Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Keen Phillips.
Dana Keen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have worked in a sales role in some form for almost 10 years, including retail and both big and small businesses. I owned a small business for a few years, but my father, Lane Keen, continually asked me team up with him and his company, Keen Signs and Graphics. Finally, in 2014 I joined him as a Sales Consultant, and closed my business in 2015 to focus my efforts on Keen Signs and Graphics. I have been heavily invested in our community through participation in various organizations and efforts in the area for many years. That involvement has provided the basis for a large pool of potential customers.
Ironically, the first day I worked for Keen Signs and Graphics full-time, I took the phone call that led to me landing the largest job in company history to date! We fabricated and installed all the signs for a large manufacturing company in Augusta. I have since developed a strong relationship with that company. That relationship, combined with the support of our amazing design and production team, has put us in position as the preferred vendor of all their North American sites during the logo rebranding of the nationwide company. We recently finished the rebranding job for their Charlotte, NC location, our first out of state installation job. Developing a national relationship with this customer led me to be promoted to VP of Sales.
Great, 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?
Like with anything worth doing, there have been difficulties along the way. As Keen Signs and Graphics increases our customer base, we are challenged to face the task of managing growth while maintaining quality products and superior customer service. Also, as we expand our clientele, we meet customers who don’t always know exactly what type of graphic design they need for their final product. Fortunately, our skilled graphic artists are able to take verbal descriptions or rough sketches, and transform them into final products that satisfy our customers’ needs.
Please tell us about Keen Signs and Graphics.
Lane Keen started Keen Signs and Graphics started in 2010. Seven and a half years later, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce honored Lane as the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year. The business has grown from occupying a 1,200-square foot store-front shop to a 6,000-square foot shop with a commercial size roll-up door that leads to a climate-controlled space.
Keen Signs and Graphics specializes in signs and banners, but we offer much more than that. We have wrapped full vehicle fleets, installed large aluminum 3D letters and logos on the exterior of buildings, installed all signage needed for new, large industrial facilities and a wall mural designed to look like a server farm. In addition, we offer building site signs, foam board posters, ADA compliant signs, yard signs, directional signs, monument signs, trade-show displays, vehicle magnets, name badges, promotional products and apparel.
I believe it’s our ability to provide superior customer service and build relationships with our customers that sets us apart from others in our industry. People want to do business with those they know and trust. When they know that we consistently have their best interest at heart, that we understand the “look and feel” of their business, and that we share the common interest in the good of our community; we are able to develop and maintain long-lasting relationships with our customers.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is camping with my family. We would set-up camp at the perfect site on the lake, swim and make s’mores. I always look forward to camping weekends with my family!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1350 Reynolds Street
Augusta, GA 30901 - Website:www.keensigns.com
- Phone:706-364-2151
- Email:dana@keensigns.com
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/keensigns/
- Other:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3IFfxUWBWu-zUoa7wDMzvA
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