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
00:00 – The Start of a 40-Year Family Legacy
01:50 – From a Home Office to Goodman Road
03:15 – The “Stuff”: Building Band Props and Human Slot Machines
04:45 – How Word-of-Mouth Outperforms Amazon
07:05 – The Reality of Scaling: Money, Growth, and Networks
10:15 – Behind the Scenes: The Installers and the “Fireman” Tradition
12:00 – Brainstorming vs. Reality: Problem-Solving Custom Builds
15:05 – Software Struggles: The Canva vs. Illustrator Debate
17:40 – Meet the Shop Dogs: Olive, Bruce, and Mojo
20:40 – Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Network First
22:30 – The One Thing Most Owners Forget: Bookkeeping
25:50 – How the Chamber Fuels Local Success
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.
