Sign Me Pretty
Sign Me Pretty has officially been a business for three years now. “But we’d been doing things for friends and family since a few years prior, and honestly have always had a craft going on since we had kids in 2015,” said Ember Loefflad, half of the husband-and-wife team at SMP.
From custom cutting boards to keychains, earrings to event backdrops—and of course, custom signs, whether for home décor or a small business, this pair brings ideas to life. Teachers’ and hostess gifts, and family mementos are among the popular items these passionate wood crafters can create for you.
Despite the volume of their offerings, SMP is still a side hustle. “A lot of people don’t actually know, but we both still work full-time,” Ember told us. She has been a full-time accountant for Cape May County Social Services for six years, and Mike was the Chef De Cuisine at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor for many years. He took on SMP full-time in 2021 but is now getting back into cooking.
“We started out Sign Me Pretty as primarily signs and redoing furniture, only for friends, family, and ourselves, really,” said Ember. “We just loved doing things our own way (DIY versions). It really took off from wanting to create special pieces for our own house and special occasions, and soon we were doing it for everyone!”
There’s a story behind the name as well. “We picked our business name from special events we would have within the family, where we would make our own quoted/designed signs to match themes and have people sign them as a guestbook. ‘Don’t forget to sign the sign pretty’ became ‘Sign Me Pretty.’”
As the business and clientele grew, their products varied, and they now offer much more than signs and re-done furniture. “We primarily work with wood, acrylic, leather, and some metals, creating anything from customized signs, ornaments, and decor to items featuring other small businesses’ logos. We actually work a lot with other small businesses now, creating their business signs or small items that highlight their logo. It has been really special to be a part of that community.”
The SMP products change with demand and seasons. “We try to make anything someone comes to us with, really!” Ember said. “That’s one of our main themes: ‘Turning memories into décor.’ We take anything people want to hold onto and make it into a forever piece of art that they can cherish.” Their most popular items are personalized gifts, around the holidays especially, when custom wood ornaments are a hot ticket item.
“Mike is the primary builder and creator; if it’s made it’s because he put it together in person,” Ember said. For her part, there’s the backend business: the books, orders, and she’s mostly the one you’re talking to if you contact them via email or social media, “Since we’ve been together it’s always been ‘Ember has an idea and Mike makes it happen,’ so SMP functions like that, too.”
The couple are high school sweethearts, and now have four children: Liam (8), Grayson (6), Oliver (3), and Lainey (1). In many ways, SMP has gone from a mom-and-pop shop to a family one. Sign Me Pretty always works because Mike can do the main work when the kids are in bed or if Ember’s running them to sports. “It’s a business that’s kind of just been integrated into our lives. The kids love to help where they can—age appropriately! —even if it’s just helping carry or organize items to help pack orders. They’re always a big help at festivals, too!”
It’s not always easy. “During the busy season, it gets stressful, and we get on each other’s nerves. It gets busy and overwhelming. But we have a system, and it works. I think that’s the best part: working with your best friend and having the same eye for things and bringing them to life together and being able to say, ‘We did that!’”
Check out Sign Me Pretty online at signmepretty.shop. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram, shop them on Etsy, or catch up with them at local festivals.
