Business Spotlight: Humor, perseverance pay off for SignUs owner

Some people know Troy Hughes for the stand-up comedy routines he performs at local nightclubs.

Others know him as a part-time real estate agent for Four Seasons Realtors.

Most people in Springfield's business community, however, know Hughes as the owner and operator of SignUs, a shop that designs and installs signs.

Hughes first got into the sign business back in 1994 after his father, who's a real estate broker and auctioneer with Murney Associates, asked him to install some real estate signs for him. Before long, he found himself installing signs for a number of different Realtors. Then, several Realtors began asking Hughes to do the lettering and graphics for their signs.

After doing a little research to see what he would need, Hughes purchased a computer, a printing plotter, some marine-grade lumber and several rolls of colored vinyl adhesive, which he used to make the letters and graphics on each sign.

"My first month in business, I made $25," Hughes said. "I was working out of my basement, and my son was helping me."

Although things were discouraging at first, Hughes stuck with it.

An optimist, he combated the challenges he faced as a new business owner by falling back on his sense of humor.

When customers called to inquire about getting their signs installed, Hughes told them that he could get the job done because he has a PhD a post hole digger. He also named his fledging business SignUs (pronounced sinus) and adopted a business motto that asked customers to, "Pick us. We won't booger it up."

Hughes' perseverance and humor saw him through, and eventually business picked up. In 1997, he moved operations from his home to a building at 417 W. Walnut.

By 1999, Hughes needed more space, so he purchased a building at 639 W. Walnut, which he now is renovating.

"I started this business with $13," Hughes said.

"Last year, I grossed around $130,000. You don't need a bunch of money to go out and start a business. You just need to believe in yourself."

According to Hughes, approximately 90 percent of the commercial real estate companies in the Springfield area now use SignUs to make and install their large commercial signs.

To increase business, Hughes began to diversify, and today SignUs sells and services many different types of signs, including sandblasted, illuminated, electric, vacuum form, neon, monument, channel and pre-formed letter. SignUs also sells large banners and custom bumper stickers, as well as magnetic signs for commercial vehicles.

In 1998, Hughes opened a second SignUs shop in Ozark. The shop, which is managed by Jeff Conn, specializes in custom T-shirts and sells and services a wide variety of commercial signs.

"I believe in having fun with what you're doing," Hughes said. "I also believe in giving back. I've donated a lot of signs to nonprofit and charitable organizations. I believe when you give to others, that good energy will find its way back to you."

These days, Hughes said he needs all the energy he can get. Recently, he and his wife, Sherry Hughes, and his parents, Larry and Cathy Hughes, purchased the building at 326 S. Campbell, which formerly housed Ms. Persnickety Fashions. The Hugheses plan to convert the building into the headquarters of Top Hat Nut Co.

For the past several years, the Hugheses have donned turn-of-the-century attire complete with top hats and sold old-fashioned roasted peanuts, cinnamon-glazed nuts and a variety of dried fruits at trade shows and fairs throughout the area. These food products now will be sold through Top Hat Nut Co.

According to Troy Hughes, the majority of Top Hat Nut Co.'s business will come through outside sales.

He also believes the store sales will be strong, thanks to local demand.

"It's going to be hard to find the time to do everything, but I'm looking forward to doing something new," Hughes said. "I really enjoy doing business in the downtown area, and I'm looking forward to renovating that old building. I may even paint a mural on the side of it."