A Mother's Joyful Journey with Custom Signs

In Hayden, there's a mom who found her passion in making people smile. Elise Smith started her journey in 2022, after spending over a decade at home with her four kids. Her mom's visit in Texas was the spark she needed. There, she saw women setting up large, colorful yard signs and learned about Sign Gypsies, a company that lets you design your own signs. This was the perfect fit for Elise. She decided to open her own Sign Gypsies franchise in Hayden. Why? Because it allowed her to be flexible and still be there for her kids. Elise designs, installs, and picks up the signs. She manages bookings and markets the business all by herself. She's happy to do it. Elise's signs are mostly weatherproof and typically build out to about 15 feet long and 4 feet high. They contain about $500-800 worth of wholesale graphics. She installs signs in all weather conditions, from snowstorms to blistering heat. But when she sees those smiles, it makes everything worth it. "I love sharing joy with others and making people happy - Sign Gypsies helps me do that, " she said.

Elise also likes to add a touch of magic to the sign installations whenever she can. "If a sign is ordered for a birthday, I install the evening before and the recipient wakes up to a surprise, " she said. "I try to be a ninja in the yard, and my goal is to not be discovered as I set up. " Now, three years after starting her Sign Gypsies franchise, Smith has been named Hayden Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year. "Never in a million years did I think my little one-woman show would win an award, " Smith said. "I have put so much literal blood, sweat and tears into getting Sign Gypsies CDA up and running. " Elise also works with organizations such as Make-a-Wish, Specialized Needs Recreation, the North Idaho State Fair, local Parent Teacher Associations/Organizations and the Hayden Triathlon. Looking forward, she hopes to grow Sign Gypsies into the go-to place for people hosting events and celebrations. "I'd love to get to the point where I need to hire a helper or two, " she said.

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