ATHENS - Angela and Kevin Hartley are putting smiles on hundreds of customer's faces with their impressive and intricate personalized signs.

The owners of Betty's Sign Studio near Charleston Lake have rapidly developed a product so unique and loved by their clients that word of mouth and Facebook are the only advertising tools they need.

"We thought we would gradually start the business but it was busy right away," says Kevin, who accessed a business start-up program and loan through the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation.

The couple initially started the sign studio on a part-time basis four years ago while both were still plant workers - Kevin at P&G, which had announced a gradual closure, and Angela at 3M Canada. They didn't officially open Betty's Sign Studio full time until the fall of 2020. By then, they had established a solid reputation and a lengthy client list of repeat customers.

"We don't miss the night shifts," says Angela. They both embrace the creativity they can unleash and the sense of satisfaction they feel when bringing a client's idea for a metal or wood sign, fence, or wall home decor piece to life.

"When people come to pick up their sign and react by saying they love it, that's very rewarding," says Kevin.

So why sign making after years of being plant workers? Kevin had seen a CNC Plasma computer-generated cutting table and he was intrigued. When P&G offered to help employees start their own business, Kevin seized the opportunity. He operates the table and Angela designs the pieces on her computer with input from customers.

"A lot of our ideas come from customers who tell us what they're looking for and then we go from there," says Angela. Metal signs are powder coated and come in any colour.

And why is it called Betty's? Angela's grandfather used to call her "Betty" and it stuck as the business name.

"The sky is the limit," says Kevin of their colour and design opportunities. They create everything from small wall items to entry gates.

"We're worldwide now," he adds. Betty's Sign Studio is also a registered Ontario Made company. They create family name signs, many with graphic elements unique to the family, commemorative wall signs, emblems and insignias, including many that are retirement gifts for fire and police departments, to name just a few of the things they create.