Saratoga.com logo
Saratoga.com logo
  • Places to Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Businesses
  • Travel Guides
Saratoga Business Journal
  • Home
  • New Businesses
  • Business News
  • Business Reports
  • Business Briefs
  • Business Registrations
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Contact Us
Home  »  Entrepreneurship  »  Custom Wooden Sign Maker In Malta To Make Signs For Yellowstone National Park
Entrepreneurship

Custom Wooden Sign Maker In Malta To Make Signs For Yellowstone National Park

Posted onApril 9, 2020April 10, 2020
Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, made these signs for the Adirondack Park and does work for other North Country and local entities.
Courtesy Adirondack Jim’s

By Christine Graf

Malta resident Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, recently secured a contract to make signs for Yellowstone National Park’s historic Lake Lodge.

The lodge was built in 1891 and is undergoing a $19 million makeover. According to Thomson, it was well-known Montana historical architect Ken Sievert who recommended he be chosen to make the interior and exterior signs for the lodge.

The signs will measure between 5-8 feet in length and will be framed in logs. Scott Phillips of Adirondack LogWorks in Schroon Lake will be making the frames.

For the past 30 years, Thomson has worked full-time as a social worker for New York state. He operates Adirondack Jim’s out of his home woodshop and made his first carved wooden sign 12 years ago when decorating his yard for Halloween.

“When I started, I didn’t know anything about how to carve signs. I spent the next two to three years reading books and watching videos,” he said.

The quality of his signs improved dramatically over time and he was encouraged to sell them at craft shows. He first show was in Bolton Landing and was a success. He did several additional shows before deciding to market his products online.

In 2012, Thomson invested in a website and learned to use social media. He went from being the “most un-savvy social media person you could think of” to becoming a social media “wiz,” he said. He also harnessed the power of Facebook analytics to determine his target audience.

“I have a background in psychology and research, so I know all about data and analyzing data,” he said. “It (Facebook analytics) tells you everything you need to know about who your customer is.”

Thomson said his customer base has evolved over time. When he started, the majority of his customers were local. Today, his signs can be found throughout the United States and as far away as London.

An “average” sign from Adirondack Jim’s costs approximately $300. The average wait time is eight weeks. All signs are made from wood that won’t rot or decay.

“The wood I use is very expensive,” said Thomson. “I’m not interested in cutting corners.”

Many of his customers have homes in the Adirondacks and are part of what he described as a high-end demographic. They are very concerned with tradition and preservation.

“My whole marketing approach was based on the fact that I share my passion, which is the Adirondacks,” said Thomson. “I don’t have a hard time advertising because people come to me. There’s a niche market because everyone is using computers and synthetic materials, and I’m one of the few people who actually does wood signs. It’s me doing them. I’m a one-man-show. These signs are handcrafted and take me multiple hours to do.”

His signs can be found throughout the region including at the Adirondack Welcome Center in Queensbury, Word of Life Camp in Schroon Lake, YMCA Outdoor Adventure Camp in Saratoga Springs and Whitney Industries in the Adirondacks.

His wedding signs (trail signs that contain the names of the wedding couple) have also become very popular, he said.

Thomson said he looks forward to the day he retires from the state and can focus full-time on Adirondack Jim’s.

“I’ve always enjoyed being a social worker, but when I’m gone I don’t think anyone will be saying, ‘Hey, do you remember Jim Thomson?’ But my signs—because of the materials I use—will be around for generations and generations to come. It’s my own little piece of history.”

His website is adirondackjims.com and he can be reached at adirondackjims@gmail.com and 518-207-6205.

Previous Article SCORE Mentorship Program Provides Entrepreneurs With Hands-On Assistance
Next Article Owner Of Palette Cafe In Saratoga Springs Plans To Open A Second Cafe In Schenectady
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
View the Latest Virtual Edition

Categories

  • 50-Plus
  • Banking
  • Banking / Asset Managment
  • Building Trades
  • Business Briefs
  • Business News
  • Business Registrations
  • Business Reports
  • Commercial / Residential Real Estate
  • Community Services
  • Construction
  • Construction Planning
  • Corporate Tax / Business Planning
  • Cyber / Tech
  • Dining Guide
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Outlook 2016
  • Economic Outlook 2017
  • Economic Outlook 2018
  • Economic Outlook 2019
  • Economic Outlook 2020
  • Economic Outlook 2022
  • Economic Outlook 2023
  • Education/ Training/ Personal Development
  • Entrepreneurial Women
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environment / Development
  • Financial Planning / Investments
  • Fitness / Nutrition
  • Health / Community Services
  • Health & Fitness
  • Health & Wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Holiday Guide
  • Holiday Shopping
  • Home / Energy
  • Home / Insurance
  • Home & Real Esate
  • Insurance / Employee Benefits
  • Insurance / Medical Services
  • Legal / Accounting
  • Meet The Chef
  • New Businesses
  • Non-Profit
  • Office / Computer / New Media
  • Office / HR / Employment
  • Office/ Technology/ E-Commerce
  • Outlook 2021
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Retirement Planning
  • Senior Living / Retirement
  • Summer Construction
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Women In Business
  • Workplace / Security / Legal
  • Year-End Tax Planning

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
Connect With Us

Follow, like and subscribe to Saratoga.com on social media

Account Sign In Submit An Event
Saratoga.com logo
  • Home
  • Places To Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Businesses
  • Guides
  • Contact Us
  • Blogs
  • Sweepstakes
  • Advertising
Visit Saratoga.com For Everything Saratoga
Full-Service Internet Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Website Design and Development by Mannix Marketing, Inc.
Mannix Marketing, Inc. is headquartered near Saratoga Springs in Glens Falls, New York
Saratoga.com All Rights Reserved © 2023
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy / Terms of Use / Copyright Policies

We strive to insure accuracy on Saratoga.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information is subject to change.
Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here.

Having trouble using this site? Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements.