This Libertevision screen display is approximately 3.5 m x 2 m (11.5 ft x 6.5 ft) tall.
SMC: What tools/equipment do you currently use to complete your projects?
RB: Over the past year, we have helped keep the economy of this province going as we buy every tool whenever we need it. Our motto is, “If you use it at least twice, it is paid for,” and we will continue to grow with that attitude, as we wish to be the best and most well-equipped team in Quebec. Most of our tooling and equipment is installation focused right now as we are not a sign shop per say. However, next to the simple tape measurer our green laser level is probably the most used tool that we have. Lose it and we are out buying another one asap.
SMC: What does your planning process involve?
RB: When reviewing a project for installation, we write a plan, have others review it, get their input, and then work the plan. Essentially, if we can get involved in a project during the survey/design process, we feel better suited to prepare an install plan by looking at all the elements required well in advance. Then, when it comes to quoting on the job, we go through every step needed to make the installation go as smoothly as possible. We write it all down, figure out the costs, and send to the customer. We don’t just hand them a number; we submit our process showing the value, proving we thought about what their expectations are, and how we are going to meet and exceed them.
SMC: How is technology changing your business?
RB: Every day is a new technical challenge. Not just in installation, but as a startup, we face operational challenges such as setting up our emails, establishing our presence on social media, developing and installing customer relationship management (CRM) software, to name a few.
SMC: What is the key to staying successful in this industry?
RB: Staying on top of changes, especially within the digital realm, understanding technology and using it to one’s advantage, and for us, making sure our customers get an outstanding experience.
Installation of 15, 9-mm (0.35-in.) thick tempered glass, sized at 1.1 m x 1.5 m (3.6 ft x 4.9 ft). Each one weighs 12 kg (26.5 lbs) and is hung with six mustang connectors onto cinderblock brick walls.
SMC: What is the future for your business?
RB: I was inspired by many of the interviews I did in 2020 with the YouTube series Channel Letters and Coffee. Lee Murphy of Access Signs and myself spent some quality time with many industry people, young and old, and from that I gained a better understanding of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to inspire others, create, build, and be part of something greater than myself, instead of just peddling digital hardware as I did for the past 20 years. I interviewed people such as Sam Markle, who created the iconic Sam the Record Man sign, which still sits in perpetuity over the skyline of Toronto. I wanted to be a part of that, In fact, as fate would have it, I got to use all my abilities, consulting on a project which is a landmark site—the flagship store of designer Alexander Wang, in New York City. It features a US $1 million video display that is 3.7 m (12 ft) high and over 36.6 m (120 ft) long, and made of very fine pitch light-emitting diodes (LED). We designed, built, and installed it, all the while dealing with six different nations and countless people. A feat I will never forget and wish to repeat.
