Speaker Spotlight: Greg Zingler, Owner, Zingler Sign & Design

Monday–Tuesday, March 30–31, 2026 | Havenwood Event Center | Sparta, WI

Greg Zingler

Owner

Zingler Sign & Design

Greg Zingler, the Co-owner of Zingler Sign & Design in Tomah, Wisconsin prides himself in being a life-long resident of Monroe County. Greg grew up in the Warrens area and graduated from Tomah High School. He started his first business at the ripe old age of 16 operating a graphic design and commercial printing business.

His education continued at UW-Eau Claire in their newly formed Entrepreneur Program and graduated receiving the Entreprenuer Student and Business Plan of the Year Award from the University. Greg then sold his business and pursed the opportunity work as a marketing director for a local bank. However, after 8 years of working with some great people in banking, the entrepreneurial itch returned. He missed working 12 hour days seven days a week. So,

Greg then started an online canvas enlargement business called MakeYourPhotosBig.com and shortly after a sign company call Zingler Sign & Design. Teaming up with two fine young men that have more energy than him, there are now three owners at Zingler Sign and the company has expanded into custom apparel in an effort to create a one-stop shop. His sign shop has created signs not only throughout Monroe County but much of Wisconsin and Minnesota as well.

Greg is happily married to his childhood friend Julie. Together they have five children with three of them presently in college throughout Wisconsin and two within the Tomah Area School District. Like most small business owners after the business and family, there isn’t much extra time for hobbies. However, he does enjoy fishing when he has a moment and the occasional Sunday afternoon nap.

When asked what advice he would give to any small business owner that wants to succeed, he said, “If you can make it in a small town, you can make it anywhere. A lifetime of treating people right leads to a successful small business.”

Presentation Info

What College Never Taught Me About Running a Small Business
By Greg Zingler, Woner, Zingler Sign

As a small business owner, the challenges are financial, physical, psychological—and endless. After a lifetime of running a small business in a small town, I have learned ten key things that they didn’t teach in college. Knowing these ten things before I started would have saved me a lot of time, money, and frustration. Businesses can thrive in a small town, but it takes a different approach than what you would implement in a larger city.

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