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I've had a few positions before Rapid Tac. I ran an offset litho press, busted tires at a major tire center, and spent 6 years as a firefighter. ( I've been all around at 28! LOL) Anyway, it's just really interesting to learn about peoples backgrounds.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Not in any order.... Paramedic for many, many years. OTR Truck Driver, U.S. Marine Corp., Sold Real Estate. Manager of a Conv. Store. and lots of Resturaunt work!!!!!
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Hi Jeff....I posted this same question not too long ago. There were LOTS of interesting replies. This is always an interesting topic!
Before signs I was a waitress for 4 hours. Worked at a DairyQueen when I was about 17. Then worked at Payless Drug store as their sign painter until I quit and started my own company. I have been doing my own thing now since 1976!
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Went straight from school to a sign writing apprenticeship...28 years ago
-------------------- Neil White Sign Magic Melton, VIC Australia whitey@primus.com.au Posts: 277 | From: australia | Registered: Dec 1999
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Before I got my act straighten, I spent alot dealing with the law.(not proud of it, but it did straighten me up) Mostly did alot of constuction work, roofing, and concrete, My wife had a constuction company in Cleveland and did alot of work in the warehouse district, Panini's and Velvet Dog, to mention a few spots that her company did.
I always have have been drawing since I was lil, my uncle has a shop in town and I learned there the basics for about 5 yrs and in the last year or 2 I have been getting serious about my own business, along with raising my 4 kids ages 8months to 6yrs old with my wife.
Glad I ofund Letterville, because a rookie like myself learns everyday, also I am 26.
-------------------- Frank Weidman Waukegan, Il. Posts: 71 | From: Waukegan, Il. | Registered: May 2002
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Very cool everyone, and Cheryl, you're always so nice to everyone, I'm sure you were a great waitress. My better half and my step mother both have worked in restaurants for a long time as well, and I know what hard work that is. More good news though! I'm going to be a Dad as well in about 7 months! ( Dad is getting another grandchild!!) :-)
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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For 16 years I did pre-heats on industrial furnaces. Great job, but way too much traveling.( away from home 2-3 months at a time ) And now I'm trucking, 17 years of it, the last 5 years have been local. Tanker work pulling hazardous materials around. The local work has let me have the time to do what I love, paint.
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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Congratulations Jeff! Babies are the most precious little things in the world!!!!
As far as me being nice.......ummmmm well that is the reason I was a waitress for only 4 hours! I pretty much quit after telling a rude customer off. Removed my apron, and walked out on a busy Friday night.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Jeff, I was a long distance telephone operator (this was before direct dial)before going to work for a local silk screen company in 1972. Worked for area sign shops till I went out on my own in 1980. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I made ice cream everyday for about 5 years! Yup, used to run a machine at an ice cream factory. Made fudge bars, chocolate-covered ice cream bars, orange cream bars, and crunch bars.
Then I went to business school during nights and moved into the "corporate world" after graduation. I started working for an insurance company (I won't mention the name, but the initials are S.F), in their tax department servicing retirement plans.
I still work for S.F. part-time 8 hours a day, 5 days a week Maybe someday I'll make the jump into a full-time shop. Just having fun learning right now.
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Ha ha, Cheryl! I'm sure you were a good waitron, too - for 3 hours and 58 minutes...I've seen a lot of pretty raspy waitresses in my young life - I know they put up with a lot... (so do the customers) I can't see you putting up with much crap. I worked in one sign shop for a jerk for 7 hours and 17 minutes when I finally packed it in and threw down the gantlet. He said "Is that all you can take? 7 hours and 17 minutes?" (He was watching the clock as tightly as I was) I worked in one shop for 15 minutes. But I've worked for 36 sign shops...
Before that I set hand type in a typesetting shop, was a proofreader, ran a printing press at night, worked making retread tires, assembled car & truck batteries in a factory, did yard work, wasted 3 1/2 years in the Navy, worked for Edison on the repair crews, sold auto parts.
