WHITESTOWN, N.Y. — While some businesses have closed their doors due to the pandemic, others have been able to start up and prosper. For Becky D’Aiuto, owner of Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions, her business-ownership dream became a reality in January, after securing a location at 5994 Judd Road in the town of Whitestown. This […]
WHITESTOWN, N.Y. — While some businesses have closed their doors due to the pandemic, others have been able to start up and prosper.
For Becky D’Aiuto, owner of Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions, her business-ownership dream became a reality in January, after securing a location at 5994 Judd Road in the town of Whitestown. This was followed by a formal opening at a ribbon-cutting event in early February. D’Aiuto was presented with a “First Dollar of Profit” Award from the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce.
After researching various franchise concepts through a franchise broker, D’Aiuto was able to determine the scope of her business. She found the challenges that surrounded COVID-19 supported her choice to start a sign-making business during the pandemic. The public-health crisis has made social distancing and mask signs necessary, which made businesses need new signage that they could not have imagined needing before. This influenced D’Aiuto to focus on serving business clients. Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions, creates indoor and outdoor signs, custom signs, vinyl signs and graphics, and vehicle wraps.
“There’s a lot of people that think that during an economic downturn is a great time to start a business,” D’Aiuto tells CNYBJ, noting that it has been for her as well. “The phones have been ringing and there’s been a lot of inquiries through our website.”
Even though D’Aiuto is a first-time business owner, she has had experience running a not-for-profit as the executive director of the Rome Hospital Foundation. She also comes from a background of public relations and marketing. D’Aiuto has spent 28 years working in public relations, marketing, and development roles in various industries, including professional sports, the restaurant industry, advertising agencies, and fundraising organizations.
D’Aiuto adds that her husband Paul has been there for moral support for the business and has helped with heavy lifting of some of the firm’s equipment.
Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions’ facility at 5994 Judd Road, was previously home to Oriska-Summit Motor Works LLC and a CrossFit gym. Now, Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions is the sole occupant of the 3,700-square-foot space that it leases. However, Oriska-Summit Motorworks still owns a building on the property, where used-car sales are made. Brian D. Snow, from Pavia Real Estate Services in New Hartford, served as D’Aiuto’s real-estate broker in finding the property.
Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions currently has three employees: D’Aiuto, a shop assistant, and a graphic designer/sign specialist.
D’Aiuto projects revenue of about $250,000 this year. She declined to reveal her total investment to get the business started.
Mohawk Valley Signs & Solutions is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
