Local full-service graphics shop offers so much more than signs

Monroe County-Relationships mean a lot to Jane Kolmer, owner of Action Graphics and Signs, Inc. A life-long resident of Monroe County, Kolmer believes building great relationships with customers is essential to the foundation of her business, and as Action Graphics approaches their 18th anniversary, it’s difficult to dispute her theory.

When asked why she chose to open Action Graphics and Signs, Inc. in Monroe County, Kolmer jokes that it’s just because she a was born and raised in the county, and in truth, it was just a “given”.

“The people here really appreciate quality, and are interested building relationships, she explained. “We’re all about relationships here. Our customers become our friends, and their successes are our successes.”

While Kolmer has strong support from local clients, her relationship building doesn’t stop at the Monroe County line. “We have shipped our products all over the world,” Kolmer said. Action Graphics and Signs has clients in countries such as Costa Rica, England, Canada, and Mexico as well as large clients on the west coast.

Despite a national and international client roster, Kolmer’s heart is in Monroe County where she began her business as a part-time venture while she worked as an insurance executive.
Kolmer started operating Action graphics in her basement, expanded into a barn on their farm and after one more move landed at 8802 Summer Road, half way between Waterloo and Columbia off of IL Route 3. The company has been at its current location for nine years.

“The most common misconception is that we only make signs. In fact, the business is a full-service graphics shop, which means anything you can put your name on, we can make,” said Kolmer.

In addition to signs, banners and vehicle graphics, Action Graphics, offers graphic design work, logo design, brochures, business cards, general printing and copy services, photo enlargements/enhancements, corporate apparel/gifts, team uniforms and spirit apparel. Promotional products are also available such as coolie cups, pens, pencils, hats, Frisbees, etc…

“We have over almost a million promotional products on our website. In 2009, we added trophies, awards, custom rhinestone apparel, as well as a full line of wedding invitations and accessories, such as champagne glasses, candles and guest books.”

After January 1, Kolmer will offer rhinestone apparel for all the local schools, including Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer, Gibault and Red Bud. Kolmer said the rhinestone school spirit apparel will give women and girls a pretty and more feminine way to express their team spirit.

Proof that Monroe County is and always will be home to Kolmer and her company is the fact that she was the originator and driving force behind the Think Monroe County First Program, an educational campaign to support local economic development. The program encourages local citizens to shop and spend locally and was officially launched in November of 2008.

Kolmer, who is Vice-Chairman of the Monroe County Economic Development Council, felt the county needed a program to support existing Monroe County businesses and to educate the local consumers about the benefits of spending first in their home county. For more information on the Think Monroe County First program, visit www.thinkmonroecountyfirst.com.

“As a business owner, it was often frustrating to see residents going outside of the community for goods and services that they could get here in Monroe County. People from all over the country are buying goods and services from Monroe County businesses because of high quality standards and strong work ethics; while people who live in the county sometimes think they have to go out of the county to get it cheaper, faster and better,” said Kolmer. “It’s an interesting phenomenon.”

“Yet it has always been local business community that is called upon to support local charities and events. Every local business wants to contribute toward the local organizations and the local economy, and the more citizens support local businesses, the more local businesses can do for the community. It’s a tremendous return on investment that citizens do not get when they spend outside of the community –it just makes sense.”

Kolmer donated the November Think Monroe County Super Consumer prize. Each month, local consumer can enter to win a prize valued at $100 or more when they make a purchase at a participating TMCF business.

In addition to the Monroe County Economic Development Council, Kolmer is also a member of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Monroe County Republicans, Human Support Service Board of Directors, CROWN-Columbia’s Resourceful Organization of Women Networking, WeDo-Women’s Economic Development Organization, and the Southern Illinois Women’s Business Owners Association.

She resides in Monroe County with her husband, Keith, and their youngest two children Sedona and JJ. They also have three grown children, Jeremy, Summer and Jeff.

Action Graphics and Signs, Inc. is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and by appointment after hours and on weekends. They are located half way between Waterloo and Columbia on IL Route 3, 8802 Summer Road, Columbia.

You can reach Action Graphics and Signs, Inc. at 618-939-5755, action@htc.net or visit www.actiong.com for Promotional Products or www.actiong.cceasy.com for wedding and corporate greetings. Action Graphics and Signs, Inc. can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.