Since becoming a sign painter I've taken on a ot of interim jobs to support my habit of painting = cleaned swimming pools, factory work, courier delivery, house painting, hung around at Disneyland for a year --- it's a good thing I like to have time off! The bad thing about painting signs is, you don't get unemployment in the dead spells. That's the fine line between 'Self-Employed' and 'Un-Employed'.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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boy this could take a while...iam 57 now so ill work backward....since 86 i been doin signs full time. 85-81 worked NAPA outside sales in sarasota. 78-81 i owned a biker bar(my mom died and left it to me, we started the bar back in 57)78-76 i attended PENN STATE(fayatte campus)as an art major/assist. to art prof. i did all facects of drawing, design and pottery. 75-78 i wound up in a rehab center unlike any that most have know. the guy who ran it was a psycholigist, who drank 5 5ths of vodka a day(before he started this place)and it was a 200 acre farm, and there were 20-30 drunks, drugies, crazies(i fell under crazy heading)living in the "BARN"! yep we all lived in the barn...quiet an experiance, and it changed my whole life. but thats a whole long story in its-self. ok 73-75 i moved back home with my mom,worked at another napa store, and chevy dealership(i used to rent a truck to a band on fridays so they could move the equipment..and the bands name was WILD CHERRY. 69-73 i lived in caribou maine, was a draftsman for a BUTLER metal building co. 65-69 i was in the AIR FORCE stationed at loring A.F.B. maine.and was fuel truck driver.64-65 went to school for drafting and worked construction runnin jackhammer. 50-63 went to school....and lived on a dairy farm most of the summers...but learned to paint from an old "shaky jake" from ohio and his name was WIZARD HAYNES....he taught me when i was 9-12 yrs old....took me all that other crap to finally do what i enjoy most.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raised learning my fathers trade, (construction), and my brother in laws (Pool Repair) as a kid, though they knew I had other ideas, worked at a gas station during the embargo, so none of my family or freinds had to wait in line. Johnnys Speed and Chrome in Buena Park, AutoHaus (VW PERFORMANCE PARTS) Knotts Berry Farm, then construction.....all the while painting window splashes for freinds car clubs, print production, and club fliers, and my dad introducing me to local sign guys, after a back operation, had a chance to get into a small shop, and off I went...got fired and 6 shops later I work for an environmental graphic design firm. (www.huntdesign.com) I have one more place to work, then, one day I'll open my own small custom shop, and teach my boys what I know. (which ain't much) Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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MORIBUND(look it up in the dictionary). That's what I was before signs. I pinstriped for fun for 25 years, but held various jobs I hated. Finally followed Von Dutch's "instructions" and got into the sign thing in the late 70s. Been happily satisfied ever since.
Hey O.P. Met Shakey Jake at a few if the 80s RATFINK meets at KIM DEDICs shop in ANAHEIM. Just before he died, he sported a long white beard, and could still pull an absolutely straight line for 10 feet! One of the GREATS!
[ August 18, 2002, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: Bob Burns ]
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Went to Dedics shop a few time's hoping he would learn me, but I was workin for a collegue. Shakey Jake though? Back in the day.... Hey Bob, if you knew/know them, did you knoe Jose Venagas, he was a sign painter at Knott's for a while. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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When I hit the 10 year mark in my career, I started preparing for the day I retired. I seen too many guys retire and get jobs as car salesmen, or insurance salesmen. I gave myself 2 choices, either I was going to get an education, as a licsensed aircraft mechanic, or pursue sign painting. A few months later, I was sent to Wurtsmith AFB, MI, right next to Lake Huron, in JANUARY! After preflighting a few B-52's in waist deep snow, I had made my choice!
It turned out to be the better choice. Sept 11 happened 6 months after I retired and I knew a few guys that were laid off from the major airlines immediatly, and indefinatly.
I thought I was prepared to run a sign shop full time when I got out......HAHAHAHAHAH. HA It has definatly been a rude awakening. "Careful what you wish for"
-------------------- "B0LT" on the chat room thing.
