Westley Campbell: Campbell Signs and Designs

Today we’re excited to have Westley Campbell from Campbell Signs and Designs on the show! What started as a hobby sign business has now grown into a multifaceted company with several different specialties. In the shop, there’s a woodworking area, several CNC machines, a laser system for laser etching, and even a vacuum kiln. 

Westley says he likes to do a little bit of everything. While sign making was the first step, Campbell Signs and Designs has grown and diversified to accommodate the needs of the customers. Westley notes there are a lot of maple syrup producers in his area so he’s also branched out to doing laser work on glass bottles. 

Engineer by Day, Woodworker by Night

Westley describes himself as a plastics engineer by day and part-time woodworker by night and weekends. Fortunately he works with robotics at his day job which lends well to the CNC capabilities as well as the laser machines. 

When Westley started his company he was focusing on small home decor signs that he largely made with a router tool. However, with a passion for growth and a desire not to turn down business, as more specific requests and new materials were discussed he decided to run with it. The business has continued to evolve as a result. 

A lot of the customer base started as folks that Westley would meet at craft shows while he was getting the word of mouth about his business out. Now, his customers are everyone from hobbyists to contractors.

The Future For Campbell Signs and Designs

One problem that Westley was facing earlier on was sourcing his wood and panels. As the shop was a bit sparse, Westley would need to source panels from other woodworkers which could occasionally slow down production. Some big investments for Westley was a large planer, joiner and sander which allowed him to do his own panels.

Campbell Signs and Designs aims to be a one stop shop for custom projects, milling, and woodwork. Westley notes another volume of business he tends to do is Victorian reproductions as a lot of the homes in his area are older style homes that people want to preserve. 

Currently, the biggest challenge facing this small business is not enough time in the day, especially around the holidays it gets very hectic. 

The Evolution of a Wood Business

Westley jokes that he doesn’t have a business plan and he’s just still getting his feet wet, but he does have some plans and aspirations for the future of his business, including moulding and more woodworking investments. 

Westley does note that if he could restart his business from scratch he would have liked more of a business plan, but now that he’s focusing on the sawmill side of things he clearly sees the vision for his shop. His plan is to stock lumber and do custom sawing and drying. Another long term plan for this year is the investment and acquisition of a moulding machine. Westley intends to have his own moulding line out this year.

Business and Marketing Advice Corner

Westley notes that as the business has evolved and started to branch into different specialties he worries that their name doesn’t convey everything that the company is capable of now. Steve remembers before his business was called Acres of Timber he too felt limited by his original name which drove him to make the switch, he offers this same advice to Westley. 

The two brainstorm some ideas and Steve reminds all entrepreneurs that they are allowed to change their minds and update their business and brand as they grow and as their company grows too.

Steve explains the concept of maintaining the existing corporation but changing a DBA “doing business as” to operate a new name.. 

The advice Westley offers is to be flexible, embrace new things and to not get locked into doing only one thing. 

Website: https://www.campbellsignsanddesigns.com/