Local StoriesApril 21, 2025

Daily Inspiration: Meet Vincent Baker

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincent Baker.

Hi Vincent, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
NASHVILLE VOYAGER MAGAZINE

NAME Vincent Baker March 31, 2025

As an ambitious entrepreneur of many years, I am driven by a deep passion for helping others and making a positive impact in the community in which I work. In 2010, I moved to the Nashville community with a vision of continuing to develop my creative skills in graphic art and sign design. With decades of experience under my belt, I saw Franklin as the perfect opportunity to share my talents and build something meaningful.

When I first arrived, I took a leap of faith and started working part-time at American Sign Design (AMSD), which was then sharing space with an automobile parts store. It was not long before I became the sole owner of American Sign Design and transformed it into an independent thriving business with its own location. As the owner of AMSD, I have had the privilege of using my graphic design skills and expertise to serve the community in many areas. From designing storefront signs and vehicle wraps to events, graduations, reunions and sports teams paraphernalia, my passion for helping people through personalized graphic designs is what gives me the energy to continue meeting the unique needs of each customer in the Franklin community.

Over the last 15 years, I have been able to partner with local schools, colleges, churches, business organizations, and clubs-including the Girl Scouts®, Lions Club and Franktown Open Hearts to create logos and signs that display community pride and spirit. The foundation of my business success lies in building trusting relationships with every client. My mission has always been ” to serve my local community in any capacity I can and meet and exceed each individual customer expectations, as a local and the small business owner of American Sign Design.

Outside of my business, I am deeply involved with my church and participate in nonprofit events in the community. I also dedicate my personal time to mentoring young men interested in learning the trade of graphic art, by sharing my knowledge and passion for the craft. My spirit of entrepreneurship is not just about business, it is about creating lasting relationships and making a difference in way I can.

In October 2021, I had the opportunity to make a difference in the Franklin community in a project about a full-scale statue of a United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldier. I was instrumental in taking the lead in building the base for this statue which now resides in front of the Franklin Courthouse. Being involved in the United States Colored Troops Statue, which is one of the few standalone monuments honoring the hundreds of African Americans from Williamson County and over 170,000 across the US was an incredible historical experience for me which continued to fuel my passion I developed as a youth for helping others.

Who I am today is because of the passion and the foundation that I had growing up in Tuskegee Alabama. I had a loving family and community that believed in helping each other out with whatever means necessary. Also growing up in my local church with my family and neighbors, and faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, were the strongest influencers on my journey to adulthood. I know and believe that it is my faith that has helped me accomplish things I thought to be impossible and know that it is by [my] faith that I know nothing is impossible, paraphrasing my favorite scripture: Matthew 17:10.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a new business in a new or any community was not smooth but a great learning and growing experience. When I started working in American Sign Design when it was a small shared graphic business in 2010 and meeting and engaging with new welcoming people on a daily basis great. The people of the Franklin community helped make my road to success a positive experience that very rewarding. This rewarding experience as a new person to this community far outweighed any hurdles or bumps in the road along the way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an ambitious entrepreneur of many years, I am driven by a deep passion for helping others and making a positive impact in the community in which I work. In 2010, I moved to the Nashville community with a vision of continuing to develop my creative skills in graphic art and sign design. With decades of experience under my belt, I saw Franklin as the perfect opportunity to share my talents and build something meaningful.

In October 2021, I had the opportunity to make a difference in the Franklin community in a project about a full-scale statue of a United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldier. I was instrumental in taking the lead in building the base for this statue which now resides in front of the Franklin Courthouse. Being involved in the United States Colored Troops Statue, which is one of the few standalone monuments honoring the hundreds of African Americans from Williamson County and over 170,000 across the US was an incredible historical experience for me which continued to fuel the passion I developed as a youth for helping others.

What’s next?
As a life long entrepreneur, in the last 5 years, I have been able to continue to grow my business beyond graphics and design. I love cooking and learning to cook mostly from my father who was a chef for many years. With a cooking passion, I started a food truck business called “The Jiving Turkey”. I helped start a real estate business with my wife, Red Robin Reality and used my hobby skills of working on cars to start a small used car business call American Customs of Franklin. Much further in the future is plans for retirement at some point.

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