The story behind the shop — how it started, what changed, what we're building now, and what customers say about working with us.
Purple Star Signs didn't happen overnight — and the most important version of it didn't happen until Michael got honest with himself.
I'm the founder of Purple Star Signs — a full custom sign shop at 32 Union St S in Historic Downtown Concord, North Carolina. I design and produce signs, decals, banners, apparel, and visual branding that help people and businesses stand out.
I started as Purple Star Graphics and rebranded to Purple Star Signs in 2022 as the business grew into something real. I made plenty of wrong turns along the way. My first partner retired. My second partnership fell apart. I had to rebuild everything myself.
About a year and a half ago, I quit drinking — and that decision reset everything. It forced me to focus on my health, my goals, and my purpose. It gave me clarity I didn't know I was missing.
I'm a creative and a maker at heart. I specialize in taking rough ideas and turning them into bold, clean, high-contrast designs that read instantly and work in the real world.
I handle everything from design to production, so every piece passes through my hands. I don't run a factory — I approach this like an artist. Every job is custom, every project gets full attention, and I care deeply about how the final result makes people feel.
I'm known for color accuracy, fast turnaround when timelines matter, and for being the kind of person you can actually talk to. That's not an accident — it's a choice I make every day.
Getting sober gave me clarity and control I'd never had before. I took full ownership of who I am, what the business is, and where it's going. Since then I've been focused, consistent, and intentional — and that's what pushed everything forward.
That shift led me to create the Downtown Concord Bubble Man character and step into a more community-driven role. Everything I'm building now — from signs to community projects — is about creating something positive and meaningful in the place I call home.
Real feedback from real people across Concord and Cabarrus County.
★★★★★"I can't say enough good things about working with Michael. Purple Star was responsive, collaborative, creative, and priced fairly. Highly recommend!"
★★★★★"Such a great experience every single time we work with Purple Star. Michael is able to take an idea and make it happen. He works quickly and with high quality. He's also extremely creative — which is helpful if you're needing something but not even sure what you need!"
★★★★★"Michael was awesome to work with. He created a banner for my band 'Fat Fury' — we displayed it Saturday night at our gig. Looked incredible."
★★★★★"Absolutely the best place for signs and printing needs. I've been using them for years."
★★★★★"Best vinyl decal work you will find anywhere. You can't beat the prices or the quality."
★★★★★"Quality was excellent, far beyond what I had imagined. Highly recommend Purple Star Signs."
★★★★★"Purple Star was awesome! I needed a table sign quickly for an event and Michael was amazing at discussing options."
★★★★★"They really know their graphic design and were easy to work with."
★★★★★"Awesome quality and great customer service. Will definitely be returning."
When you're ready to make the change you've been wanting — but don't know how — this is where you start.
"Most people are living in a box they didn't even build. I know, because I spent 25 years in one. I was the sign guy, the bartender, the cook — staying up until 2AM chasing things that didn't matter. I thought that was the world. It wasn't. It was just a box."
"When you decide to leave the box, it gets lonely. You start seeing the people you've been letting in — the ones holding you back. You realize that to grow, you have to stop seeing them, or you have to tell them: 'If things don't change, we are going to change.' That's the hardest part of the reinvention."
"Loneliness is just the empty space where the new life gets built."
I've spent the last 18 months breaking ground I never thought I'd touch. No drugs, no alcohol — just clarity, systems, and purpose. If you're ready to be the number one in your own world, I built something for you.
I'm Ready. Show Me. →No sales pitch. No corporate life coach. Just the honest architecture of change.