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Seeking Operating Partner for New $5M Industrial Signage Hub (High-Tech / High-Volume)

Signs2026

New Member
I'm planning to purchase a new, heavy-duty dimensional signage and architectural fabrication facility. The building will be approximately $5M and used as a dedicated manufacturing space, and I'll be deploying $1M+ in new industrial-grade CNC, Fiber Laser, and automated channel letter lines.

This won't be a "mom and pop" vinyl shop. This will be a high-volume, tech-forward hub designed for regional fulfillment, architectural contracts, and wholesale production.

The Role:

I am the capital partner. I’ve handled the real estate, the financing, and the heavy lifting on the initial setup. I am looking for a "Shop Alpha"—a true Operating Partner—to take the wheel in Year 2 (early 2027).

I need someone who lives and breathes fabrication workflows but is tired of working for a boss who won't invest in the right gear. You will have 100% autonomy over production, staffing, and shop-floor culture.

What You Bring:

Deep Technical Chops: You know your way around a MultiCam or Laguna CNC, you understand fiber laser maintenance, and you can lead a team through UL-certified electrical assembly.

Workflow Mastery: You can take a complex architectural bid and map out the most efficient path from CAD to crate.

The Hunger: You’ve likely managed a large regional shop or a high-volume franchise and are ready for an equity-stake "skin in the game" position.

What’s on the Table:

Competitive Base Salary.

Equity/Profit Participation: A structured path to meaningful ownership/profit-sharing based on EBITDA targets.

The Best Toys: You’ll be running a brand-new fleet of the fastest machines on the market in a pristine facility.

I am moving to a passive role in Year 2 to focus on other ventures. I need a partner, not an employee. If you’re looking for a 9-to-5 where you just "mind the machines," this isn’t it. If you want to build a regional powerhouse with the best backing in the industry, let’s talk.

Interested?

Drop me a DM with a brief rundown of your background and the biggest project you’ve ever managed from start to finish. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential
 

Smoke_Jaguar

Man who touches printers inappropriately.
So, no mention of region/state asides from your profile saying you're from USA, no actual numbers for salary and a pretty generic plan from a brand-new account. Could be interesting, but not much to work with. The balance of cash also seems a bit weird for me, but I am not on the investment/real estate side of things. Honestly makes more sense to setup in a leased space than to go with a built-to-spec space that costs 5x as much as your machinery/shop budget. $1M will get you a lot, sure, but not sure if you could justify the footprint that big if setting up in a place where building space is cheap. I guess if you're planning a small 5ksqft industrial space somewhere in a big expensive city, it could be a pretty impressive build-out.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Signs2026

New Member
So, no mention of region/state asides from your profile saying you're from USA, no actual numbers for salary and a pretty generic plan from a brand-new account. Could be interesting, but not much to work with. The balance of cash also seems a bit weird for me, but I am not on the investment/real estate side of things. Honestly makes more sense to setup in a leased space than to go with a built-to-spec space that costs 5x as much as your machinery/shop budget. $1M will get you a lot, sure, but not sure if you could justify the footprint that big if setting up in a place where building space is cheap. I guess if you're planning a small 5ksqft industrial space somewhere in a big expensive city, it could be a pretty impressive build-out.
Looking to purchase or possibly build the property. Why? Research Qualified Production Property / Section 179.
 

Smoke_Jaguar

Man who touches printers inappropriately.
Ahh, tax weirdness there, not my wheelhouse. Have you dialed in on what production level you want to aim for? Just printing can be a $120K hit for that equipment, benders and that are low to mid five-figure, having a bit of lead for payroll will eat up quite a bit as well. Is the goal to run locally? Signs are big, so nationwide supply gets expensive. Local benefits from installers, whether working with existing installers, or starting fresh means some expensive gear as well. A million bucks for a new business is like getting a fresh hundred-dollar bill in your wallet. The first hit and you get a few twenties to play with, and before you know it, you're down to singles.

Any particular state/city/territory/region you're aiming for?

Also, don't take this is me being negative, I'm quite curious. I am a tech guy, the business side is all voodoo to me. I help shops spec machines, keep them running, stuff like that. Strong background in automation, workflow and all that jazz.
 
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chester215

Just call me Chester.
Lots-o-money to spend but not a Premium/ Merchant member.
Something you might want to look into if you are going to advertise for an open position.
 

Smoke_Jaguar

Man who touches printers inappropriately.
No mention of location, so sounds like a gig where a moving is required. I wonder if it's Houston, nobody wants to live in Houston.
 

damonCA21

Active Member
I'll do if for you. To totally run your business for you I would expect a base salary of $250K plus profit share.
p.s. does anyone actually 'live and breathe fabrication workflows'?
 
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Reactions: 1 users

Smoke_Jaguar

Man who touches printers inappropriately.
I'll do if for you. To totally run your business for you I would expect a base salary of $250K plus profit share.
p.s. does anyone actually 'live and breathe fabrication workflows'?
Yup, it's called autism, I have it bad. I think I caught it from a toilet seat or pay phone when I was young.
 
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Gino

Premium Subscriber
So, no pay for a partner, if your plan falls through or is light on jobs.

I see this as opening a pancake house and you haven't a clue of how to make pancakes. Is this simply a tax shelter to create a loss ??

Other venues............... what a crock
 
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Reactions: 1 users

netsol

Premium Subscriber
So, no pay for a partner, if your plan falls through or is light on jobs.

I see this as opening a pancake house and you haven't a clue of how to make pancakes. Is this simply a tax shelter to create a loss ??

Other venues............... what a crock
yes, gino, there is NO PROTECTION FOR AN EQUITY PARTNER
 

netsol

Premium Subscriber
So, no mention of region/state asides from your profile saying you're from USA, no actual numbers for salary and a pretty generic plan from a brand-new account. Could be interesting, but not much to work with. The balance of cash also seems a bit weird for me, but I am not on the investment/real estate side of things. Honestly makes more sense to setup in a leased space than to go with a built-to-spec space that costs 5x as much as your machinery/shop budget. $1M will get you a lot, sure, but not sure if you could justify the footprint that big if setting up in a place where building space is cheap. I guess if you're planning a small 5ksqft industrial space somewhere in a big expensive city, it could be a pretty impressive build-out.
he's probably planning on having tennants occupy quite a bit of that $5M building, until the company grows into it.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Smoke_Jaguar

Man who touches printers inappropriately.
I figure for a venture like this, would make more sense to just buy out an existing shop. But I guess taxes and all that weirdness.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 users

netsol

Premium Subscriber
The thing with the real estate purchase, he can buy a $5M building butting down less than 20%.
he can “harvest” the increase in value going forward by refinancing.
 

GAC05

Quit buggin' me
If this guy can get a work visa, he could be the one.
ab6772ab000015be2f52933f6c2c094d566db218
 
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Stacey K

I like making signs
So, no pay for a partner, if your plan falls through or is light on jobs.

I see this as opening a pancake house and you haven't a clue of how to make pancakes. Is this simply a tax shelter to create a loss ??

Other venues............... what a crock
EXACTLY what I was thinking. Tax shelter to create a loss, great idea if the partner can be in on the loss.
 
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Reactions: 1 user
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