Alumni
Recent Grad Warren Weiss Co-Founds Good Life Neon Company
Warren Weiss graduated in June 2018 with his degree in Merchandising & Marketing. He’s now the Co-Founder and Head of Sales and Design at Good Life Neon Company, and lives between Los Angeles, San Antonio, and New Orleans.
Tell us a little about yourself: I am originally from San Antonio, Texas. I moved to LA after high school to attend FIDM. I have a handsome terrier mix named Prince Weiss. I love playing tennis, exercising, volunteering at dog shelters, and hanging with friends.
Tell us about Good Life Neon Company and how you came up with this idea: I was the head merchandiser, head of sales, and store manager for a boutique in West Hollywood, CA. I had the idea of really focusing in on designing custom neon lights for businesses in Los Angeles. I would help my boss design signs that we would bring into the shop and also sell to customers. I was working at this store for a year, and I sold over 75 signs. As soon as I graduated FIDM, I got a job working at a brand called Natalie Martin Collection in West Hollywood, CA. I was still working as an independent contractor for my old neon sign boutique. After I turned twenty-one, I decided I was going to move to New Orleans. I also wanted to help my father with his business in San Antonio, Texas, so I also decided I was going to live in San Antonio part-time. Although I was living across the country, I still had a passion for neon signs. I wanted to start a company that created custom neon signs to elevate storefronts. I asked one of my best friends, Carissa Brones, who is getting her Masters at USC, if she would like to partner with me to form a custom neon sign company. We agreed and started Good Life Neon Company (@goodlifeneon) together. Our business is based out of West Hollywood, CA. I now work in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and San Antonio.
Why did you choose FIDM? I chose FIDM because when I visited the campus during my senior year of high school, I fell in love with the energy the school has. I love how FIDM’s classes are small enough where you can ask questions and get personalized attention from your professors.
How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you are doing now? FIDM’s classes such as Integrated Marketing Communications and Marketing Essentials helped me know how to market my brand. Trend Forecasting helped because when I am choosing neon’s colors to place in my father’s store. I am selecting the colors based on the trends I see in WGSN.
What is your social media strategy for your company? We have partnered with many neon sign influencers, reached out to a variety of Instagram influencers and continue to follow and direct message interior designers and event planners for shout-outs.
What is your biggest goal right now? I am actually at the moment, creating a small section at Amols’ Specialty Inc., my dad’s store in San Antonio, Texas, that will sell custom neon signs to the local bars, restaurants, stores, and spas that visit my father’s store frequently. My great-grandfather started the store in 1949, so a lot of people know my family store. People from all over Texas visit to shop for their business. By the end of the month, we will begin installing signs and marketing on social media. At the moment, the biggest goal is to gain brand awareness and complete this big project.
Anything else you’d like to share? I am happy I started this company. I had way less stress working as an independent contractor for my former boss. I was making way more money than I am now. I did not have to worry about paying LLC fees, developing a website, sourcing manufacturers, paying for marketing, etc. However, I learned so much launching this company. I think that getting out of your comfort zone is necessary and I do not regret going out on a limb. I highly suggest other people do this! If you fail, so what? We have all this unnecessary pressure, but we forget how young we are.
Follow Good Life Neon Company on Instagram @goodlifeneon.
Categories: Merchandising & Marketing Alumni
