An alumni couple is running a half a million-dollar company only three years after leaving BYU-Hawaii. Lauran Wang, a Washington native and Will Wang from Australia, met on the BYU-H campus as struggling student athletes. Married in 2010, Lauran and Will studied business finance side-by-side and graduated with honors the following year. Three short years after graduation, they are the proud owners of a half a million-dollar company in Tri-Cities, WA. The Wangs bought a dying sign company in November of 2012 for a fraction of the asking price and have turned it into a thriving digital marketing and sign business. The Wangs renamed the company Mustang Signs, currently have six employees and recently bought their own 3500 sq. ft. shop. In April 2012, Lauran was feeling unsatisfied with her marketing job at a Fortune 500 company realizing she had more potential than could be afforded in her small corner cubicle at this large company. With the help of her husband, she began to search local listings for an opportunity in the small business world. “I had found two businesses in the area that we were interested in,” said Lauran, “a dog grooming business and a sign business. We toyed with the idea of owning a dog grooming shop but just did not see our future selves as dog groomers,” joked Lauran. It was a challenge to be thrown into an industry she was not very familiar with and be successful, said Lauran. “I had ten days with the previous owner to get some training and understand how the company works.” It was a tough transition and the couple messed up every sign they made three times for the first year, she said. Using aspects from all of her classes has helped to make Mustang Signs a successful business. Lauran said, “Everything that I learned in business classes at BYUH has helped me. In a small business you do everything, HR, accounting, marketing and anything else you could imagine. Its all on you.” “Be well rounded. You are the heart and soul of your business. You have to be able to motivate others and lead them,” said Will. He also counseled students to take advantage of all the practical training you can get, go to the conferences, practicums and conferences that the school offers. Lauran added that good social skills are critical to being an entrepreneur. “I never thought I would have to talk to so many people as a business owner. You are the face of your company and have to represent it well in social settings. Practice these skills in your clubs and other activities so you can help grow your company.”Lauran and Will are continuing to create an innovative and cutting edge company. They have turned their business from only signs and graphics to include marketing, branding and consulting as well. We have created a name for ourselves in the region and have gained the trust of companies in the region, said Will. Contact the Wangs or Mustang Signs if you are interested in learning more about their business or interning with their company.
Writer: Trenton McCullough ~ Multimedia Journalist
