1/15/2008 10:00:00 AM Berscheid learning perks as young business owner
HERALD PHOTO BY ERIC EVESLAGE
Twenty-three-year-old Robb Berscheid started up his own business, Everything Signs, in August. He is following in the footsteps of his parents and older brother, who are also entrepreneurs.
Everything Signs in Holdingford provided the wrap for the “Live Lightly Tour” RV, which travels across the country teaching people how to live simply and without waste. The RV was converted to run on vegetable oil, and fuels up at restaurants while on the road.
By Eric Eveslage
Holdingford--Robb Berscheid may only be 23 years old, but he's already a business owner making a name for himself in his craft.
The 2003 Holdingford and 2007 St. Cloud State grad started Everything Signs, a business that makes signs, banners, wraps and decals for just about anything you can imagine, just three months after graduating from college in May. Like most first time business owners, Berscheid is growing his business slowly, testing the waters as he goes along. But he's already worked on one project that is garnering some national attention.
He produced and installed a complete vehicle wrap for a vegetable oil-powered RV owned by Matt and Sara Janssen, formerly of Brainerd, who drive around the country with their three-year-old daughter Bella teaching people about the benefits of living simply, fueling up on restaurants' used veggie oil along the way.
The Janssen's sold their home and many of their possessions and live off of their "Live Lightly Tour" sponsors and donations. They have been featured across the country in magazines, newspapers and television newscasts for their efforts to teach people how to live sustainable lifestyles without excess waste.
Robb met the Janssens at a wakeboarding camp in Motley this summer, where he learned of their mission. He had just opened the doors to his new business and was looking for experience, so he offered to wrap their RV, which has amenities like countertops made of crushed sunflowers seeds, bamboo floors and environmentally friendly paint, at cost.
"We just got to talking, and they mentioned they wanted a wrap for their RV," said Berscheid, son of Tim and Sharon Berscheid. "I told them I was getting into the business, and about a month later they called me and we got it done."
Berscheid said he was excited to tackle such a big job right after starting his new career, even though wrapping an entire 34-foot RV can be a daunting task.
"We were kind of working with a time crunch," he said, adding that the job needed to be done in just three days. "I put in about 40 hours and a few long nights to get it done, but it was definitely a learning experience."
If Berscheid ever needs advice about running his own business, he doesn't have far to look. His parents were the owners of Berscheid Lumber in Holdingford before selling and developing real estate property. His older brother Eric owns Berkon Industries, which makes docks and fish house equipment. Robb interned with his brother's business designing parts during college, and Everything Signs is actually run out of the Berkon building, located on Industrial Drive on the south end of town.
"My dad has told me that you always have to be a hard worker to be successful. Success will only happen if you put in the time and effort. My brother has shown me that pursuing smaller jobs doesn't always pay off right away, but in the long run it typically gets your name out and gets you return business."
Berscheid, who graduated from SCSU with a degree in technical management assessment but turned down job offers in the field, said he got the idea to start a sign business at Holdingford's summer celebration.
"This summer people in town were looking for banners and things for Holdingford Daze, so I thought there might be a market for it. I looked around and decided to give it a try. Right now it's nice because when you're just starting up you're able to get things done faster with a low wait time, and you can beat the prices of a lot of bigger places."
Even though he's still learning the ropes when it comes to running his own business, Berscheid hasn't lost sight of the perks of self employment.
"You get back what you put into your work, and that helps motivate me to work even harder. There is no limit to what you can accomplish," he said, adding, "Of course, having the ability to take a few days off here and there to go hunting or fishing with my dad is also a plus."