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Rick, Not sure if I ever met Jose or not. Was he there when Ed Roth was there?If so, I may have met him, but, being a GEEZER, my memory's not working too well.
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Hey Jeff I was a roofer/construction worker till I was diagnosed with Crohn's of the intestines,then it was either disability or start a sign/art business, somedays I think i should have taken the disability payments lol! Steve
-------------------- "I can draw anything but unemployment" Steve Spiry Madd Artist Murals&Signs Brandon,Mb. Canada Posts: 66 | From: Brandon,Mb. Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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Learned pinstriping at the age of 9, 5 years later wandered into a shop owned by Andy Southard close to my home on Long Island and hung out. Met Ed Roth while pinstriping at a car show in NYC before I was 16. Left home at 21 for Hollywood California where I opened a custom made shirt business making clothes for rock groups and pinstriped on the side, Travelled around this great country pinstriping, worked in Vegas, Florida and about 30 other states til I finally pooped out here in Oregon. I love travelling, street racing and just about anything that makes my adrenaline pump.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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We were farmers. Hogs, cattle, corn, beans, hay and yes, I have dressed and plucked chickens, pulled calves and pigs and shovelled a lot of manure.
-------------------- Nancy B. Bennett Walldog Public Art 317 N. 13th St. Centerville, Iowa 52544 Posts: 95 | From: Centerville, IA, USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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Finished high school in '63....signs ever since.
John Lennig / Signrider
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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I started my career as a paperboy. Even back then, I found collecting money from customers tough. Ended up umemployed at 12.
In high school, I worked as a partime janitor at the same school I was attending. Great job! I had keys for every locked door in the place. While others used the stairs, I rode the dumbwaiter.
My next job was at an expandable styrene packaging plant here in Fergus. By age 17, I was a leadhand with grown men working for me. Talk about stress!
I left there in 1973 to work at Canada Wire. At 3 bucks an hour, who could resist? During the next 10 years I ran a wire spooler, plastic extruder and finally ended up actually making PVC plastics. Ask any of the guys I worked with and they will tell you I really drew cartoons most of the time.
We started The SignMan in 1975 and ran it as a partime business until I left Canada Wire in 1983 to go fulltime in signs. Started out in our 18 x 24 ft. garage, but moved to a larger shop soon after going fulltime.
That's about it. Most of you know I had the first of 4 heart attacks on Christmas 1993. That resulted in whole series of events that resulted in the birth of Letterville in late 1995.
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I started lettering bicycles around the time I was 11 years old (used to race bikes at a track we made on a vacant lot one block from home), then did my first race car at 13 years old. Still have some of my original business cards that were titled "LITTLE GABER SIGNS".
I guess there really wasn't anything else before signs for me except a job as a janitor while I was in high school for about 3 years for the local post office, and then I worked at my brother's service station for a year before completing a year of college, and then on to the sign trade in 1984.
I often wonder if I ever got out of this trade... what in the world would I do? Am I qualified to do anything else, or am I just destined to be a sign guy for the rest of my life?
I think a really great job would be: A professional photographer. To be out in all elements of weather, day or night, stalking wild animals, capturing their majestic existence, and taking in all of our natural wonders of the world. I've been lucky enough to see Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Colorado, Canada, and that is only the tip of the iceberg for what is out there.... OK, nevermind... it's back to reality. Coating out 4x8's, weeding vinyl, sloppin' paint a little here and there.
-------------------- Kurt Gaber Chippewa Falls, WI Thank You Letterheads for being a part of both Brush Bashes in '02 & '06!
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I was hired as a graphic instructor at the DC Dept. of Corrections at the age of 22 (the youngest employee at a max facility in the dept's history
After they figured I could take care of myself I was hired. They really didn't care If I could teach since no one had lasted more than 6 months in the position. I was there 5 years before thinking this was not where I wanted to be.
