HIRED LEARNING: Robert Acquaye’s Franchise Solution

By Frances Chaves
After more than 50 combined years of working in the corporate world, PSGCNJ member Robert Acquaye and his wife decided to go into business for themselves and opened a franchise, FASTSIGNS® of Newark.
In December 2010, Robert’s department in Chicago was outsourced and he was laid off. Returning to New Jersey in March 2011, Robert joined PSGCNJ in May 2011. Frustrated by meeting dead ends in his search, he determined that at his age, he had to try something different. Having worked as a consultant for several years, Robert was familiar with both the rewards and difficulties of freelance work. He said, “I wanted a business with an assured history and a proven method. I wanted work that could use my career background in marketing, direct marketing and printing, while providing growth opportunities. That led me to franchises; I considered several then chose FASTSIGNS® which is a leader in its field and is run professionally—similar to what I have known in my career.”
FASTSIGNS® Newark is located at 210 Market Street. Robert and can be reached via phone at 973-273-1200 or online at www.FASTSIGNS.com/605. The company’s goal is to help local businesses, organizations and events overcome their business and visual communications challenges by using a wide range of custom product solutions including window and vehicle graphics; site and architectural signs; banners and posters; safety and identification signage; point of purchase materials; trade show displays; digital signage and mobile websites.
A committed member of PSGCNJ’s Marketing Committee, Robert authored articles and edited editions of this blog. “The value of PSGCNJ’s networking, forums, and weekly presentations was immeasurable. It built my confidence in giving my 30 second elevator speech. The fact that I had somewhere to go weekly made me feel productive, with continued use and refreshing of my skills,” said Robert, who continues to benefit from his PSGCNJ experience. “The networking skills that I honed (at PSGCNJ) have ongoing benefit to me as I build my clientele through meetings and presentations. What I learned in the motivational presentations keeps me going during difficult times: knowing others have been here before but were able to overcome challenges.”
Advice for job seekers: “It is important to know that sitting at home and trying to do it all by yourself does not yield many dividends. Meeting, volunteering, and making contacts, refreshes your contacts and broaden horizons which ultimately will lead to getting placed or meeting your goal, whatever that may be.”
Robert invites PSGCNJ members to stop by and say hi, and to tell friends about FASTSIGNS® services and products which can be shipped anywhere across the US to meet your needs.
We wish Robert the best of success!
Video Vault:
For more information about franchises, go to PSGCNJ’s Video Vault and watch “Owning a Business or Franchise,” by Charlie Miejewski, Senior Franchise Consultant, recorded 5/16/2011. Please note that to access the Video Vault you must be a member of the PSGCNJ Yahoo Group.