For their new facility, they turned to Signs.com for a custom-cut vinyl wall decal for their main entrance, as well as cut vinyl lettering that they’ve used for various messaging at their studio.

Tell us about yourself:
My name is RJ Milford, and I’m the owner and founder of Peak Level Performance and The Peak Studio in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a seaside community located just south of Jacksonville.

What does your company do?
Peak Level Performance was founded as a platform for affordable fitness, no matter the person’s age or ability level. We started with our app to provide users new exciting daily workouts every week to keep them constantly challenged, whether they’re at home or at the gym. We’ve loved keeping our subscribers on their toes every week!

In 2020, we expanded with our first physical location – The Peak Studio – in Ponte Vedra. Here, we’re able to work one-on-one with our clients in our private fitness studio. Our team also travels to host fitness classes for neighborhood communities, schools, and country clubs.

Our mission is to help others live sustainable, healthy lives. We’re currently working with organizations to provide our app to their associates as an affordable fitness resource.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
Watching the health of loved ones deteriorate as they aged was an eye opener for myself and Holly Crotty, our co-owner. We wanted to create a program that was affordable, easy to do at home, and suitable for individuals of all ages. With this in mind, we founded Peak Level Performance as a mobile application providing new workouts every week to help promote an active lifestyle and healthy habits. From the mobile app, Peak grew and opened its first Peak Studio location in Ponte Vedra, Florida, to help individuals in person.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I have committed the past 10 years to developing my knowledge of the golf swing, my understanding of golf technologies, and completing certifications with the PGA, TPI, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a way to more fully comprehend how the body moves and reacts throughout the swing. I’m passionate about helping players excel at their game of golf through instruction and fitness.

No Gym Rats Here

What sets you apart from your competition?
Our coaches at The Peak Studio prioritize the comfort, health, and safety of our clients. We’re fully private and booked by appointment – we fully sanitize the space after each session, so clients can relax and enjoy working out in a clean, worry-free environment.

How do you market your business?
We utilize Google for promotions and updates. Plus, customers can follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram.

How do you “wow” your customers?
Our customers enjoy personalized service when they train with us. They won’t walk into a crowded gym and feel overwhelmed by all the “gym rats.” Instead, they work one-on-one in a private fitness studio where it’s just them and their coach.

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
Our partnership with Golf Etc. Ponte Vedra has grown our client base at The Peak Studio specifically for our Golf Fitness Training Programs. We’ve been able to train both junior and adult clients with programs that provide the flexibility, balance, and strength to excel their golf game.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you?
We focus on our “why” – what gives us our direction in life – and we give our all to our clients. We also are sure to promote the specific strengths and expertise of our coaches.

Remember the ‘Why’

What’s one of the biggest challenges you have had with your business – how did you overcome it?
One of our biggest challenges thus far was opening one week prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns. We took that time to focus on our app and to improve the service our members receive by adding new bonus workouts and streamlining the service.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
We wouldn’t change a thing! Things have been challenging at times, but looking back, we have been able to make a positive impact on so many lives. This is what drives us to keep pushing forward!

What is the one thing you would do over and over, and recommend that everyone else do as well?
Shortly after we started, we wrote out the reasons we do what we do. When things get challenging, we look back at that and remember our “why.” I would encourage others to write out their “why” so that they can come back to it when things seem blurry, or they feel there’s too much to handle.

Is there a particular book that you would recommend our community read? Why?
The Code. the Evaluation. the Protocols: Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human Being, by Jocko Willink. He writes about being purposeful with your life, making a plan for success, and staying on your path. These are all things we try to implement into fitness programs. We try to be purposeful and understand our client’s reason for wanting to change. We create a progressive fitness program for success. Finally, we work to help keep our client on their path and grow them into the person they want to be.

Just the Beginning

Can you speak to your growth to this point? Why you think it will continue?
Seeing our clients come train, progress through difficult workouts, truly put their bodies to a challenge, and leave with big smiles on their faces – this all lets us know that this is just the beginning for Peak Level Performance at The Peak Studio. We love our journey thus far and we’re very excited to see what the future holds!

Where can you be found on the internet?

On the internet at www.peaklevelperformance.com; on Facebook at beginyourclimb; on Instagram at www.instagram.com/beginyourclimb/.

Small Business Success Story: Peak Level Performance

This time around, we hear from Midnight3, a band out of Parkland, Florida, comprising three young talented sisters. Despite their modest years, the three have already had to endure the tragedy of a mass shooting and now a viral pandemic – but they have somehow managed to not only keep their spirits high but have also continued following their path of musical success.

Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the wall decal the band ordered from Signs.com. Sporting Midnight3’s designed logo, the 41 x 29-inch decal is proudly affixed to a wall in the band’s home rehearsal room.

Strengthening a Sisterly Bond

Can you tell us about the band?

Midnight3 band is a multi-genre sister trio, ages 11, 14, and 17, from Parkland, Florida. Our main genre is rock, but we also perform pop and country songs. Layla, 11 years old, is our lead singer, keyboardist, and bassist; 14-year-old Bella is our lead guitarist and background vocalist; and 17-year-old Selena is our drummer, background vocalist, and occasional guitarist. We each started taking piano lessons around age 4, then began taking lessons six years ago on our current musical instruments at Parkland International Music Academy (PIMA), where we continue to take lessons.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

One thing most people don’t know about us is our Puerto Rican heritage. Our abuelita, our mom’s mom, was born there. We visited her beautiful homeland and loved it! We know you said one thing, but we can’t leave out our grandpa, Ed Burke – he was a musician, too, and produced Big Band music. His Ed Burke Collection contains about 1,400 reel-to-reel tapes comprising hundreds of hours of live radio programs featuring virtually every musician of major importance during the Big Band Era. The collection is now housed in the Glenn Miller Archives at the University of Colorado, where our grandfather is recognized for preserving an important piece of American culture.

Where does the band perform?

Midnight3 band performs in the South Florida area. Through PIMA, we’ve played at many venues in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Miami, and Parkland. We’ve loved playing benefit concerts like Surfers for Autism and Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico. We have also performed at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and at Universal Studios in Orlando. Small venues, like coffee shops, are fun, too. Last fall, we wrote a song and recorded it for a music video for the “Cool Kidz” reality TV show; unfortunately, though, the coronavirus situation seems to have halted that project.

Where did the idea of your band come from?
In 2015, we began playing public venues as members of other bands with PIMA. However, on February 14, 2018, while Selena was in class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, she lost two friends to the mass shooting that took place that day. Bella and Layla, meanwhile, were in nearby schools and feared for the other’s safety – in fact, the shooter jumped the fence at the high school to the middle school, where Bella was. Thankfully, none of us were hurt physically, but it took some time to cope emotionally – it was family and music that helped us heal. As a result, it strengthened our bond, and less than four months later we made our public debut as Midnight3 in June of 2018.

Girls Who Rock

What sets you apart from your competition?
Three main things set us apart from other bands: First, the three of us are sisters. Second, we are only 11, 14, and 17 years old. Finally, we’re girls who rock!

How do you market the band?
Live performances have been our best marketing tool because people get to see us and hear us in person. But we also use Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to get our message out, and we’re thinking about maybe adding a TikTok account soon. Word of mouth helps, too.

How do you “wow” your fan base?
When some people hear that a band is made up of kids, they might expect to hear Disney songs or a bad recital performance. But the people who show up and stick around are always surprised – because we play everything from Metallica, Imagine Dragons, The White Stripes, and Skillet to Vance Joy, Chainsmokers, 21 Pilots, and One Republic, to Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Elvis, and Lauren Daigle. Plus, 11-year old Layla is an amazing front-woman – she bangs her head and jumps around the stage while singing, and playing bass and keyboards, all at the same time!

What are one or two strategies for gaining fans that you have been successful with?
The main way we’ve gained a fan base is by staying true to ourselves. We like a lot of different genres of music, so we don’t fit into just one box, like being just a rock band or just being a pop group. We tend to cover songs that we like instead of only focusing on songs that are trending.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you in the music industry?
Right now, we don’t compete with musicians that are bigger than us. They have the money and support of a record label, a management team, and a marketing team. Until we get to that level, we’re just going to continue to focus on what we love doing, which is playing music together.

Is there one book that you recommend our community should read? And why?
Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly, because it’s about four women who overcame adversity and became successful in their careers.

Missing the Stage

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had with your band, and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge has been the COVID-19 pandemic. As of right now, the county is in phase 2 of reopening the community – however, this means that they are opening at only 50-percent capacity. Large crowds are still being prohibited and bands are still not allowed to play. As a result, we’ve been taking it day by day, and practicing, so that that we’ll be able to perform new songs when everything returns to normal. One thing is for sure: We can’t wait to play because we sure miss the stage!

If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
We wouldn’t do anything differently. But if we had to choose, maybe it would be to start Midnight3 when we were younger to gain more experience. But honestly, we wouldn’t change a thing.

What is the one thing you would do over and over – and recommend that everyone else do, too?
Practice! Because there’s always room for improvement. Comparing a video of a song we performed two years ago to a video of the same song we played recently showed us just how much we have improved.

