By Sonia Yooshing
Founding a new company not only involves formulating a terrific business strategy; it also means days, often months, of planning and preparation, risk evaluation, and endless questions about the unknown. Yes, it does sound daunting at first, but for those that are able to move past these challenges, a world of endless opportunities awaits. One such organization, Vancouver Sign Group Inc. (VSG), was able to chase the vision and take their business to soaring heights. Recently founded in 2019, the company, as some may think, is still in its infancy; however, the firm constitutes the expertise of two separate sign shops—Scott Paragon Signs and Zippy Signs—making success an inevitable outcome.
Sign Media Canada recently spoke with VSG’s vice-president of sales and director, Jordan Jacobs, to learn more about the company’s history, its signmaking process, recent projects, and how the sign shop is conducting business amid a global pandemic.
Sign Media Canada (SMC): What is the history of the shop?
Jordan Jacobs (JJ): Scott Screen Process, founded by Bill Scott in 1941, was an exclusive screenprinting shop located in the heart of Vancouver’s South Granville district, producing items such as decals and posters primarily for the real estate industry. In 1962, Scott handed down the company to his two sons, Joe and Bob Scott, where they continued growing the business for more than 40 years.
In 2004, the current president and CEO of VSG, Robbie Jacobs, along with his son Duane purchased the assets of Scott Screen Process and, two years later, those of Paragon Signs, a large-format and custom fabrication shop. The resulting company, Scott Paragon Signs, was formed in 2006, an organization that has continued its growth organically year-over-year in the wide-format digital printing and custom 3D sign markets with local and national accounts.
Zippy Signs was established in 1990 by Alnoor Virani. Following his unexpected demise in 2012, the company was taken over by close relatives Tazmina and Mahmood Mangalji, who, at the time, did not possess much knowledge about the sign industry. That said, the duo never allowed their lack of experience get in the way of the company’s success; they were able to build the business with their “get it done” attitude and focused on fostering valuable customer relationships.
In 2019, the two companies joined forces to create Vancouver Sign Group Inc.
