Sign Depot Business Client Spotlight – Zenia Horton Of XTEA CO And Zen Design

 

Get To Know Zenia Horton

1.       Zenia can you tell us a bit about businesses?

My name is Zenia Horton and I am the owner /operator a kitchen design business by the name of Zen Design. Out of my love of design and relationships I founded a loose leaf tea company by the name of XTEA CO.

2.       What makes your company unique from others in your industry?

What makes XTEA CO unique is that we only sell premium, artisan and trade tea.  Premium means that we are committed to offering you the highest quality, outrageously flavourful tea that the world has to offer- a commitment to sourcing sustainable product first.  Artisan means we are committed to our partners around the globe, their communities and the individual artisans who help us create unforgettable taste experiences- a commitment to giving you the freedom to create along side us.  Trade means that we are committed to “better than fair trade” and sourcing with integrity, a commitment to fairness, equality, and looking out for the little guy.  After all, we are a little guy too!

3.       How do people find out about your businesses?

People find out about XTEA CO mainly through referrals but we have an online store, www.xteaco.com a facebook page, and an YouTube video as well.

4.       Can you tell us a bit about being located in Downtown Kitchener?

XTEA CO is located downtown Kitchener in a space called THE UNDERGROUND.  It is awesome location as you are part of a community that is constantly creating events and opportunities to be involved in. I also let others share the space with us as well.

5.       Do you have one expert tip that you can share?

The one expert tip I would share is that tea does not need artificial seasonings or flavourings to taste amazing if it is good quality tea.  Tea can fix anything from digestive problems, low energy, lack of focus, anxiety etc to name a few. My industry is growing very quickly.  After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.  People, especially young people are starting to pay a lot more attention to what they are putting in their bodies.  They are starting to understand the health benefits assocociated with tea.  Last year, Starbucks dropped more than $600 million dollars to acquire 300 of the Teavana chain stores, 59 of them in Canada.

Sign Depot Business Client Spolight – Stephanie Tanner Of Little Mushroom Catering

Get To Know Stephanie Tanner

1.       Steph can you tell us what made you decide to get into the catering business?

Since I was a young teen I was often in the kitchen cooking for my family. My first job outside of babysitting was at a local restaurant called La Costa. I started out as the hostess, then learned other positions in the restaurant including some fun shifts in the kitchen prepping meat, making salads, and plating desserts. I worked in restaurants all through highschool and both of my University degrees, on my road to becoming a high school teacher. When I moved back to town with my first child only a year old I wasn’t so sure that teaching was the right field for me. I started working in the restaurant in the Centre in the Square and quickly moved up to having more responsibilities there, including managing our off-site catering functions. I had worked in catering businesses before and loved going into people’s homes for cocktail parties, or setting up party stations at larger events. When the restaurant eventually closed, I was left with a decision to make. Did I go back to teaching? Did I start on the bottom rung at another local restaurant? Or did I create my own job? It was time for me to venture into business ownership doing what I love to do – making people happy with great food & friendly service.  

2.       The catering industry has a lot of competition.  What makes your company unique?

I have several food sensitivities including nuts and shellfish. Many people have called me out as the pickiest cook they know because I can’t stand mushrooms (Ironic, I know!) and would never order a steak.  At Little Mushroom we take allergies, food sensitivities and even “particularness” into consideration when planning menus to make sure that there is something for everyone at the event. We also offer full-service catering for everything from breakfast meetings to business lunches, cocktail events to wedding receptions and even funerals. A lot of places in town just offer drop offs of sandwich platters but go beyond with our friendly knowledgeable staff and delicious local fare.

3.       How do new clients find Little Mushroom Catering?

We are active on social media @CateringFungi on Twitter, you can connect with me on LinkedIn and you can Like us on Facebook. You can find all our menus on-line at www.littlemushroomcatering.ca or call us at 226-929-7927.  We also have a consultation & tasting room at 32 Ontario Street if you’d like to pop in to say hello.  

4.       Can you tell us a bit about your new location?

I recently purchased Nom Nom Treats, a cookie company that puts your logo on edible swag for tradeshows, client appreciation events, or just to have out for people at the office.  The bakery for Nom Nom is located in the back half of the storefront at 32 Ontario Street.  I’m happy to now have office space and a place to meet with clients in the front half that isn’t surrounded by our fridges and stoves at our prep kitchen on Whitney Place.

