Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregg Stopher.
Gregg, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My wife (Flora), a SCAD graduate, started an advertising agency (Imagine Advertising, located in Peachtree Corners) in 1994, incorporating in 1997. We were married in 2000, and I joined her in the business in March of the following year. She is the brains, the talent, the engine, and the genuine entrepreneur. I merely “steer the ship.”
My own career took a circuitous path, from right out of grad school in Texas: to working at a grocery distributor; then to the pharmaceuticals industry; on to biotech; then switching to the OTC side of business; and eventually into advertising (where I met my future wife), We do a variety of work at the agency, from pure creative design, to print, direct mail, web design, and digital advertising, and a few years back we began producing both digital print and signage in-house.
Earlier this year, we purchased a full-fledged sign fabricating company, Global Signs, which has been in business since 1952. At some point, we would like to get both of our companies under one roof.
Has it been a smooth road?
The first few years, Flora would tell you, were a struggle (as with most all small business start-ups). When I joined her, in 2001, we began working extensively in the furniture & bedding industry, especially with Ashley Furniture, which has since gone on to become the largest of its kind in the world.
The Great Recession was tough, but God is good, and we survived (we had just purchased our own building when the downturn hit).
At the present time, we are in transition, as we are attempting to become more of a localized resource to area businesses, as opposed to in the past (when we did 90+% of our business out of state).
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Creative design, print (digital, sheet-fed, and web offset), web design & hosting (separate company, a joint venture called Imagine Retailer), direct mail, shared mail, circulars, E-mail marketing, and signage (both indoor and outdoor).
20+ years in business, won several creative awards, many longtime customers, customer service personnel that genuinely care about our customers, and an excellent reputation for following up & following through,
I am most proud of the fact that we stand behind everything that we do, and we constantly strive to make the customer happy – even when it costs us significant dollars.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta, in general, and Peachtree Corners/Norcross (more specifically), are excellent places for business. Atlanta is a magnet for high-achievers, and the opportunities are boundless.
Except for the ongoing issue of “how do we solve our traffic issues?”, everything else is in place. Moderate climate (spectacular springs and falls), a cost-of-living considerably below other large cities, nice people, and bright people, all with a warm, southern “feel.”
We love it here (I am originally from Kentucky and my wife is originally from North Carolina).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.globalsignsusa.com; www.imagineadv.com
- Phone: 770-931-0022; 770-734-0966
- Email: hammer@globalsignsusa.com; gregg@imagineadv.com
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
