Coastal Designs makes all types of signs for boats and businesses
Fawn Deihl and Christine Rogers started their business just over a year ago, almost by accident.
“My father owns Jett's Marine. He had purchased equipment to make vinyl boat numbers, but thought someone should use it to do more,” Fawn said.
So the two friends from Reedville formed Coastal Designs, Inc., a company that makes signs for individuals as well as businesses. One of their first jobs was to provide the lettering on an oil truck for R.P. Waller, but most of the time boat owners hire them to apply names to their craft.
“We've done everything from jet skis to a Tangier Island cruise boat,” Christine said.
Coastal Designs also provides magnetic signs for vehicles, business signs, banners and real estate signs. Fawn and Christine both say the experience has been a good one so far, especially since both women have young children, and it's a business they can do from home.
“Sometimes customers are a little surprised, though, when we show up with five kids,” Christine said.
When a boat owner hires Coastal Designs to produce a boat name, Fawn and Christine make a visit to the site to measure the space where the name is to be applied. They consult with the owner about preferred fonts, whether any logos will be used, and what colors will be employed.
Next, they produce the design on a computer, and output it to a vinyl-cutting machine. Finally, they return to the site and carefully apply the lettering to the boat. Despite being a relatively new business, Fawn and Christine stay busy.
“We benefit from a lot of good word-of-mouth publicity. A lot of our work has come that way,” Fawn said.
Of course, advertising doesn't hurt either. So if you need Costal Design's services, tell them you read about them in the Buyers Guide! You can reach them at 453-6083.
