W. I.S.E. Austin event attendees at FSG sign shop.
W.I.S.E.奥斯汀活动与会者在FSG标识店。
The recent W.I.S.E. event held in Austin, Texas this past October proved to be a great time for the women in the sign industry who attended. I couldn’t be more proud of this inaugural event I put together with the help of other sign shops.
去年10月，在得克萨斯州奥斯汀举行的W.I.S.E.活动被证明是标识行业女性的大好时机。我为自己在其他招牌店的帮助下举办的首届活动感到无比自豪。
Before proceeding with a recap of this W.I.S.E. event, I’d like to give you a little background information about our group and its origins.
在回顾这次W.I.S.E.活动之前，我想给你一点关于我们团体及其起源的背景信息。
One evening in 2020, I began searching social media platforms for a ladies-only network focused on signage. I found nothing!
2020年的一个晚上，我开始在社交媒体平台上搜索一个专注于标牌的女性专用网络。我什么也没发现！
With the help of Google, I came across a Women Leading the Industry (WLI) event held each year at ISA Sign Expo and quickly joined the initiative’s LinkedIn page.
在谷歌的帮助下，我在ISA Sign Expo上看到了每年举办的女性引领行业（WLI）活动，并很快加入了该倡议的LinkedIn页面。
Still the lack of a social media network specifically by and for women in the sign industry gnawed at me to the point where I was driven to create one.
尽管如此，缺乏一个专门为标识行业女性打造的社交媒体网络，这让我很痛苦，以至于我不得不创建一个。
I knew from the events I had attended, my daily work interactions, and my correspondence with others that there were a multitude of women who had plenty to share with and learn from each other. These women in signs were well-informed strategists engineering many aspects of the sign industry.
从我参加的活动、我的日常工作互动以及我与他人的通信中，我知道有很多女性可以相互分享和学习。这些从事标识行业的女性都是见多识广的战略家，在标识行业的许多方面进行工程设计。
W.I.S.E. attendees tour FSG.
W.I.S.E.与会者参观FSG。
Finally I created a quick Facebook page and asked a new hire team member to create a basic logo. I noticed the acronym “WIS” began popping off the page. Considering we are leaders in small and large companies, designers, sales, project managers, production team members, installers, fabricators, and painters—we are more than just women in signs. We are Women In Signs, Etcetera. We are W.I.S.E.!
最后，我创建了一个快速的Facebook页面，并请一名新员工创建一个基本的标识。我注意到缩写词“WIS”开始从页面上弹出。考虑到我们是中小公司、设计师、销售人员、项目经理、生产团队成员、安装人员、制造商和油漆工的领导者，我们不仅仅是招牌上的女性。我们是有迹象的女人，等等。我们是W.I.S.E。！
We have been interacting on this thriving social network for over two years now. It was time to go public for our first-ever W.I.S.E. event in the great city of Austin.
两年多来，我们一直在这个蓬勃发展的社交网络上互动。是时候在奥斯汀这座伟大的城市公开我们的第一次W.I.S.E.活动了。
Plans were executed, hotels were booked, and flights were scheduled. The Screen Actors Guild may have been on strike at the time, but we would have our own Lights, Cameras, and Action during this W.I.S.E. event!
计划得到执行，酒店被预订，航班也被安排。演员工会当时可能正在罢工，但在这次W.I.S.E.活动中，我们会有自己的灯光、相机和动作！
Our itinerary/agenda was filled with two full days of connecting, learning, and experiencing our craft through touring two local signage facilities.
我们的行程/议程充满了整整两天的沟通、学习和体验，通过参观两个当地的标牌设施。
Glantz and Yorston & Associates collaborated to make certain the ladies had 100 percent hands-on experience our members wouldn’t forget.
Glantz和Yorston&Associates合作，确保女士们拥有100%的亲身体验，我们的会员不会忘记。
The SignComp Challenge.
SignComp挑战。
Colleen Esakson, Key Account and Sales Trainer at SignComp, began by leading the demonstration and training of all things SignComp and raceway material.
SignComp的主要客户和销售培训师Colleen Esakson首先领导了SignComp和跑道材料的演示和培训。
Joe Lupton then lit up the room with Principal Sloan LED training. He addressed the importance of not being afraid to connect LEDs to the latest iPad software to run an entire lighting layout.
乔·卢普顿随后用斯隆校长的LED训练点亮了房间。他谈到了不怕将LED连接到最新的iPad软件来运行整个照明布局的重要性。
The first local sign shop scheduled on our tour was Ion Art, founded in 1986 by Greg and Sharon Keshishian. They provide custom neon, art, signage, sculptures, and more.
我们参观的第一家当地招牌店是Ion Art，由Greg和Sharon Keshishian于1986年创立。他们提供定制霓虹灯、艺术、标牌、雕塑等。
The word “wow” doesn’t even express the amazing work they create. Each team member possesses a skill and talent to produce unique, unfathomable neon and custom signage that must be seen to be believed.
