We got to work with Jo when we collaborated on a Mega Party Prize Giveaway last year. Jo says her business, Jo’s Signs by Designs has changed and grown a lot since it started in September 2012. Her former employer, Budde International – a large format digital graphics reseller who closed in October 2012, offered her part of the business in a package that was too good to be true.
I couldn’t say anything other than “Yes, I will give it a go, what have I got to lose!” At the time my children were aged 15 and 10. I still very much needed flexible work to fulfil my ‘mum’ duties that involved being taxi from 3pm to make sure the kids got to dance lessons or work.
Taking this opportunity allowed her to have fully flexible work hours from the comfort of home.
The business started very small with a bunch of existing clients. The initial business name was JMR Supplies and Services Pty Limited and sold ink and media for one particular model of large format printers.
However, Jo quickly discovered that even though this was an easy income, it was not enough to motivate her to grow the business. She was encouraged by family and friends to begin a printing business using the printing equipment that came with the purchase of the business.
So, in 2013 Jo launched the printing side to the business and a new trading name, Jo’s Signs by Design. They now specialise in professional custom designs and high-quality event digital printing for birthdays, weddings, corporate events and more!
We asked Jo a few more questions about her business below
What products do you specifically create?
Since the launch of the business our products and services have continued to grow. Some of our popular products are:
- Paparazzi Walls
- Instagram and Facebook Prop Frames
- Decals
- Milestone Charts
- Welcome Signs and Seating Plans
- Party Backdrops and Posters for your Candy Buffets and Cake Tables
- Large Backdrops for covering up an unsightly wall at your venue
- Pull Up Banners
- Outdoor Banners
- Alupanel Signage
- Adhesive Vinyl Prints
- Stickers
We pride ourselves on offering passionate, personalised, stress-free services that exceed clients’ expectations of quality. If it’s a deadline, design concept, size or quantity, we understand that every detail is important and flexibility is key. Whether we’re working with an event stylist, a small business owner, or a mum planning an upcoming celebration for family or friends, we love to assist people in creating unique and personalised products that will make their special day memorable.
Explain a typical start to finish process in your business.
Our enquiries arrive via Facebook, Instagram or email. We then reply with the relevant information, pricing, and connect the client with a graphic designer if needed.
There are many important details to cover, such as the concept, event date, finishing requirements, the timeline for the design process through to printing, finishing and finally the delivery or collection. From this we then create an invoice. Once payment is received, production of the product takes anywhere between 2-5 days depending on their chosen finishing’s (mounting to boards, eyeleting, installation of frames and stands etc.) If the designs are created in-house another 3-5 days are added to the ordering process.
We communicate via email or text to make sure our clients are aware of current job status of their order. When the order is complete they are notified by email and collection appointment is made or if getting delivered we notify them of a shipping date. Tracking information is sent and we follow up until we know the order has been received.
When we’ve completed a job for clients we love to follow up on their experience. We send them an anonymous survey that gives us some feedback. This helps us identify areas we need to improve to make our services even better. The second e-mail we send is to request photos of our products being used at their events. There’s nothing better than seeing our hard work being enjoyed by guests! We also ask for a testimonial to share on our website.
While it seems like a lengthy and complicated process, it’s all done to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality products that fit their brief. We also pride ourselves on giving a friendly and personal customer service experience.
What’s been your favourite or memorable party you’ve serviced to date and why?
There are so many! Everything we do with Mary Ronis Events is out of this world spectacular. The Spooky Haunted House Party would have to be way up there. We printed a backdrop that had the illusion of a spiral staircase that covered the entire wall. We also printed stickers that looked like ghosts on glass mirrors. There was no inch of the house that didn’t reflect the spooky theme. It was an event that went above and beyond!
Here is the link to an article written by Oh It’s Perfect that shows pictures of the amazing celebration. http://ohitsperfect.com.au/a-very-spooky-30th/
With events like these, I get to work with amazing vendors and often on a weekly basis. However, it’s the stylist’s who work tirelessly to create new, unique and special events for each client. They co-ordinate everything to make sure they transform the client’s dream into a reality. From the concept to delivery, it’s always amazing to see what we can create to be part of the team that put these amazing events together.
To see more of Jo’s work or to get in contact about getting some personalised event or business material created, you can contact Jo’s Signs by Designs through the following avenues:
Website: www.jossignsbydesign.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JosSignsbyDesign
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jossignsbydesign 
