Conversations with Katie Goth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Goth.

Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2017 My little sister graduated from Nursing school, and my mom wanted to order a yard sign. We decided to order one online ourselves to set up. We realized these online signs were not weather friendly and would not survive the snow we had. So it was a bust. This led my mom, Becky Johnson, Owner and co-founder, and aunt Tracey Wiley Owner and Co-Founder, to start considering what it would take to start a yard sign company. Yard deSIGNS was born. They approached me to come to assist with marketing. I had a full-time job and decided it was something I would love to work on with them for nights and weekends. With a degree in marketing and background in events, it just made sense. After some market research, They worked fast to find our inventory and get us up and running. By the 2018 graduation season, we had an online website, some social media pages, and advertising started. We did 50 signs in May. We quickly realized this part-time garage business was growing faster than expected. We spent the next year nailing down vendors, working with our now graphic designer, and customizing custom inventory and an exclusive Yard deSIGNS font. We also worked on creating an easy, one-of-a-kind online website platform. After a successful year of sales, custom inventory to survive any weather condition, and a one-of-a-kind website platform with easy online ordering for the customer, we started getting numerous requests for signs in different cities and states. With this being a rental business, we could not fulfill the request. We worked with a great team and decided that offering entrepreneurs the option to become a Yard deSIGNS licensee were the way to go. Fast forward to today, we are now in 12 states, have 32 locations, and are continuing to grow! Yard deSIGNS is the best leap of faith I have ever taken. I combine my business background with my creative side to help bring smiles to the community and help entrepreneurs start their businesses.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With any business starting, there are always ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles is figuring out a work/life balance. As an entrepreneur, you work around the clock and spend the first few years investing in your business. We also started growing at a rate that was hard to keep up with, so we had to quickly shift our processes to keep our family-owned and run business atmosphere.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With Yard deSIGNS, I am in charge of the marketing, licensee agreements, and new licensee training. I help entrepreneurs start their yard deSIGNS locations around the nation. I am most proud when I get a phone call from a licensee and they say I remember thinking I could never do this, and now I’m selling out nights. With a marketing degree and a background in event coordinating, Yard deSIGNS is the best leap of faith I have ever taken. I combine my business background with my creative side to help bring smiles to the community.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First are co-founders and owners Becky Johnson (mother) and Tracey Wiley (aunt). There would be no Yard deSIGNS without them. They keep me motivated and going daily—my husband and kids for being my biggest cheerleader. My 2-year-old loves to set up signs, and my husband is so understanding when I bring work home every day. The community! Without our family, friends, and community, we wouldn’t be where we are. You guys have supported us and got us to where we are today. Word of mouth is everything in this small business. Seeing your reactions to our yard signs is the best part of the business. Licensees, each time we see a deSIGN posted around the country on social media, it brings a smile and keeps us going. Knowing that our licensees are succeeding in their business venture of Yard deSIGNS is our biggest achievement.

Pricing:

• Yard deSIGNS yard sign rentals start at $75 depending on package for 24 hours.
• If interested in starting your own Yard deSIGNS location the is a form you can fill out and you will be contacted for more details on capital investment. https://theyarddesigns.com/become-a-designee/

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theyarddesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yard_designs/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yarddesignscorporate/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WKrIUbFVF2pHcBzwJRgLg