Chandler Dike
Grade: 12
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Business Name:
Signs By Chandler
Revenue: $3,000
At just 18 years old, Chandler Dike is already making waves as a successful entrepreneur and creative force in her community. As the founder of Signs By Chandler, she’s turned her artistic flair into a profitable custom sign-painting business that has earned her over $3,000 in the past year—and that number keeps growing. Chandler’s journey is a testament to her drive, creativity, and determination, qualities that have recently earned her recognition as a recipient of the Formidable Fellowship.
The Birth of an Entrepreneur
Chandler’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. Back in seventh grade, she started a jewelry business, crafting earrings and selling them during the COVID pandemic. Orders were picked up from her front porch, giving Chandler her first taste of running a business. Around the same time, she launched a summer camp for kids in her neighborhood, which she’s run successfully every year since. The camp, filled with arts and crafts, games, and outdoor fun, not only brought her joy but also proved to be a steady source of income.
It was during these ventures that Chandler realized she had a “go-get-it personality.” She loved coming up with creative ways to make money and put her competitive nature—honed from growing up between two brothers and playing sports—to work in her entrepreneurial pursuits.
Signs By Chandler: The Business
Fast forward to today, and Chandler is running Signs By Chandler, a custom sign business that caters to everything from birthdays and graduations to holiday events and tailgates. Her process is both thoughtful and hands-on. Using brown butcher paper, a projector, paints, and a keen artistic eye, she designs and paints each sign herself, working out of her room. Customers can request specific colors, designs, and text, or they can give Chandler creative freedom to bring their vision to life.
Each sign takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to create, depending on its complexity, and she charges $50 per sign—a price point that reflects her skill and the care she puts into each piece. November was particularly busy for her, with orders flooding in and keeping her painting every day.
Most of her customers are local moms, many of whom she’s met through her summer camp. Word of mouth and Instagram have been key to her growing client base, and she’s even experimented with giveaways to boost her social media following. With nearly 600 followers and counting, Chandler is building not just a business, but a brand.
Lessons in Business and Life
Running a business while balancing school, sports, and other commitments hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught Chandler invaluable lessons in time management, patience, and the value of hard work. “It definitely showed me how much it takes to make money and pay for everyday items,” she says.
Chandler has also discovered the importance of adaptability and resilience. Whether it’s starting over on a sign that didn’t turn out right or navigating the challenges of a holiday market that didn’t yield many sales, she views every experience as a learning opportunity.
The Future: College, Growth, and Big Dreams
As Chandler prepares to graduate from Arlington Heights High School and head to college, she’s contemplating how to keep Signs By Chandler alive while transitioning to a new chapter in her life. She envisions tapping into the college tailgating culture to offer custom signs, cups, and even buttons for events. While she’s not entirely sure how the business will evolve in a new environment, she’s eager to adapt and make it work.
Beyond Signs By Chandler, Chandler is keeping her options open. She plans to major in business, leveraging her entrepreneurial experience to gain deeper insights into how to grow and scale a company. She’s already toying with ideas for future ventures, like creating custom party decor items and expanding her offerings to include personalized products like cups and pins.
When asked about her ultimate dream, Chandler’s answer reflects her open-minded and ambitious nature: “I honestly have no idea,” she admits. “I just know I want to do something in business, be my own boss, and grow something meaningful.”
Why Chandler is a Formidable Fellow
Chandler Dike embodies what it means to be a Formidable Fellow. She’s not just a young entrepreneur; she’s a problem-solver, a self-starter, and an innovator who isn’t afraid to take risks and learn along the way. Her journey thus far is inspiring, and her potential is boundless.
Dreams on the Horizon
As Chandler heads off to college, she dreams of expanding her business knowledge, exploring new creative ventures, and continuing to make an impact with her entrepreneurial endeavors. Whether she’s painting signs, designing custom products, or brainstorming her next big idea, one thing is clear: Chandler Dike is a force to be reckoned with, and the future holds incredible promise for this talented young entrepreneur.
Stay tuned—this is just the beginning for Chandler Dike and Signs By Chandler!