Our Company Story

Our company story is simple and modest with a little idea that was formulating in front of my eyes. Before I could realize that we were on too someting spectacular we were almost caught off guard.

I grew up in Southern California and at the age of 15, started working after school and on weekends at my father’s company that he owned and operated. I watched carefully and learned the essentials to running a successful business. Importantly, in my opinion, I learned that every person, whether a customer or not, deserved honesty, integrity and most of all, excellent service. I was taught to treat everyone fair and with due consideration, assume nothing, ask questions, listen to the answers, seek to understand and provide a solution. In 1988, with some very solid experience under my belt, I began supervising the development of our real estate brochure box department. At that time, only a small percentage of realtors utilized brochure boxes in their presentation. After 7 years of this ideal training period, I recognized that a unique industry was developing: real estate boxes and Flyer stands. These items were being requested on a more frequent basis and in large quantities all over U.S.A.

Being driven to own my own business and anxious to explore the opportunity that had presented itself, SMS was born in 1995. From a tiny office, with negative cash flow, I began calling potential customers on a daily basis to tell them I was in business and willing to meet their needs. I knew from the beginning I wanted to create a company that was easy to do business with. Customers started to recognize my attention to detail, quality of service, and product knowledge.

With the limited number of products that we offered, I realized that we needed to expand our product line. Our sole concentration until 2000 was our acrylic brochure boxes and flyer stands. With the goal to expand the company, steel sign frames, standard silk screened signage and the highest level of customer service was a complimentary addition to the product line that we had established; it took off like gangbusters! These additions created a temporary problem-our systems weren’t sufficient to handle the increase in order processing and fulfillment. Immediately setting about to correct that situation, we made the necessary and appropriate advancements in our technology and our policies. Doing so enabled us to move forward with confidence and excellence, holding true to the philosophy of customer service with which we began SMS: "Treat people with respect, pay close attention to their requests and give them complete satisfaction and confidence in a timely and friendly manner.” We are committed to this code, realizing that not only has it allowed us to grow healthier but that it is key to further growth while keeping this business competitive and challenged.

Today at SMS, our goal remains: “Supply quality products that make our customer unique from their competition”.