“哇”这个词甚至不能表达他们创造的惊人作品。每个团队成员都拥有制作独特、深不可测的霓虹灯和定制标牌的技能和天赋，这些标牌必须让人相信。
Kris Wu (left) and Sharon Keshisian of Ion Art.
吴（左）与离子艺术沙龙。
During the tour, we met the Ion Art design, fabrication, design, and paint departments. The collaboration and synergy this team has is infectious.
参观期间，我们会见了Ion Art的设计、制造、设计和油漆部门。这个团队的协作和协同作用具有感染力。
Enjoying the morning with Sharon and COO Kris Wu, one couldn’t help but be inspired, and I spoke with them about this industry.
与Sharon和首席运营官Kris Wu一起度过了一个愉快的早晨，我忍不住受到了启发，并与他们谈论行业话题。
What is one major decision that helped your company grow the most?
对贵公司发展帮助最大的一个重大决策是什么？
Sharon: “I can’t say one major thing stood out except ‘luck.’ Ion Art landed the first Whole Foods® job in the country. They took that opportunity to showcase and grow.
Sharon：“除了‘运气’，我不能说有什么特别的事情。Ion Art在这个国家找到了第一份Whole Foods®的工作。他们抓住这个机会展示和成长。”。
“Also who are you competing with? I value art quality like Germany and Italy. Yes other countries can do the same thing—but cheap and fast. Who do you want to be?”
“还有你在和谁竞争？我像德国和意大利一样重视艺术质量。是的，其他国家也可以做同样的事情——但又便宜又快。你想成为谁？”
What is your daily tip for success?
你每天的成功秘诀是什么？
Sharon: “Don’t hire grumps.”
莎伦：“不要雇佣脾气暴躁的人。”
Kris: “Stay adaptable and allow for change yet be grateful and flexible.”
克里斯：“保持适应性，允许改变，但要心存感激，灵活应变。”
Sharon: “[Have] tenacity [and] stick it out. There were times I didn’t know how we would pay employees or vendors.
莎伦：“（有）坚韧[并]坚持下去。有时我不知道我们将如何支付员工或供应商的工资。”。
“Others would tell me to go get a real job; art can’t pay the bills. But I never gave up. Do what you love!”
“其他人会告诉我去找一份真正的工作；艺术无法支付账单。但我从未放弃。做你喜欢的事！”
It was a somber, almost sad moment when we were leaving this first-class sign company, as we were all wanting to see so much more. The next time you are in Austin, be sure to look up Ion Art. Tell them Wendy sent you and thank me later.
当我们离开这家一流的标识公司时，那是一个悲伤的时刻，因为我们都想看到更多。下次你在奥斯汀时，一定要查一下Ion Art。告诉他们Wendy派你来的，稍后谢谢我。
The Sign Bar in Austin, TX hosted the evening event.
德克萨斯州奥斯汀的招牌酒吧举办了当晚的活动。
We ended the first day with roundtable discussions, fueled with excitement for new processes and ideas. Ultimately the ladies were looking forward to a great evening sponsored by Principal Sloan at an amazing new hot spot, the Sign Bar.
第一天，我们以圆桌讨论结束，对新的流程和想法充满了兴奋。最终，女士们期待着斯隆校长在一个令人惊叹的新热点——招牌酒吧举办一个盛大的晚会。
Personally I felt so relieved. I was hearing friendships being made and common struggles and situations being discussed. The sappy person in me shed a tear of joy. It was all coming together.
就我个人而言，我感到如释重负。我听到人们建立友谊，讨论共同的斗争和处境。我内心那个多愁善感的人流下了喜悦的泪水。
Day two commenced at the signage company FSG. Founded in 1982, FSG now has over 2,000 employees—including its lighting division, a new ADA signage division, electrical contractors, signage professionals, and more. They are, “Around the Nation, Around the Corner.”
第二天在标识公司FSG开始。FSG成立于1982年，目前拥有2000多名员工，包括其照明部门、新的ADA标牌部门、电气承包商、标牌专业人员等。他们分部在在全国各地。
FSG also pays attention to a high level of detail making creative custom signs. As we walked through their Austin facility (an area of 55,000 square feet), I found similarities to my own sign company—never enough space, processes that I recognized, projects ready to go make a difference for a company’s marketing, etc.
FSG还注重高水平的细节制作创意定制标识。当我们走过他们位于奥斯汀的工厂（面积55000平方英尺）时，我发现了与我自己的标识公司的相似之处——从来没有足够的空间、我认可的流程、准备好的项目对公司的营销产生影响等等。
Michele Palbick and Connie Hernandez of FSG.
FSG的米歇尔·帕尔比克和康妮·埃尔南德斯。
I had the pleasure to meet and chat with two of their women managers, Connie Hernandez and Michele Palbick.
我很高兴与他们的两位女经理康妮·埃尔南德斯和米歇尔·帕尔比克会面并交谈。
What brought you to the sign industry?
是什么把你带到了标牌行业？
Michele: “I started self-taught in my family business. Then once you’re in, you’re addicted. There’s excitement of seeing the outcome and watching the build and a great amount of pride in helping clients.”
