Feedback!

positive customer feedbackThroughout the history of the Holmes Stamp & Sign company, we have always prided ourselves on our outstanding customer service and quality products. We work hard providing our customer with the best designs we can imagine and match them with the best prices we can offer. We’re pretty proud of ourselves and apparently you guys are too!positive customer feedback

Whether our customers realize it or not, we rely on their feedback whether it’s positive or negative. We take all comments, suggestions, and complaints seriously and work to make sure that our customers receive the absolute best shopping experience possible by shopping with us. Lately however, we must be doing something right! In the past couple weeks, we’ve received a slew of positive feedback and we                                                                                   couldn’t be more thrilled!

Missy: So great!!! I sent a custom font and it turned out perfect- exactly what I wanted! I will definitely recommend this shop and use them again! Thanks so much!”

Sarah Shin: “Great communication by the seller. Was very prompt and quick with the proof–even thought I asked for multiple changes. Thank you!”

Lindsey Honeyager: Love this shop! Great looking designs, fast communication, super quick turnaround! I can’t recommend them higher.”

Kristy Catrett: So exciting to press the first of two new embossers and see my company name! Very clear and crisp! And the customer service is AMAZING! Very timely and helpful! Much appreciated!”

 

From everything from custom rubber stamps, to embossers, to DIY ‘Save The Date’s’- these are just a few of the kind words we’ve received from our faithful customers as of late. We’re so happy that everyone is enjoying! Please keep the comments coming!

Holmes Stamp & Sign Does "No Shave November"

While November is typically known for cooler temperatures, family gatherings, Black Friday, and monstrous amounts of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes (otherwise known as Thanksgiving dinner). November has also become known more recently for yet another reason- “No Shave November”. The very mention of it makes wives and girlfriends groan, and roll their eyes in unison. The men get excited and steel the resolve to go the entire month of November without shaving.

But as the month wears on that excitement turns to irritation as well as exhaustion- not just at their scruff, but also at the nagging of their significant others to get rid of it. But then hold strong- and refuse to submit to defeat.

No matter how tiring.

 As you can see from the picture below, the men at Holmes Stamp & Sign are no different. And after many days and nights of ever growing facial scruff, they finally reached the end of November. Note the excitement on their faces!

holmes stamp no shave

We showed you ours, now you show us yours! Send us some of your “No-Shave-November” shots and we’ll feature the best ones in an upcoming blog post!

Crushedblack Presents…With a little help from Rain Dog’s and HolmesStamp &Sign

crushedblack rain dogs jacksonville local
credit: Zane Hall

The city of Jacksonville is as rich in its history as it is in its uniqueness. Jacksonville is the largest city in the country in terms of size, and one of America’s fastest growing as well. So it goes without saying that there are a lot of different people wandering around here in north Florida and oftentimes, with a lot of people, comes a lot of talent- granted, not always; but sometimes we get lucky.

Somewhere off the beaten path in downtown Jacksonville, rests the humble yet eclectic Rain Dogs bar. Amid a slew of antique shops, small deli’s, bars, and restaurants lies a haven for artists and those with dreams of making a difference in their community and the world. Rain Dogs, a café, art gallery, and concert venue, fills this gaping void in the Jacksonville community. Though relatively new to the area, Rain Dogs is already making a splash in the art community with the help of co-owner Christina Wagner.crushedblack rain dogs local jacksonville

So when a group young group of filmmakers under the direction of visionary Jacksonvillian Keagan Anfuso came to Wagner with the idea of hosting a film screening event, Wagner handed over the keys to her Rain Dog’s castle for the sake of art and the rest was local history.

Anfuso’s team is known as CrushedBlack and is made up of a small yet skillful production team determined to breathe life in the film scene here in Jacksonville. Not only do they wish to showcase their own work, but also the works of others like them who are just itching for an audience. The event hosted by the supportive owners of Rain Dog’s attempted to do just that and proved a valiant success.

crushedblack rain dogs local jacksonville
credit: Zane Hall

Naturally we at Holmes Stamp and Sign wanted to help out. We are huge supporters of not just the arts but in originality, and fostering the idea of community in our city. When Anfuso’s ambitious project reached our ears, we knew we had to get involved and help make it the best it could be. By using the Crushed Black Logo we created stickers, and stamps galore as well as a custom banner (see featured image for link) that hung high and proud on the wall where all the guests could see it.

So often anymore, the ingenuity of stamps gets overlooked for flashier methods to spread a message. However Anfuso and her team decided to use our logo stamps and some good old ingenuity at the event to decorate napkins and stamp guests hands upon entering the bar. It is this renewed sense of creativity that small businesses thrive off of- ours included. And like CrushedBlack we are determined to help small businesses and projects with big ideas behind them to the very best of our abilities.

In the case of CrushedBlack, their efforts combined with those of the individuals supporting them proved a brilliant success. With screenings of mini documentaries, a music video, some short horror films, and the musical styles of various local groups. Hopefully the success of this first event will be the first of many events that Jacksonville local’s CrushedBlack put together for the area and for fellow creative souls in need of a breath of fresh talent.

Note: All photo’s of the event were taken by local Jacksonville photographer Zane Hall. Find him on Facebook.

Holmes Stamp & Sign Annual Fieldtrip

DSC_0805Every year, we here at Holmes Stamp & Sign, play host to the first graders of Jacksonville Beach Elementary School. We clean up our work spaces, suck in our guts and comb our hair, because for at least one day a year, we get to be role models. Okay, so we’re not really that bad- but we really do clean up our space and make sure that everything is in its proper place because when over a hundred first graders come bursting through our doors, there’s no telling what could happen.

