A chance encounter at Steindler Signs & Graphix turned into a new career opportunity for Mike Shollenberger.
The LaCrosse resident and father of 11-year-old son Cooper, whose baseball team he coaches, visited the shop because owner Tom Steindler had donated some signage for the LaCrosse Tiger Baseball team.
“We started talking and he asked me to spread the word that they were looking for a salesperson,” Shollenberger said. “I was interested and said, ‘tell me more.’”
Shollenberger is now the new sales representative for Steindler, a position he feels is a great fit considering his long-term sales career experience.
“I like being in sales – the freedom of getting out and meeting with people. Something new is always happening in this business. The variety is exciting,” he said.
But it was also the company culture that drove Shollenberger to take the position.
“I like the atmosphere and the company as a whole. They have a good reputation, they’re family oriented, and the people are great,” Shollenberger said. “Plus, it’s good to be back in sales again, especially in this industry.”
Shollenberger said he wasn’t aware of how prolific the signage industry was until he started with Steindler. One of his first big projects was for a large developer in Hammond, which is welcoming tenants into a new building.
When he’s not outfitting the Region in professional signage, Shollenberger is helping to save lives. He’s a member of the LaCrosse Volunteer Fire Department as well, citing his desire to help the community when needed.
“I’m not as active outside of work as I used to be so it’s nice to know that I can volunteer to help someone out there if needed,” he said. “I read somewhere that 70 percent of firefighters in the nation are volunteers. We have 25 volunteer members in LaCrosse but every little town in the area has a department and we all work together in a lot of ways,” he said, citing the importance of volunteer departments, especially in rural areas far removed from municipal-supported services.
For more information about Steindler Signs & Graphix, connect with Schollenberger at mshollenberger@steindlersigns.com.
