Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Elizer.
Tim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Sure. My story really starts back in high school. I didn’t have some master plan at the time, but I found myself drawn to graphic design. I loved the idea that something you created on a screen could end up out in the real world on a building, a vehicle, or a storefront.
I got my first job in the sign industry as a teenager sweeping floors, watching skilled craftsmen work, and learning how signs shape businesses and communities. Over time I worked my way through just about every role. I spent years doing production and installation, moved into design, learned sales, and eventually stepped into leadership.
I didn’t take the traditional path. I didn’t go to business school. I learned by showing up, by asking questions, by making mistakes and fixing them, and by having mentors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. That shaped a lot of who I am and how I lead today.
A turning point came when I had the chance to buy the same shop where I got my start. It wasn’t glamorous and it definitely wasn’t easy. It meant sacrifice, long days, taking risks, and staying committed when it would’ve been easier to quit. But it taught me how to build something real — not just a business, but a team and a culture built around pride in the work, doing the right thing, and giving people space to grow just like I did.
That journey eventually became Magnitude — a visual manufacturing and branding company focused on multifamily signage, fleet graphics, and branded environments. Today we’ve branded tens of thousands of doors, wrapped fleets across the region, and earned the trust of partners who value the way we show up, not just what we produce.
What started as a part-time job has turned into a purpose. I get to lead a talented team of designers, installers, and builders who care about the work and take pride in seeing projects come to life.
And honestly, even after all these years, I still feel like we’re just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not at all. Worth it? Absolutely.
There have been seasons where everything felt like it was moving forward, and then moments where it felt like the foundation was shaking. Growing a business isn’t a straight line. There were financial pressures, steep learning curves, hiring and rehiring challenges, equipment failures at the worst times, and plenty of late nights wondering if I was in over my head.
One of the toughest parts in the beginning was transitioning from doing the work to leading the work. When you start on the production floor and work your way up, your instinct is to jump in and handle everything yourself. Real growth happened when I built systems, trusted people, and empowered them to succeed. That took time and humility to learn.
There were personal sacrifices too. Balancing family, building a team, and staying healthy mentally and spiritually stretched me. Cash flow was a daily puzzle at times. I had to make tough decisions that kept me up at night.
Those challenges built me. They taught resilience, patience, and discipline, and the importance of surrounding myself with great people. They pushed me to grow as a leader and build a company that stands on process, culture, and values, not just effort and grit.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. It’s been messy, demanding, and humbling at times. But every difficult moment shaped who I am and what our company has become, and I wouldn’t trade the struggle because it’s what built our strength today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Magnitude, we create visual branding in the physical world. We design, build, and install signage and branded environments for multifamily communities, commercial spaces, and fleet programs. If someone can walk past it, drive by it, or experience it in a space, there’s a good chance our team can bring it to life. That ranges from monument signs and architectural branding to full property signage packages and large fleet wrap rollouts.
We’ve become known for our attention to detail, our process, and our consistency. A lot of companies can print something. What we care about is how it feels, how it functions, and whether it strengthens the brand and experience. We take projects from concept to installation so we can control quality and make the process easier for our partners.
What I’m most proud of is the team and the culture we’ve built. We have designers, installers, fabricators, and project leaders who take real ownership and pride in what they do. They care about doing the job right and creating something that lasts. Watching that pride show up in the field, in the shop, and in the way clients talk about us means more than any equipment or building ever could.
What sets us apart is our mindset. We don’t act like vendors. We act like partners. We ask deeper questions, we plan ahead, we think about the resident experience, the brand journey, and the long-term impact. We combine craftsmanship with hospitality, which isn’t something people usually expect in the signage world. Our goal isn’t just to deliver signs. It’s to elevate environments and make clients feel supported, understood, and proud of the spaces they’re building.
At the end of the day, I love that we get to turn ideas into real-world experiences that people see and interact with every day. And I love that I get to build something meaningful alongside a team of people who believe in the work as much as I do.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has mattered most to my success is perseverance. I don’t quit when things are hard. I’m willing to stay in it, work through challenges, and keep moving forward even when progress is slow or obstacles show up unexpectedly. A lot of my growth came from simply showing up every day, putting in the effort, and trusting that consistency would eventually produce results.
Along with perseverance, I’d say curiosity and humility have played a big role. I didn’t come into this industry knowing everything. I learned by asking questions, paying attention, watching people who were great at their craft, and staying open to new ideas and better ways of doing things. I never felt like I had to have it all figured out, I just had to keep learning and keep improving.
My success hasn’t been about a single big moment. It has come from staying committed, being adaptable, and surrounding myself with good people who believe in what we’re building. Those qualities have carried me through every phase of this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wearemai.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578894183281
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108343447/admin/dashboard/
