Birmingham business owner Janie Drury is on top of the world after winning a national award for FASTSIGNS® Birmingham.

Janie beat more than 22 fellow franchise holders in the UK and scooped The FASTSIGNS Award at the company’s UK National Convention and Awards Dinner.

She opened FASTSIGNS Birmingham in Great Charles Street, Queensway in 1996 and has taken the company from strength to strength, at the same time doing all she could to help other FASTSIGNS colleagues along the way.

Her loyalty and patience were rewarded at the company’s awards dinner when she was praised for “living the spirit of the FASTSIGNS award” for more than 13 years.

FASTSIGNS’ UK Managing Director Garth Allison said it was a pleasure and a privilege to honour Janie with an award for the franchisee who best represents the concept and the spirit of the FASTSIGNS name, both in the business community and within the company.

“She is eager to assist fellow owners, particularly sharing marketing ideas and initiatives,” he said. “She has been very cooperative, patient, generous and helpful when potential franchisees call or visit. She has consistently invested in the people and infrastructure needed to move the business forward, and to increase the strength, size and integrity of our network.”

“She also shows this same spirit when dealing with her customers.  It allows Janie to understand, meet and usually exceed her customer’s expectations.  Although Janie has the FASTSIGNS’ network, technology and know-how behind her, she still runs her business with an ‘every job matters’ attitude.  She will not let customers down”

Janie was bowled over when her name was read out at the awards ceremony in Oxford. “It was a very big surprise,” she said. “We do try to help our colleagues, but we don’t do it for any reward. It’s great to feel appreciated – it’s put a skip in my step!”

Janie runs FASTSIGNS Birmingham with her husband Martin. “It’s a huge part of our life,” she said. “We have great plans going forward, looking at our marketing, structures, and our target market. Turnover is nice and steady and we’re feeling very positive, despite what’s going on out there in the economy.”

FASTSIGNS offers a full range of custom signs and graphic products to businesses, including banners, posters and exterior and interior signage.