Can you speak to your band’s growth to this point? And why do you think it will continue?
Every time we have played at a different venue, we’ve increased our fan base. Playing live lets people see who we really are and allows us to connect with our audience. Consistency, contact, and connection have proven to be effective for us – that’s why we think it will continue.

Where can you be found on the internet?

On YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tSon-W3ebRlv6DCOP5YDA; on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/midnight3band/;and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/midnight3band/.

Small Business Success Story: Midnight3

If you’re asking what’s the difference between decals and stickers, you’re probably looking to buy one. The trick is figuring out which one is right for you. Decals and stickers are very similar. Oftentimes, they are used interchangeably. Decals, stickers, and labels are all comprised of two layers: a paper backing and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is placed on the paper backing (usually some form of wax paper or something equivalent) and the design is printed on the front of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be made of a number of materials including vinyl, paper, and aluminum.

When it comes to buying decals, stickers, or something else like labels, there are a number of things to consider: intended use, size/quantity, application surface/location, and lifespan. Check out the table at the bottom of this post for a comprehensive guide to figure out which sticker/decal is right for you.

Intended Use

Decals, labels, and stickers share many of the same qualities, but the key differences lie in their intended use. Typically stickers are used for logos and illustrations. Labels are used for more informative purposes such as product packaging. And decals are used for decoration or advertising purposes on floors, windows, walls, vehicles, etc..

Size/Quantity

Stickers and labels are usually smaller in nature and applied to smaller products such as laptops, water bottles, and other product packaging. Decals, on the other hand, are usually larger and applied to things such as walls, windows, floors, and vehicles.

Because of their size, decals are usually ordered in smaller quantities. A business might order one wall decal for their wall and/or one window decal for their window. Stickers are ordered in quantities of one to many. Businesses may want to buy stickers with their company’s logo to hand out to employees or customers. Because of their intended use, labels are sold in rolls and come in large quantities. Check out our Roll Labels for more information.

Application Surface/Location

As mentioned above, decals are great for walls, windows, and floors. With that said, there are a number of different types of decals. A decal that goes on the floor is different than a decal that would go on a wall and both of those are different than a decal that would go on a window. If you’re looking for a decal/sticker that can be used outdoors and is more permanent, check out our permanent decals.

Stickers are typically used for small format advertising. They are typically applied to smooth surfaces and can be easily removed. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to install, stickers are perfect. People like to decorate their laptops, notebooks, and water bottles in stickers.

Labels are primarily used on product packaging: jars, cans, bags, bottles, etc. They come in rolls making them quick and easy to install on numerous items.

Lifespan

Another important factor to consider is lifespan. Decals last the longest, followed by stickers, and then labels. If you are looking for something that will last over a year, you will want to go with some type of decal. If you’re looking for something that is small and quick and easy to install, you’ll want to go with a sticker or label.

Decals, Stickers, and Labels

Related Articles

Floor Decals For Every Setting

How to Apply Decals

Selecting a Finish: Glossy vs. Matte

Difference Between Decals and Stickers – Signage 101

Regardless of your decal, there are a couple of general rules to follow:

• For best results, Installation should be in temperatures above 50°F(10°C) and below 90°F(32°C)
• You should always clean the application surface before applying the decal—remove all dirt, dust, grease, etc.
• When applying, begin in one corner/side and work your way out from there. Don’t place the decal all at once as this can lead to large air bubbles
• Use a squeegee to get rid of small/minor air bubbles—it is normal to have small air bubbles following installation, most of them will work their way out after 24 hours.
• Place the (removed) backing as a liner between the squeegee and the decal to prevent scratch marks from the squeegee.
• You can use a dry erase marker (on applicable surfaces) or masking tape to ensure better positioning and more accuracy when applying your decal.

Generally speaking, there are two different install methods: wet and dry. It is important to determine whether your decal is wet or dry install, as the installation processes are very different. Check out this table to see whether your signs.com decal is a dry or wet install:

Dry Install

First and foremost, clean the surface where the decal will be applied. Be sure to remove any grime, dirt, grease, dust, or anything that will prevent the decal from fully sticking. Depending on the surface, you may want to use a damp washcloth, glass cleaner, or other common household materials to clean the surface. Make sure the surface is completely dry before beginning the application process.

Remove the backing. When removing the backing, it is better to remove part of it and begin applying the decal to the surface as opposed to removing the backing all at once, especially for larger decals. This will make it easier to manage the decal and make sure that it is applied smoothly. **For vinyl lettering, it is important to note that you will first position and then remove the backing.