5.       Do you have one kitchen tip that you can share?

Here’s a tip for life that definitely translates to the kitchen: be aware of your surroundings – for safety actually in the kitchen, but also in regards to what is available locally.

6.       How do you see your role changing in the coming years?

I’ve recently been stepping away from the kitchen and leaving things in the capable hands of my full-time chefs & baker. Instead my focus is on client relations and experience. I have a wonderful new business development coordinator and an event coordinator who also help keep the train on the track for me so I can focus on the tasks of a business owner & ensuring my clients have the best experience possible.

De – VINYL Intervention Using Vinyl Graphics and Decals

The Change-Up

Sometimes the simplest items can be transformed with just a few additions.  A great example of this is a stainless steel bar fridge becoming a collector’s item by adding a few artistic extras to the front of it.

This hum-drum, run of the mill appliance came in looking like this

and with the addition of some digitally printed vinyl graphics, will be leaving as the showpiece for upcoming Super Bowl giveaway at a local establishment.  The  artistic sign decals transformed the bar fridge into a promotional product, branded to advertise the business doing the giveaway.

Changing the outside of the refrigerator door, did not change how the appliance works, but gave it a unique look and changed it into a “collectible”

All it takes is a little inspiration to change everyday items into “must have” and “one of kind” items.  The use of vinyl decals and digitally printed vinyl graphics can transform the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Simple Steps To Using Vinyls

• Know what type of surface you’re applying your vinyl to
• Make sure to measure (& then measure again)
• Take time to consider the colour scheme surrounding the object
• Ensure your vinyls are applied by a professional

Somethings Are Better Left To The Imagination

Not every surface should be left untouched.  The Jennifer Brouwer Design Blog featured chalkboard paint as a design element.  Chalkboard paint can be messy if not applied to a properly sanded surface.  Why not try it vinyl form?  Chalkboard vinyl is the newest addition to our vinyl lineup.  Now it has me pinning what projects would look great in our new Chalkboard Vinyl.   Check out our Pinterest Board USES FOR CHALKBOARD VINYL .

So whether you need window graphics, vehicle branding or just looking to spruce things up, think about how you can implement some vinyl into your next project and stage your own De – vinyl intervention.

 

Does Your Branding Travel With You? Try Artistic Signs In The Form Of Vinyl Vehicle Graphics

On The Road Again

If you run a business there is a good chance you are also running to meetings, and by running I mean driving.  How much time does your vehicle spend on the road each day?  How many different streets to do you travel on?  How many people do you pass by?

Those are all questions to consider when thinking of extending your branding to your vehicle.  When you stop and think about it, your vehicle is more than your mode of transportation, it’s an extension of your business.  Choosing the graphics for your motor vehicle is just as important as selecting a the right size of car/truck/van to meet your needs.

What Do You Want To Be Remembered By?

Here are 5 things that you should think about when deciding on your vehicle graphics

1. Will it stand out on a moving vehicle?
2. Is it designed to look appealing when parked?
3. Does it have quick contact info? (IE website, social networks, and/or phone number)
4. Is the logo memorable?
5. Are the graphics a good reflection of what you specialize in?

Other things to consider are colours, durability and placement.  There are also options of auto-body or car window graphics.  Small details such as using reflective lettering can make a difference in your vehicle’s visibility to the public.

Where would Lightning McQueen be without his Rust-eze logo?

How else would you know to hide out from the Stride Gum Advertising Team?

and what makes this car look so familiar?

http://youtu.be/w1b4jnHJo4Q

Make sure to consider how your vinyl vehicle graphics will be displayed.  If you are using the vehicle for promotional purposes it is important that you choose eye-catching brand design.  Artistic signs in the form of vehicle graphics are a great way to grab attention and display what your business specialty is.

Whether you find yourself on the Lost Highway, Route 66 or The Freeway Of Love make sure that you are getting  the most out of your transportation investment by making your mobile branding memorable.

Five Ways Custom Vinyl Signs And Graphics Can Help Grow Your Business

Man of Mystery

Over the last few posts you have been introduced to Dave, Peter & myself , but have you met our Vinyl Master?  He takes care of tons of departments here.  Vinyl Vehicle graphics, Banners and A-Frame  signs are his specialty but the list doesn’t end there.  He creates window graphics, simulates etchmarked glass, prepares trade show signs and so much more. 

