international expansion. Among those, Franchise Real Estate, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and consultant firm with a track record of delivering superior results. Franchise Real Estate provides integrated services, from strategic planning to financing to execution, that are creative, cost-effective and responsive to each client’s specific commercial real estate needs.
Ray Titus has been honored for his leadership of United Franchise Group. In 2007, he was awarded the President’s “E” Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for export excellence, the first franchisor to ever receive that honor. That same year, Ray was named Ernst & Young’s Florida Entrepreneur of the Year and the Counselor International Person of the Year. In 2008, he received the American Free Enterprise Medal from Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 2010, Ray was named to ASI’s Power 50 list, of the industry’s most influential people, and was honored with the Sun-Sentinel Excalibur Award. In 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 he was named in Stitches magazine “Power 75” list of most influential people. Ray is an accomplished speaker and has delivered several keynote addresses for other franchises and spoke at the 2015 World Leaders Conference. He has been published in a book entitled, “Inside the Minds: Buying a Franchises” and contributed a chapter to the book “12 Amazing Franchise Opportunities for 2015.”
Ray and United Franchise Group believe corporate philanthropy and community involvement are important elements to a well-rounded business. The company and employees actively support charitable organizations and professional associations both locally and globally through donations of time, talent, and monetary contributions. Organizations include: Palm Beach Atlantic University through the J.J.’s Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, LifeNet4Families, Junior Achievement, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and the International Franchise Association.
Ray attended Florida Southern University on a basketball scholarship. A 25-year resident of Palm Beach County, he resides in West Palm Beach with his wife Andrea and their three sons.
CONTACT: Rachel Ford rford.specialguests@gmail.com or Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001
