Creativity a Sign of Business Growth in Ottumwa

Advertising comes in many forms, ultimately limited only by the imagination of the creator. As owner of Schroeder Graphics & Signs in Ottumwa, Andrew Schroeder lives that realization every day.

“We create everything from little decals to billboards, for personal and commercial advertising,” he said. “You think it and we can do it.”

Customers can contract with Schroeder Graphics & Signs to create just about any kind of printed advertising they can dream up. 

“Our services can begin from a customer's sketch or we can design one from scratch,” said Schroeder. “We will bring that dream to life with high quality materials and cutting edge equipment, like our printer, plotter and laminator.” 

The advertising includes commercial lights and signs, window and wall decals for businesses and schools for storefronts, entrance doors, walls and more. Popular requests include traditional business and personal vehicle wraps, along with VIN and DOT number decals for commercial vehicles and boats. Other offerings include wraps for race cars, go-karts, trailers, off-road vehicles and boats, with smaller requests like commercial and personal coolers, slide doors, shelved coolers, deep freezers, tumblers and personal gifts.

Local support

Schroeder bought an existing print company in 2014 starting out in the back of a Napa Auto Parts store in Montezuma, Iowa. Business growth led him to look for more space, which he recently found in a 15,000 square-foot facility in Ottumwa. To address the marketing he felt his business needed, he turned to Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (GOPIP) for assistance. The free digital marketing assistance GOPIP has facilitated this year was a perfect match. 

“GOPIP was able to put me in touch with a website designer, who was able to transform our average website to one that really helps my business, like social media posts, order tracking and just an overall better presentation of what we offer to possible customers,” he said.

Schroeder said working with GOPIP and Sharon Stroh, GOPIP Vice President of Industrial Development and Organizational Communication, had additional benefits beyond digital marketing.

“When I sat down with GOPIP, the programs they had did not quite fit what I was looking for, but the connections I made led me to the new building I am in now,” he said.

Schroeder said bringing his business to Ottumwa was an excellent move.

“The community really understands the importance of supporting local businesses, “he said. “Everyone really feeds off each other here, resulting in Ottumwa being a great place to do business.” 

Looking back, Schroeder wishes he would have turned to Stroh and Otumwa sooner in his career.

“I recommend to anyone looking for business assistance in Ottumwa to go to GOPIP first, because they are a one-stop shop for everything a small business needs, from loan funding to website and brand development,” he said.