Fastsigns: Celebrating 25 Years with the Chamber!
Fastsigns is a worldwide franchise specializing in the graphic design, manufacturing, and installation of custom signs for any occasion. Their slogan, “More than fast. More than signs,” perfectly represents its Staten Island location, which pours heart and soul into every job they are given. Co-owners Richard Vezzuto and Kurt Kracsun take immense pride in their work and love servicing the Staten Island community with unique and high-quality products.
Fastsign’s Staten Island location, based on Victory Boulevard, opened in 1997 as the first branch of Fastsigns in New York City. In addition to being the first Fastsigns owner in the five boroughs, Vezzuto was also one of the youngest owners in the franchise. However, supporting an entire print shop by himself proved to be incredibly difficult, as Vezzuto personally oversaw all the work that the shop produced. As if by fate, a vendor introduced Vezzuto to Kurt Kracsun, who at the time was the owner of The Design Shop on Port Richmond Avenue, and the two bonded immediately.
“At first we did wholesale work back and forth with each other; he had equipment that I needed, and I had equipment that he needed,” says Kracsun of their initial relationship. “That’s how we began the communication process, and then we started to discover that we had the same struggles, desires, and principles. We eventually said, ‘We should’ve done this together,’ and here we are, 21 years later.”
Vezzuto and Kracsun merged in January of 2001, taking the Fastsigns name and keeping their place in the franchise. The transition to business partners was seamless for Vezzuto and Kracsun, who work together exceptionally well and have become good friends over the years.
Originally housed on Forest Avenue, Fastsigns moved to Victory Boulevard in 2017 to meet the demand for a larger space, more machinery, and a wider client base. The move doubled Fastsigns’ square footage and allowed them to bring in bigger and more innovative equipment. The new machinery was a saving grace for Fastsigns in March of 2020, when businesses started to update their signage as the CDC released information on COVID-19. “Our whole business dramatically changed during that time, and we were made essential immediately,” says Kracsun. “Our phones were ringing off the hook with inquiries every day, but only Kurt and I were allowed to work,” adds Vezzuto. “Remember those graduation signs that push into the ground? We did about 15,000 of those, and we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without all of our updated machinery.”
Vezzuto recognized early on that being a part of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce would not only elevate Fastsigns’ status on Staten Island but also create a built-in network where the business could establish their name within the community. Prior to Vezzuto opening on Staten Island, Fastsigns was an unfamiliar name throughout New York City and the borough. “The Chamber was the perfect organization for us to join because we make signs for businesses, and businesses are the fabric of the Chamber,” says Vezzuto, who became a member shortly after opening the shop in 1997. “Every business should be a part of the Chamber, especially new businesses. Having that resource to ask questions and gather information is invaluable.” The Chamber gave Fastsigns the opportunity to meet, form relationships with, and eventually develop signage for fellow Chamber members, in addition to utilizing all of the business help that the Chamber can give.
Welcome signage produced by Fastsigns in the office of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
Fastsigns is quick, dependable, and always delivers exceptional products, which is exactly why Fastsigns was entrusted with the opportunity to create the Chamber’s beautiful indoor welcome signage for our new office on Richmond Avenue. Fastsigns and the Chamber are constantly collaborating, supporting each other, and sharing new business ideas.
“As you grow within the Chamber, you learn about all the services the Chamber offers. The Chamber even interviewed employees for us, which was a tremendous help to us owners because we’re always being pulled in a million different directions,” says Vezzuto. “The mixers that the Chamber hosts are also a great way to get yourself out there and meet other businesspeople,” adds Kracsun. “We always try to take advantage of those when we can. The Chamber is the perfect fit for us.”