Five Ways Vinyl Signs Can Help Grow Your Business

1. Vehicle graphics work well as mobile advertising for your fleet and as promotional vehicles
2. Banners work well as temporary signage especially for “Opening Soon” messages
3. A-Frames capture walk by traffic and can be customized to add chalkboard, white boards and quick sale messages
4. Vinyl window graphics are great way to stand out and be noticed in busy urban areas where there is a lot of vehicle as well as pedestrian traffic.
5. Trade show signs can be a combination of the sign types listed above but there are a lot of other options as well.  The key is to stand out from everything else around you, but still look tasteful.

Time Is On Your Side

Any of the above signs can easily be created within a week’s time, so if you have a slower period in sales and want to run a quick promotion vinyl signs are a great way to go.  We have lots of colour choices when it comes to vinyl graphics and decal which makes it easy to match the pantones in your logo.  If you have any additional questions about how custom vinyl signs can help your business make sure to contact Ben and he can go over what would work best for your company’s signage needs.

 

The hardest part is getting him to pose for a picture. 

So have you met this Mystery Man?  What did he make for you?

Artistic Sign Solutions For Business – Gloss Captures Attention With Custom Business Signs

This street view photo by James Howe shows exactly what you would see as you pass by.

Eye catching don’t you think?

Adding Artistic Sign Elements To Storefront Signs

Finding ways to capture the attention of passers-by in this fast-paced world we live in is a difficult task for many store owners.  Adding artistic sign elements can help create a brand buzz when a new business moves in the area.  Gloss chose this route when they opened their Kitchener Ontario location and The Sign Depot was happy to provide the sign solutions to make that happen.

As you can see from the photo above, Gloss made the most of their Downtown location by using the Exterior signage as a focal point for drive by traffic and window graphics to catch the attention of those walking by as well.

Grab Their Attention

Want to be memorable? You need to get noticed.  Our  artistic sign solutions for businesses help to grab attention and make your company memorable. Below are three different ways Gloss used custom business signs to get noticed.

1. Choosing an flat backer sign with dimensional letters helped Gloss stand out from the surrounding businesses.
2. By incorporating the logo into the vinyl windows graphics it gives memorable look without taking away from the current window displays.
3. A custom A-Frame sign was constructed to include a wipe off board so store specials and events can be updated on a regular basis

Signs Of Consistency

All these custom business signs incorporated the company logo and the clean look stayed true to the Gloss business brand. Consistency is the key for being recognizable.  Is your business anticipating a move in the near future, or could your entrance-way use a refresh? Make sure to speak with one of our professional sign designers to see how our artistic sign solutions can increase your traffic and help you to grab some new customers.

 

3 Dimensional Sign Letters – Williams Fresh Cafe Rebrand

When A Well Recognized Business Brand Decides To Refresh 

Many Williams establishments in the area are currently going through a rebrand and more fittingly a refresh.  They are changing from William’s Coffee Pub to Williams Fresh Cafe.  The reason for Williams new branding is explained  by Corey Dalton CEO of Williams Fresh Cafe  on the Williams Fresh Cafe website

“People’s palates are becoming increasingly more refined with restaurant expansions and the food education they receive via pop culture. Also, consumers have far more access to global foods through the supermarkets offerings as globalization continues,” Dalton said.

This switch to fresh fare required a change for all their company signs and required a new green influenced colour scheme to match the refreshed brand.  The Williams restaurants we worked on required a couple of sign elements.  The 3 dimensional sign letters  that hang from a bulk head over the menu boards were the noticable difference between the new branding and the orginal Coffee Pub signs. Frosted vinyl window graphics were also a part of the business sign solutions we provided. These window decals add to the warm and friendly entrance-way.

Top Five Reasons To Rebrand – According To The Sign Depot

Why would you want to rebrand? Here are the 5 reason we find most businesses rebrand

1. You want your business to appeal to a new demographic
2. Your company is expanding and you want want it represent your growth
3. The type of services you provide are changing
4. To reflect new trends in your industry IE green economy, organic lifestyle
5. A merger or a switch to a collaberative workspace

Hot Beverage Anyone?

On a dreary day like this, sometimes all you need is a Hot Beverage to Perk You UP! If you stop by a Williams Fresh Cafe let us know what you think of their new business branding.  Did you enjoy the new look? Did the updated signs add to the refreshed atmosphere?