Tuscaloosa, AL (May 1, 2011) – Weather officials said more than 175 confirmed tornadoes hit the South and the Midwest April 27-28, and the total, once all is examined, could surpass 300. The twisters caused at least 327 deaths, at least 249 of which were in Alabama, officials said.
One individual whose business was completely wiped away by the tornados in Tuscaloosa is Mark Rugen. Rugen is a many-year veteran of the sign industry, and acknowledged “guru” of sign design as the nation’s only Certified Sign Instructor for Flexi Sign Pro, the leading application for signmakers in the digital sector. His sign shop was destroyed.
Photo of Mark Rugen’s shop site, sent from his cell phone, 5/11/11
What would most of us do if we really lost our business to a natural disaster? It's likely most people would be traumatized. But Mark is smiling. He maintains a “glass half full” attitude even as he reveals that his livelihood’s computers, software, job files, client files, and many printers, laminators and tools are gone, forever. He attributes the demands of his job for saving his life. “I attended the industry’s big tradeshow, the ISA Expo, in Las Vegas, and the convention for the Sign Biz Network. If I had been in my shop, as usual, I would probably not be here now. I was a thousand miles away, and connecting with my friends at the show and in the Sign Biz network. That is what kept me going.”
During the annual Sign Biz convention this year, Momentum 2011, as the second day of the education program got underway, Rugen donated the shirt off his back, literally, to the Red Cross efforts for Tuscaloosa.
He provided a one-of-a-kind printed shirt that was the last item he ever made in his shop before it was destroyed, to raise funds for tornado victims.
In a spontaneous and energetic auction, his shirt commanded $220 from the winning bidder, Bob Patrician, a Sign Biz Member and owner of Quality Sign & Banner in Newark, CA. See YouTube video, “The Shirt Off His Back” here: http://www.youtube.com/signbiznetwork
And the Sign Biz Network responded with an even bigger commitment to keep Rugen going. “Our network of sign companies stepped up, in a big way. Every job that Mark needs completed, he will sub out to one of our Members. We put out a call to action to every one of our entrepreneurs, and they responded not only with full support to assist Mark, but also with countless expressions of deep support for someone that has always supported this organization,” explains Teresa M. Young, President and CEO of Sign Biz, Inc., whose home office team builds and supports these Sign Biz network entrepreneurial ventures.
To help Mark, give him a call or contact Sign Biz® Inc.: 1-800-633-5580.
Here is the story in images, shot by Rugen on his cell phone when he got home, with his narration:
My printer, I think the stand made it!!! LOL! I think the Graphtec cutter is down below it somewhere.
The sign post in front of my shop where our shop sign once hung. This post was about 40 feet tall and solid iron.
The tent is right in front of my old sign shop. There were buildings and homes all around that are leveled. The small home you see in this image actually had tornado survivors. Incredible!
The 15th street where my sign shop was located. Basically the tornado was dead center over the shop and wiped out all the buildings and homes in the area. 
For the next several months, I will be getting sign jobs and subbing them out to the Sign Biz organization in an attempt to keep our sign business at least viable.
Our insurance will pay for the building, but all the contents will be a loss... HOWEVER…
There are so many other families whose homes were lost and perhaps even family members.
I consider myself blessed beyond words for the safety of my family as well as the show of support from my business friends.
Thanks everyone!
Mark Rugen
President
http://www.givemehelp.com/
Thank YOU, Mark, for being one of the good guys, and doing so much for the sign industry!
Signhugger :)
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