Position your decal how you want it. Use a level if necessary. Tip: Apply a strip of masking tape to the top of your decal and use that to properly position the decal and hold it in place. You can create a ‘hinge’ with the masking tape allowing you to lift the decal prior to removing the backing.

Apply pressure. Start in one spot (usually a corner or top) and begin applying pressure using your hand or a squeegee, gradually working your way across the entire decal. Go slow, making sure to remove any excess air bubbles.

Finishing touches. Once you’ve reached this point, use a squeegee to remove any minor air bubbles and remove all backing. You can now use the backing as a protective barrier between to protect your decal from scratches while using a squeegee. This step may include cutting off extra materials (especially for perforated decals). If you used masking tape to position your decal, you can remove that here as well.

Wet Install

First and foremost, clean the surface where the decal will be applied. Be sure to remove any grime, dirt, grease, dust, or anything that will prevent the decal from fully sticking. Depending on the surface, you may want to use a damp washcloth, glass cleaner, or other common household materials to clean the surface. Dry the application surface before moving onto the next step.

Create application solution by adding 3 drops of dish soap to 1 gallon of water. Mix it together and put in a spray bottle.

Remove the backing. Unlike dry decals, you can remove all of the backing at once.

Spray surface and back of the decal with the application solution. Be sure to generously apply the application solution (do not submerge or soak the decal as too much liquid can ruin the decal). This will make it easier to move the decal around to the desired position on the application surface.

Position your decal how you want it. Use a level if necessary. Tip: Apply a strip of masking tape to the top of your decal and use that to properly position the decal and hold it in place. You can create a ‘hinge’ with the masking tape allowing you to lift the decal prior to removing the backing.

Apply pressure. Start in the middle of your decal and begin applying pressure using your hand or a squeegee, gradually working your way across the entire decal. Go slow, making sure to remove all of the application solution between the decal and the surface. As the solution is removed, the decal will begin to stick. For best results, we recommend that you use a squeegee.

Finishing touches. Once you’ve reached this point, use a squeegee to remove any minor air bubbles and/or application solution—use a paper towel to completely dry the decal/surface.

It is important to note that these are general installation instructions and are not perfect for every product. We recommend checking the installation instructions for your specific product before installing.

For a more visual set of instructions, check out the videos below:

Related Articles

Floor Decals For Every Setting

Signage 101 – Installing Window

Signage 101 – Vinyl Lettering vs Clear Window Decals

How to Apply Decals

Types of Decals

First, let’s talk about the different types of decals. There are various types of decals: window decals, car/vehicle decals, vinyl lettering, and permanent decals just to name a few. Window decals and vinyl lettering are often removed by just peeling away from the surface and washing the residue with a damp and soapy cloth. Vehicle decals and permanent decals are often more difficult to remove and require more work.

As mentioned above, some decals can’t be removed without leaving permanent damage. An example of this is a permanent decal that has been applied to a fragile surface such as a painted wall. A permanent decal is meant to be permanent and should only be applied on surfaces where it is meant to stay. Permanent decals will remove paint, cement, wallpaper, and just about whatever else they’re attached to.

Surface

Second is the surface to which the decal is applied. Decals are the easiest to remove from windows and other hard and smooth surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastic. Decals can often be easily removed from cars and other vehicles without damaging the paint. Vinyl lettering, which often has a low adhesive compared to other decals, is the easiest to remove regardless of surface. As a result, they are often applied to more delicate surfaces such as wallpaper and painted surfaces.

Time

Third is the amount of time the decal has been applied on the surface. It goes without saying that the longer a decal is applied to a surface, the harder it is to remove. Decals that were recently applied can often be peeled away. Whereas decals that have been applied for over a year can require more work. When a decal is left for a long period of time on a surface the adhesive will cure and harden making a firm bond between the paper or vinyl of the decal and the surface.

With the exception of permanent decals, the following steps can be used to remove just about any decal:

1. Peel the decal

   Before anything else, try peeling away the decal with your fingers and/or a plastic credit card. A credit card can be used by wedging it between the decal and the surface and continuing to slide it between the two. Slight, consistent pressure with a back and forth motion will often prove effective. Avoid using a razor or sharp edge as it can damage the surface. Oftentimes decals can simply be peeled away without tearing, making your job much easier. If this is the case, skip to step 3

2. Heat up the decal

   If the decal constantly tears or is too stuck to remove with your fingers and/or keeps tearing, use a blow dryer to heat up the decal. The heat from the blow dryer will help loosen the adhesive making it less sticky. If you don’t have a blow dryer, you may use hot water (Assuming the surface won’t be damaged with water). Refrain from using a heat gun as it can damage the paint or surface. Once heated, the decal may be more easily removed.

