Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Burnett.
Hi Larry, 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?
First, I have always had a love for graphics and computers. Started working in the imaging business in 1980 and my passion grew for design and computer systems, I started Dazzle Signs out of my home with my wife in 2010 with a used vinyl cutter, desktop printer and a desktop computer system, I had been in the imaging business for more than 40 years and decided to used my 2 loves to build a business. I was printing business cards, flyers and cutting boat decals for sale on EBAY. I started making signs for golf tournaments and yard sales and our business started growing. In 2014 the business had outgrown the house and I moved into an office building in 2 connected suites. I had no customers and a lot of faith. I opened everyday after 5pm (still had a job). I started working with local print shops and event coordinators to handle their overflow jobs and emergency printing. My customers started to spread the word about how we were helping them and we really started growing. We outgrew the 3 suites we had and moved into a much larger space on the 1st floor. We grew by reinvesting in the business, purchasing embroidery equipment, wideformat printers, envelope printers and a lot of new systems. The one thing that we did to grow was to always pay upfront for all equipment, supplies, and software. We have no debt! Our faith and some great customers kept us going and growing. We still print for resale, just a larger selection and speed is what Dazzle Signs is known for. We have the ability to get most printing out the same or next day. The only low point in our business was losing my spouse to cancer in 2024. I still love seeing the smile on a customers face when we are able to get their project done before expectation. There is a bright future for this industry and our business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We have not had many struggles, prayer has helped keep us going. Even during 2020 we had a great year, with money in the bank for paying our bills. I look forward to some day handing the business off to my children and seeing them grow with it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our tag line is “Let us help your project Dazzle”. I use the industries publications and learning new software to keep us on the cutting edge of graphic design and product production. I regularly attend industry events to learn new techniques and see what the industry is using to promote growth. I have purchase new equipment to enable us to print banners, signs, decals, posters, and outdoor vehicle graphics. We are able to print full color business cards, funeral programs, flyers, booklets, books, and brochures, delivering them within a few hours. We installed a new DTF printer to allow us to do full color textile printing to garments, also to sell transfers for pressing on garments to resellers. 90 percent of our business is printing different products for the resellers in our local area. Our shop is a learning environment, we regularly have clients to come in to learn how to make the products they sale or learn new software or equipment. I have a genuine love for helping customers and seeing their businesses grow.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The print industry is poised for unbelievable growth and it will need people willing to learn new techniques to grow with it. I love the business and am looking forward to the future and seeing what my daughter will do to grow our business even more.
Pricing:
- Business Cards $40 same day printing
- 4×6 FC flyers .35 each same day printing
- 3×6 FC banner $108 same day printing
- 2×3 poster print $25 same day printing
- 2×3 Mounted Print $65.00 same day printing
Contact Info:
- Website: dazzlesigns.com (renew website in development)
- Facebook: dazzlesigns
- Other: https://dtfmemphis.com