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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(In somewhat of a cronilogical order...)Dog bather...sandwich maker..waitress...veterinary assistant...housekeeper...dishwasher in a Mexican restaurant...prep cook in same...motel maid...dog bather (again)...hotel maid...cashier girl at Harrah's casino...cook at another Mexican restaurant...mom and housewife...bookeeper in sign shop...window painter for same shop...then I started my own gig in 1985.
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Jet engine mechanic 18 years, manage a jet engine test cell. Afterburners, high by-pass fans, and industrial gas turbines putting out 48,000 shaft horsepower (25 megawatts). Bob
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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Hugh Hefner's apprentice, Navy Seal, Neurosurgeon, I invented the Internet. OK, I'll quit dreaming...
At 7 I sold cucumbers from my friends mom's garden, from our bikes At 11 I bused tables at a ski area restaurant for my aunt At 14 - Newspaper boy at the Horse Racetrack
Clothing retail 7 years Custom home painter Architectural drafter Architectural designer Architectural illustrator Bouncer at night club (while going to school) Limo driver (while going to school) and now this for the last 15 years. I am working on my second million. I didn't get the first so I am trying for the second. I have the "1" I just need a few zeros behind it.
-------------------- John Cordova Gitano Design Studio Albuquerque, NM Posts: 268 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Asphalt paving crew ( a job my Dad got for me as an incentive to find something better)
Foundry (yep, my Dad again)
Marine Corps (I guess I didn't learn my lesson)
Construction: Carpenter, Cabinetmaker, General Contractor for 30+ years.
Music store owner (took a break from construction for a couple of years: played alot of music+lost alot of money)
Now my wife and I have a gift store; she runs the business and I just "make things". Signmaking makes up about 1/3 of my work, with woodworking and laser products, the other 2/3's. It's a good mix, with lots of variety and I'm having fun; I think I'll leave well enough alone!
-------------------- Eric Barker Rosewood Design LaGrande,Oregon Posts: 107 | From: La Grande, OR | Registered: May 2002
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Been doing well pumps for 39 yrs., since I was 15, started a nursery business in 1981 & did that for 17 yrs. Still do well pumps & started doing signs in 96, love the signs the best! LP
-------------------- Larry Presnell 19 Phillips Street, Canton, NC 27816 828-648-2326 Posts: 89 | From: Canton, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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As if there aren't enough sign people in my neck-of-the-woods, Larry's post brought to mind our latest Sign person....the local BARBER! LETTERING & HAIR STYLING WHILE YOU WAIT!
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While in High School, carried mail during Christmas holidays, summer months worked as a courier in Wright Aeronautical plant that made motors for the B-19s. Left High School in the senior year (with enough credits to get a diploma) and spent 2 years in the Navy. Started working in a sign shop and went to Lettering school. Worked 8-1/2 years and went on my own.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I worked as a disc jockey on the radio. Heavy Metal first then country. Finished with oldies. Managed a franchise sign shop for 5 years before opening my own. 1 year anniversary Sept. 4th. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
My Manager was a professional clown & magician. Traveled with the circus. Talk about some wild stories!!!!
-------------------- Trey Wilhelm Trey Signs 3741 W. University Ave Gainesville, FL 32607 352-692-4818 Posts: 4 | From: Gainesville, FL | Registered: Sep 2001
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Ran my families pizza stores from 1987 until earlier this year when I went full time in signs. I now thoroughly hate the food industry. Everybody should have to work in it for at least a year to have some real fun. Done lots of things as 2nd jobs. Helped paint apartments, used to do a lot of gun trading (wanted to open a gun store until the laws became crazy as &*#$%), built custom car stereo systems for several years (lots of fun but I always spent every dime I made at it on my own system but darnit it was loud!), my buddies and I tinted windows for a couple of months, did the car detailing thing, and I spent a year and a half managing a franchise pizza store. Probably other stuff just can't think of it. Every time I got into a new hobby, I would try to figure out a way to make money doing it. Like when I played pool, I would buy pool sticks wholesale and resale them, not a lot of money but stuff like that is fun.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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This is always an interesting topic! 
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well.
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