3. Remove the residue

   Once the decal is removed, there will probably be some residue left from the adhesive. Some residue can be removed with a damp, soapy cloth and others may require a removing agent such as rubbing alcohol or Goo Gone. Simply dampen a cloth with the removing agent and begin by gently rubbing away at the residue, increasing pressure as needed.

4. Wash the surface

   The fourth and final step is to clean the surface with a damp cloth and dry it, removing any excess residue or dirt.

Following these steps should allow you to remove just about any decal. When buying your decals and installing them, it is important to take into consideration the three factors we talked about above. If you plan on removing your sticker in the near future, avoid decals that are more permanent in nature, and/or apply them to surfaces where they will be easier to remove. You might also consider non-adhesive decals such as window clings, which can be removed and reused without any residue. Looking to buy a decal, but not sure which one? Check out this blog post to find out which decal is right for you.

Related Articles

Floor Decals For Every Setting.

Vinyl Lettering vs Wall Decals – Signage 101.

Designing Your Own Custom Wall Decals.

How to Remove a Decal

A popular way to get inspired on a day to day basis is through wall quotes. This has become a popular trend in homes and businesses to motivate and uplift. Our vinyl lettering or wall quotes are made with a durable vinyl that is individually cut with an adhesive backing. Your wall quote will be individual letters but com pre-masked with transfer tape for an easy one-time installation of your entire quote or design. To see the ten most popular vinyl lettering wall quotes click here. If you already have a specific quote or saying in mind that is going to motivate you, the next step is easy. Start by jumping over to the wall quotes product page. Next, you can enter in your custom dimensions then click on the “Get Started” button as seen in the picture below.

In the design tool, you can upload a vector file if the design has been created outside of the website or you can create the design right there! By simply adding text and/or clipart, you can create the motivational quote you need for your wall.

You can also check out some inspirational wall quote templates by clicking on that link or on the following templates:

Here are a few examples of wall quotes in action:

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Another way in which to be inspired through signs, is hanging pictures of a personal goal. Maybe your goal is to eat healthier, maybe it’s to exercise more, maybe you have financial goals or maybe it’s something as simple as spending more time with the family. Any and all of these goals can be printed and displayed in your home for a little push and inspiration. With the new year upon us, many of us are going to select a new year’s resolution. We all know how difficult it can be to actually stick with that goal and see it to the end. It can be pretty easy to get started and feel motivated in the beginning; the tricky thing is following through and seeing your goal to the end. But, having a reminder of that specific goal displayed somewhere in your home can be a great way to push our minds and bodies to achieve what we desire.

The end goal could be displayed through a repositionable wall decal. These decals are an opaque vinyl material that have a low-tac adhesive on the back side. They can be installed on any smooth, clean surface. Images of our goals can be printed on these decals and can be positioned on any wall, at any time. You can even move the decal around with you and place it in different locations on different days, making that wall decal a strict reminder of what you want to accomplish.

Goals could also be displayed using a magnet for your fridge. Every time you are in the kitchen, walk past the fridge, or reach inside the fridge, your goal will be displayed as a reminder and inspiration. Your magnet can be as small as 6 inches by 6 inches. Anything from pictures to a quote can be printed on a magnet for motivation.

A couple of other effective options for inspirational signage might be a small vinyl banner or a picture printed on a poster or gorgeous metal. 

Inspiration can also be found from the people whom we love. Custom prints of our loved ones displayed in our homes can provide the inspiration needed to achieve a goal or make something happen. Seeing their faces might be just enough motivation for us to keep going. Our prints, such as our canvas prints or wooden prints, provide a perfect base for pictures of our loved ones to be displayed.

Here are some examples of canvas prints with photos for inspiration:

Image courtesy of Project Nursery

Image courtesy of Sugar Bee Crafts

Image courtesy of Green Street Blog

We also offer photo prints with three different finishes: metallic, matte and glossy. These are printed on professional grade photo paper to ensure the best quality for your family photos.

No matter what kind of inspiration you need, there is a variety of ways you can find it through signs. Finding encouragement and inspiration through signs and lettering is made easy through our online design tool. If you are having trouble designing exactly what you want, our team of professional designers can help with free design help and photo retouching. They can put together a design for you that will inspire and uplift each time you look at it. It can be tricky finding inspiration in our lives, but having a beautiful sign to look at can get us started and inspire us to achieve what we want. So go ahead and create your inspirational sign and feel a difference in your life.

Inspirational Quotes – Photo Arrangements and Wall Signs