When Shane Weddle went looking for a business he could call his own, he didn’t think he would land in the sign-making business. For someone with a military background and 25 years manufacturing products for defense, Shane was looking for something with a legacy of supporting military members, veterans and their families.
“I didn’t know if FastSigns was going to do it for me,” Shane said of his initial take on the franchise. “But, when I came in to look at FastSigns in Fort Walton Beach, it was full of decals for the local military units and functions, so I knew I could really lean into the local defense society with this business.”
Shane has done more than just lean into the military community, since moving to Fort Walton Beach in 2021, Shane has become the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Military Committee Chair, and has become so synonymous with the Army Special Forces 7th Group that they have named him an Honorary Special Forces Chapter 7 Member.
“Both of my grandfathers served in WWII, my dad served in Vietnam and I joined right in the middle of Desert Storm. I didn’t anticipate how much I would be fulfilled by giving back to the military community, but we have so many people in the Florida panhandle community who are affiliated with our armed services; it is empowering and meaningful,” Shane said.
Like his dedication to his military family, Shane is dedicated to quality services and products with FastSigns. In addition to offering vinyl products for vehicles, windows and storefronts, Shane secured a license so that FastSigns can offer servicing and installation of electric signs.
“We can fabricate our own cabinet signs, from start to finish,” Shane said. “I have an expert for electrical signs, and we can take care of it from design to install. We do promo products, sidewalk graphics, big monuments, you name it, everything except for billboards.”
When asked what he enjoys most about his new career with FastSigns, Shane said it took him a while to realize that it’s the community he has met and connected with that make his profession meaningful.
“The first year, I thought the installs were what I loved most,” Shane said. “The second year, I thought I needed to be the sales person, and I enjoyed that, and in doing that I built a network and community engagement piece that I really liked. This year, I have leaned into community engagement, and that has been the most fulfilling part of the business. Giving back to the community, being part of the community and leaning in.”
When not working or spending time in the community, Shane can be found FaceTiming his three sons and three grandchildren in Indiana, boating with his wife and daughter Ava or rooting for his home college football team, Notre Dame.
“We love getting out on the boat, love college football and spending time together,” Shane said. “We are very active in the community. Other communities don't engage in the military community the way this one does. Here, military members and veterans are treated with respect, it’s done right here in the panhandle.”
“It does so much for me to stay connected to my brothers and sisters in arms,” Shane said.