Host: Cristan Engelke
Guest: Melissa Elrod
VIDEO
DESCRIPTION
Before they were the go-to shop for every sign in Southaven, they were two sisters making banners to fund their kids’ sports habits. Discover the heart and “stuff” behind the legacy of Melissa Elrod and the Signs and Stuff team.
The “Human” Summary Starting in a humble home office in 1986, Signs and Stuff has evolved from a small side hustle into a cornerstone of the DeSoto County business community. Melissa Elrod shares the candid reality of growing a multi-generational family business—from the transition of taking over her mother’s network to the daily “problem-solving” required to build everything from stadium band props to custom human slot machines.
This isn’t just a story about printers and vinyl; it’s about the power of local referrals and the grit it takes to keep a small business thriving for over 40 years. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking for bookkeeping “real talk” or a local resident curious about who makes those high-quality school decals, this episode offers a deep dive into the dedication that keeps Southaven looking its best.
CHAPTERS
- The Start of a 40-Year Family Legacy (00:00 – 00:42)
- From a Home Office to Goodman Road (00:42 – 04:15)
- The “Stuff”: Building Band Props and Human Slot Machines (04:15 – 05:16)
- How Word-of-Mouth Outperforms Amazon (05:16 – 06:41)
- The Reality of Scaling: Money, Growth, and Networks (06:41 – 08:34)
- Behind the Scenes: The Installers and the “Fireman” Tradition (08:34 – 10:43)
- Brainstorming vs. Reality: Problem-Solving Custom Builds (10:43 – 11:17)
- Software Struggles: The Canva vs. Illustrator Debate (11:17 – 14:41)
- Meet the Shop Dogs: Olive, Bruce, and Mojo (14:41 – 16:00)
- Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Network First (16:00 – 17:47)
- The One Thing Most Owners Forget: Bookkeeping (17:47 – 21:45)
- How the Chamber Fuels Local Success (30:42 – 34:18)
SPONSORS:
This episode is sponsored by:
Wisdom Integrators
Your strategic technology partner for workflow automation and digital transformation. Visit: WisdomIntegrators.com to schedule your consultation today
Pure Focus Media
The creative powerhouse making high-quality video and content creation accessible for local businesses. Visit: PureFocus.media to schedule your strategy call.
Melissa says, “If you can think it, we can make it”.
What is the most unique custom item you’ve ever wanted to see made? Let us know in the comments! Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories of the entrepreneurs building our community.
Website: https://southavenchamber.com Email: [email protected]
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