Tac Signs & Designs

My name is Tac Buchanan and my business is Tac Signs & Designs
I’ve worked in the sign industry for about 25 years. I actually started hand painting signs up and down 10th street when I was 16 years old. Then I decided to open my own little shop instead of working for someone else. I took on this endeavor about two years ago and it’s been a great little side hustle to help pay the bills and keep everything going while I work at my full time job.
What is your favorite part of running your own business?
It’s fulfilling to be creative, there is a very creative side of me. I went through the art institute in Dallas before I graduated high school and that’s how I got into graphic design. It’s fulfilling to create and see things around town that I’ve worked on.
What’s the hardest part of running a small business?
Knowing how to run a business. It’s amazing how many things go into it, taxes and all the papers you have to file. I never would have thought about that before, because of course I just used to work for other people and show up and make whatever project was assigned for that day. There’s a lot more that goes into managing a business, it was a real learning curve. It’s been 2 years now and I’m still on that learning curve!
How does your business get to positively impact you community.
I think it’s by contributing to quality work around town, things that will last a few years.
What tips do you have for others wanting to start a small business?
Be diligent and have patience. Talk to the SBDC. I mean I had no idea what to do but after that first meeting with the SBDC I learned how to file the sole proprietorship paperwork with the counties and lots of things I didn’t know. I had this attitude that “I just work out of my house, I have this machine, so I’m going to be able to save everyone lots of money, I can get it done cheaper” and my consultant told me “you’re selling yourself short!” After I started thinking about it more and realized he was right!
What’s a food that you could eat forever?
Mexican food! I could eat it every day.