And while things may get a little chaotic here, for one day a year our focus shifts from profits to fostering interests, giving back to the community, and educating the next generation  on what it means to be a successful business manufacturing company. But success doesn’t always come easy, and during the kids visit they learn firsthand everything that goes into what we do here.

The buses began arriving at 9:30 this morning with everyone rushing and fumbling around making sure everything was ready for the storm about to hit our humble Hogwartsfactory. The pens and pencils put in their holders, the staplers in desks, the coffee machine on standby, and the sandblaster out of reach. Our CEO Bryan Croft met them in the parking lot as two hundred greedy, glistening little eyes looked up at him, around him, and took in their surroundings like a bunch of first years arriving to Hogwarts for the first time. Our great doors opened, and they were ushered in to our Great Hall, otherwise referred to as the lobby, where they were able to look around and see what it is we actually create here. Unfortunately there were no house elves, ghosts, or other Hogwartian creatures to greet them but they were still excited nonetheless.

DSC_0803The kids were each given a bag to fill with all sort of goodies and split into groups of 6 The various groups were then directed to different stations we had set up throughout the building for them. It was an organized sort of chaos we admit, but it ultimately ensured that we didn’t run short on time, and that there was never a dull moment. One group made their own stamps while another learned to make buttons or their own custom name tags. They even took the time to spruce up our conference room with some original art! Uhm..well..we think that’s what it is. Ultimately the kids ended up with some great free stuff to add to their goody bags!

Our CEO Mr. Bryan Croft, has always found it important help sponsor growth whether it be from within our own offices or in the community. Bryan says “I put everything back to marketing and community support – so [the kids] all walk out of here with some sample products and we feel good about helping our community.” The Holmes Stamp field trips all started about four years ago when Bryan’s daughter was in first grade. A conversation was struck up between the teacher and Bryan and he was asked if the kids could come and tour the facilities at some point during the year. “I thought it would be fun to do! I’m still friends with her and every year she still calls me to set it up!” he says now looking back.

I caught up with Bryan after the storm had passed and asked him just why he thought that this was so important? He responded with “It shows the kids what a company looks like and they get an understanding of fonts, colors, signs etc…Personally, I also like it for our team as its pretty darn refreshing to have a day where we really don’t care about FLO and getting it to zero (don’t ask) or get sales to grow – it keeps us grounded and we get to answer fun questions like ‘Can I stamp my brother?’”.

Google Maps Street View Car in Jax

Ever seen a Google Maps Street View car driving around? Well our CEO Bryan Croft did! We’ve  always wondered what these cars look like and here one is! Bryan managed to catch up the the man behind the wheel later on, and apparently there are about 10 cars driving around the entire country all the time and utilize multiple laptops in the car in order to do their job. What a cool sighting! Thanks for sharing Bryan! And yes..we do call our CEO by his first name..because he’s just cool like that.Google Car

Manufacturer of the Year

CaptureContact: Anne Shadis Marking Industry Magazine 630/832-5200
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2010
Holmes Stamp & Sign Named Platinum Manufacturer of the Year
Local Company Increases Sales 18 Percent

Marking Industry Magazine, the only national trade publication targeted to the marking devices industry, announces that Holmes Stamp & Sign of Jacksonville, Florida has been named the 2010 Platinum Manufacturer of the Year, after posting an 18 percent increase in sales.

In 1998, Holmes Stamp & Sign owner Bryan Croft started in the family business after graduating from the University of North Florida with a marketing degree and a head full of ideas about how to improve his family’s already successful business.

Even during this recession, Holmes Stamp & Sign has thrived and expanded through internal growth and strategic acquisitions. Croft and vice president Steve Fernandez continually make decisions about which technologies will enable them to increase efficiencies and improve their customers’ experience. By integrating cutting edge technologies, including a focus on web based customers and manufacturing improvements, Holmes Stamp & Sign stays focused on its goal of providing the best customer service at competitive pricing.

Another key to the success and expansion of Holmes Stamp & Sign has been the steadfast commitment to diversifying the product line. By doing so, Holmes Stamp & Sign can better serve their existing customers and attract new customers. They have continued to manufacture core products such as rubber stamps, office name plates, name tagsand engraved signs, while adding items to the product line such as full color banners, promotional products, acrylic awards and plaques. This wide range of products allows Holmes Stamp & Sign to meet more of its customers’ marketing needs.

This growth-oriented philosophy has been the driving force behind Croft’s attempt to adapt the company’s 57 year old policies and procedures to its growing customer base. “When I started at Holmes Stamp & Sign all of our customers were local”. By strategically positioning ourselves within the expanding internet market, and taking advantage of the improvements in technology, we have been able to expand our footprint not only nationwide, but across the globe.” Croft states. “What separates us is service,” Croft says. “Can you get the customer their order on time and at a fair price? Service is a top priority, and we continue to work with different standard operating procedures and LEAN processes to improve.” By doing so, Croft and Fernandez expect to be able to continue to position Holmes Stamp & Sign for continued success for the next 50 years and beyond. 

Holmes Stamp & Sign 2021-5 St. Augustine Rd. E. Jacksonville, FL 32207 904/396-2291 Fax: 904/396-2336 Web: www.holmesstamp.com

The Platinum Manufacturer of the Year is chosen from among Marking Industry Magazine’s largest subscribing manufacturers. Winners are selected solely on the percentage increase in sales growth. Marking Industry Magazine, the only national publication for the marking devices industry, is targeted to manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of rubber stamps, engraved products and other marking devices. It features up-to-date information about products, trends and trade shows. It is headquartered at 136 W. Vallette, Suite 6, Elmhurst, IL 60126-4377; 630/832-5200; Fax: 630/832-5206; E-mail: info@markingdevices.com; Web: www.markingdevices.com.