Carolyn DeNapoli, owner of Direct Sign Systems, had recently purchased the business from her partner and moved it from Oswego to Yorkville when she learned about the services available to her from the IL Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee (SBDC).  

Direct Sign Systems provides interior and exterior signage, including wayfinding systems, as well as signs that comply with ADA regulations. Her customers are hospitals, schools, municipalities, and businesses. Direct Sign Systems focuses on service and guiding their customers to the system that will best suit their needs and their budget. They handle everything from a basic room sign to a custom designed sign system to coordinate with the décor and/or architecture. They work directly with the architect, contractor and owner to ensure the customer is satisfied with the product and service. Direct Sign Systems takes the project all the way from concept through installation.

Business was strong, and the company had a solid 15-year history of excellence. Despite that, Carolyn was still feeling her way as sole owner of the business, and felt it would be beneficial to have the SBDC do an assessment to identify ways the business could be made even stronger.

A review of financials and bookkeeping practices identified some things that Carolyn could do to get a better handle on job costing and profitability. In addition, the company had just switched to QuickBooks Contractor Edition and Carolyn needed some help getting everything set up correctly.

The SBDC brought in QuickBooks Pro Advisor, Cypress Financial Services, to review their accounts, and help Carolyn implement some changes to her bookkeeping system. Once these changes were made, the SBDC worked with Carolyn to develop a sales forecast for 2014.

Many new sales opportunities are already in the pipeline at Direct Sign Systems, and Carolyn now feels confident that she has systems in place to continue the company's growth.  

"Harriet Parker and the SBDC have been immensely helpful to me. When we switched our QuickBooks to the Contractor version, we had much to learn. The SBDC reviewed my reports and information and gave me an assessment of where my business is at from a financial prospective and gave me the tools needed to forecast my business. They also provided us with Lindi Hannigan, of Cypress Financial Services, to come in and train us. She not only showed us how our products and services should be categorized but also advised me on ways to set up my reports so they would be giving me better information and work easier for my accountant. Lindi and Harriet are both wonderful people who have helped give me the tools and confidence to continue this business on my own."

For more information on Direct Sign Systems, visit their web site at www.directsign.net or contact Carolyn at (630) 553-SIGN (7446).