Photo by Michael Williams

David Baum

For nearly two decades, Baum, president of Trademark Visual, Inc., and his team have successfully contributed to more than 25,000 branding and installation projects throughout the United States. Clients include some highly recognized names: Amazon, Carolina Panthers, SoulCycle, DryBar, Revolve, Waste Management Phoenix Open, Children’s Health Dallas, Utah Jazz, Simon Premium Outlets, NCAA Final Four, CFP National Championship Game and many more.

How did you get your start in the sign industry?

There was an opportunity to purchase a small sign company in 2001. It was called 1st Signs and there were seven people working out of a tiny retail store. We acquired the company on Sept. 10 and our family took ownership on Sept. 11. Obviously, this was a terrible day and a scary time in our world. The economy struggled and as a result, the following years would be a struggle for us as well. But we pushed forward, kept fighting and worked extremely hard. We repositioned the brand and renamed the company Trademark Visual in 2009. We've been in business for 17 years now and thankfully, each year has been better than the last.

What is the most rewarding part of your career?

I still think about that little sign shop I saw for the first time after I graduated college. Our evolution has been strong, steady and incredibly rewarding. It has been a true joy to help lead our team. Some have been with us since the very beginning, and we've been able to promote from within, to hire the most talented and passionate and, ultimately, build an all-star team. We now have people throughout the United States operating our additional offices. We are a long way from that little sign shop, but Trademark is still a family at our core. Building that family, providing opportunity and watching people flourish is the most rewarding.

I understand you hope to rollout more offices across the country.

We really base our initial decision to expand into a respective region on what talent we can attract or re-locate there. Once we establish the team, we then look at the market size and what impact we can make. I am originally from Cleveland, and so knowing the region and its people, we have plans for a sister manufacturing facility in the Midwest. We are also currently looking into Colorado, Texas and Georgia.

What do you envision for the future of the Valley as a whole?

I think we will see a whole new tech market emerge over the next 10 years in Phoenix. Artificial intelligence and machine learning from Arizona State University, Chandler carving out a niche in autonomous vehicles, companies like Intel. We can continue to make great strides in these areas because of our access to a highly educated workforce, great climate and reasonable cost of living. 

In what ways do you give back to the community?

I have been active in the Phoenix Thunderbird organization for over seven years. I am honored to be among the men who raise money to assist children and families, help those in need and improve quality of life. I am also an active member of Support Sky Harbor Coalition, NAIOP and Valley Partnership. I was a former member of Boys and Girls Club Executive Council. Trademark continues to support many local charities including: PANDA, Fresh Start, EC70, Waste Management Phoenix Open and Junior Achievement.