Check Out Juan Paniagua’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Paniagua

Hi Juan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I would say my Journey started the day I quit my “corporate job”.

In 2018 I decided to walk away from the car business and take a chance on myself. That same year I started my business, Yoyo’s Signs (Yoyo is my mom’s nickname). When I first started I mainly offered hand lettering signs and some mural work. With all the new technology in digital printing and LED signs, I understood that I was getting into a business that was basically fading away. Hand lettering signs became more of a “vintage” look instead of the preferred medium for signs. Customers would constantly ask for printed banners or printed graphics for vehicle wraps or for window display. All the services that I didn’t offer or knew anything about. I personally didn’t want to get into printing but if my new business had any chance to survive I had to put pride aside and start offering those services.

I challenged myself to learn about designing and illustration. Had to learn new programs like Adobe Illustrator and photoshop. I purchased the programs and for a month just focused on learning as much as I could. After building some skill and confidence I started offering graphic design as a new service. After a few months of making some simple logo designs for friends and previous customers, I started offering more large format printing services for store-fronts and food trucks.
Now we offer full large format prints. No matter the size of the project we have a team of designers, installers and service techs. Adding graphic design as a new services catapulted my business, specially during Covid, that was actually one of my more successful years.

In 2019, right before Covid started, I went thru a separation which ultimately led to a divorce.
That sent me into a very heavy depression, It was one of the darkest and lowest moments of my life.

To keep myself “distracted” I picked up a camera as a new hobby. A close friend of mine, Edgar Gomez, who works as a sound engineer in a recording studio called Deep Roots Studios in Tempe, Az. To help keep me distracted and have more practice with my camera He offered to let me pull up to the studio and practice taking pictures of the artists that go record there. With the green light from the Studio owner, Ryan Downing, I started going to the studio every chance I’d get.
I Stayed long nights at the studio met a lot of great artists, both Independent and famous artists.
I had no idea how to set the camera settings properly for lighting, or even framing the image. No clue what F-Stop, shutter speed or any other industry terms were. I took a lot of bad pictures and made a lot of mistakes, But with consistency determination I started developing a skill and a passion for photography.
After some fine tuning that I started offering commercial videography and photography as an additional service.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road here has not been smooth at all. But I believe that it shouldn’t be, the road to success has to be tough to prepare you along the way. The failures, the tears, the criticism all part of the journey. With out it its impossible to grow and be better, at least I believe so.
Taking a risk on yourself alone is a struggle.
To mentally and emotionally get yourself ready takes a lot out of you. Wondering if your work is going be good enough to feed you, your family and pay bills. Not knowing where the next project is going to come from, Will you get the support that is required to keep you focused, all these things play a role on the success of an entrepreneur, so to be unsure of all that drains you.

As far as my journey, there has been a lot of struggles. I’ve mentioned a few earlier, learning graphic design, photography and videography and editing was hard because like anything else my skill where subpar, not very good at all, being a perfectionist that was a big struggle to deal with.
Learning how to install vinyl on windows, walls or cars has brought its struggle as well. Let’s just say I’ve wasted a lot of vinyl ink and hours on re-prints.
Not to mention all the “Side Jobs” I had to work to keep up with the finances.
From Loading planes for UPS, to delivering food and groceries even having a few Amazon routes.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Short answer, Media and design.

But that seems kinda vague.

We offer a plethora of marketing and advertising services for any type of business. From brick and mortar to local artists or influencers.
To stay true and loyal to our roots, we specialize in hand lettering hand painted signs.

I would say I’m know for my media work, mainly videography.
At the moment I’m the director of a TV show called MatchPlay TV with Ray Adams. It’s an interview/Golf talk tv show. We air on Bally’s Sports network, which believe it’s now FanDuel. We’re set to start streaming on streaming services such as Tubi, Amazon and Apple TV in 2025.
For not knowing a single thing about the industry terms to Directing, shooting and editing a TV show is probably what I’m more proud of so far.

I consider myself a true “JuanStop” shop when it comes to marketing services. From logo design to commercial videography and photography, Full sign services, large format printing and let’s def not forget the lettering and mural services. It’s hard to find another media business that offers all the services you need in from one team. That’s what sets me aside.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To trust myself!

Pricing:

• Project Based

Contact Info:

• Instagram: juanshot11
• Youtube: JuanShot Media