North Texas franchise owner Tom Izzo is helping grow local businesses through unique and creative advertisements meant to foster awareness and increase customer traffic.
As the owner of SpeedPro Frisco-Plano, Izzo is considered an authority in venue transformation and wide-format printing. In an exclusive interview with The Dallas Express, Izzo discussed the various tools and methods business owners can utilize to generate more awareness and customer traffic during high-profile events around DFW.
Since purchasing the SpeedPro franchise in July 2022, Izzo has worked hard to expand the business and create a foothold in Frisco and Plano. Despite a few growing pains in the first few months, Izzo said the business is chugging along.
Still, acclimating to the new business structure was not as straightforward as Izzo first thought. He said the first eight months were like “drinking from multiple fire hoses at the same time.”
“You’re getting hit and the business doesn’t stop,” he said. “It’s like all of this stuff is coming in from all these different directions, and you can’t shut it off because the business is running. It is an established business,” Izzo told The Dallas Express.
So, it is crucial to be able to think on your feet, he added.
In terms of marketing and advertising material, SpeedPro specializes in a variety of storefront vinyl, car wraps, large banners, and more. With specialized equipment to perform etchings and routine cutting, Izzo said SpeedPro is also able to design decals of various substrates such as metal, acrylic, and wood.
“We’ve got a lot of different options here for whatever a client might be looking for,” he said.
Izzo said one of the company’s main goals is to “help small businesses raise brand visibility” so they can “capitalize” on the various sporting and entertainment events that take place in DFW. The process typically begins by collaborating with the client on his budget and project expectations.
“Not every business can spend thousands of dollars on a temporary or short-term advertisement,” said Izzo. Sometimes, the client prefers the installation to be “a little more permanent” and not just for a single event.
Since SpeedPro’s customer base typically consists of mom-and-pop shops and small and medium-sized businesses, Izzo said it is important to get creative with client projects.
One of the more interesting events that Izzo was contracted for was the Magic Mike Live Tour in DFW in 2022. For the event, Izzo created logos, banners, and parking signs, among other things.
Normally, SpeedPro has limited contact with the client during the installation process. However, for the Magic Mike Tour, Izzo said his team was able to get a behind-the-scenes view of the show’s setup and side production.
“It was really interesting,” he said. “And again, it was Magic Mike.”
At the end of the day, Izzo said the greatest part of his job is helping clients’ businesses get recognized.
“Honestly, it’s a really good feeling to know that we were actually able to help someone achieve a goal with whatever it is they are trying to achieve,” he told The Dallas Express.