米歇尔：“我开始在家族企业自学成才。一旦你加入，你就会上瘾。看到结果和构建过程会让人兴奋不已，并为帮助客户而感到无比自豪。”
Connie: “I used to manage a 7-11 store, [so] I always knew about signs and the variety that the industry offered.”
Connie：“我曾经管理过一家7-11商店，所以我一直知道这个行业提供的标识和种类。”
What tips can you offer that keep you on track for success?
你能提供哪些技巧让你走上成功的道路？
Michele: “Focus on personal relationships with clients that will turn into repeat customers and referrals. Do what you say and don’t be afraid to guide them when needed. Education on products is important.”
米歇尔：“专注于与客户的个人关系，这些关系会变成回头客和推荐人。说到做到，在需要时不要害怕指导他们。产品教育很重要。”
Connie: “I use Excel to keep projects on track internally with staff and clients. I also make sure to encourage our team members and schedule weekly check-in meetings.”
Connie：“我使用Excel在内部与员工和客户保持项目进度。我还确保鼓励我们的团队成员，并安排每周的报到会议。”
An information session followed the tour. SignComp’s Colleen Esakson dove into teaching everyone some pointers to consider when ordering raceways and how to utilize the SignComp book without fear.
参观结束后举行了一次情况介绍会。SignComp的Colleen Esakson开始教每个人在订购赛道时要考虑的一些要点，以及如何无所畏惧地使用SignComp书籍。
This presentation encouraged each lady to participate in a “#SignCompIt” challenge, a head-to-head timed competition. We found some impressive times.
这次演讲鼓励每位女士参加“SignCompIt”挑战赛，这是一场面对面的计时比赛。我们发现了一些令人印象深刻的时刻。
In the end, knowledge was the real winner, accompanied by a lot of good cheering with laughter.
最后，知识才是真正的赢家，伴随而来的是一片欢声笑语。
X. I.S.E. attendees enjoy themselves at the Sign Bar.
W.I.S.E.与会者在标识栏玩得很开心。
We wrapped up the first W.I.S.E. event with some giveaways and open discussions about inspiring your team, landing unique clients, and setting yourself up for growth.
我们以一些赠品和公开讨论结束了第一届W.I.S.E.活动，这些赠品和讨论旨在激励您的团队，获得独特的客户，并为自己的成长做好准备。
Attendee Stacey Gagne won the prize for the longest distance traveled (an epic car ride from Canada). She started her career thirteen years ago looking for a local graphic design position and ended up loving how unique and ever changing the sign industry was—eventually advancing to a few different positions in it.
与会者Stacey Gagne获得了最长行程奖（从加拿大出发的史诗般的汽车之旅）。13年前，她开始了自己的职业生涯，寻找一个当地的平面设计职位，最终爱上了标识行业的独特性和不断变化——最终晋升到了几个不同的职位。
“Meet as many people as you can and never stop learning from them,” Stacey told me. “Constantly educating yourself is what will lead to your personal growth.”
斯泰西告诉我：“尽可能多地与人见面，永远不要停止向他们学习。不断地教育自己会促进你的个人成长。
”
We closed this initial W.I.S.E. event with a quick discussion on the book Peaks and Valleys—a thin yet powerful little read on the flow of life and business.
我们以对《峰与谷》一书的快速讨论结束了这场最初的W.I.S.E.活动，这本书是关于生活和商业流动的一本薄薄但却很有影响力的小读物。
“You change your valley into a peak when you find and use the good that is hidden in the bad time.”
当你发现并利用隐藏在糟糕时刻的好东西时，你会把你的山谷变成顶峰。
Both quotes made me pause. I hope that the time away from the daily sign grind allowed the attendees to do just that.
这两句话都让我停了下来。我希望离开每天的招牌工作的时间能让与会者做到这一点。
W. I.S.E. event attendees at Ion Art.
Ion Art的W.I.S.E.活动参与者。
Since Thursday morning’s arrival, the ladies wore name tags that read, “I am WISE, I am ____.” In our final group setting, we were all tasked with finishing that sentence. We couldn’t say “Mom,” “Wife,” or the traditional titles.
自从星期四早上到达后，女士们都戴着名牌，上面写着：“我是WISE，我是____。”在我们最后的小组设置中，我们都被要求完成这句话。我们不能说“妈妈”、“妻子”或传统的称呼。
It was awe-inspiring hearing women share such powerful words and a full circle to why the group had even started. For me, it was a full circle to why the group even started.
听到女性分享如此有力的话语，并围绕着这个团体成立的原因，真是令人敬畏。对我来说，这是一个完整的循环，为什么小组甚至开始。
We are more than moms, wives, friends, sisters, and more. Each day, we bring value to everything we do. Never forget who you are. I am WISE; I am BOLD.
我们不仅仅是母亲、妻子、朋友、姐妹等等。每一天，我们都为我们所做的每一件事带来价值。永远不要忘记你是谁。我很明智；我很大胆。
Wendy Graves is president of InSIGNia Wholesale.
温迪·格雷夫斯是徽章批发公司的总裁。
