by Chris Kappes
Selling a successful business to private equity often signifies a moment of triumph, where owners part ways with a hefty payout and newfound leisure. But for Doug Hughes, President of ColorCraft, the tale took an unexpected turn.
Hughes found himself grappling with an unfamiliar sensation after relinquishing his thriving enterprise, DesignShop, to two private equity groups in May 2016. “I loathed retirement,” Hughes confesses.
Fast forward to 2020.
Hughes embarks on a bold endeavor, reacquiring DesignShop and rechristening it as ColorCraft. His mission? To rekindle the flame of DesignShop’s legacy, preserving its sterling reputation for design prowess, fabrication finesse, and manufacturing excellence.
Headquartered in Orlando, and with satellite offices in St. Louis and Las Vegas, ColorCraft offers a full range of services, including 3D design, custom fabrication and rentals for trade show booths, graphics, corporate interiors, themed environments, and mobile marketing campaigns.
GROWTH=EXPANSION
Returning to the tradeshow arena, Hughes swiftly recognized that their current facility posed a bottleneck to growth, hindering their ability to cater to an ever-expanding clientele. The solution? A sprawling new facility. “We hit a ceiling with our previous space,” Hughes reflects. “Our new 100,000-square-foot facility, conveniently situated minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, empowers our burgeoning team, facilitates concurrent project execution, and augments our manufacturing and fabrication capabilities.” ColorCraft’s new facility is located at 857 East Crown Point Rd., Ocoee, FL.
FATE AND FAMILY INTERVENES
In a delightful twist of fate, reigniting a once-owned company paved the path for familial involvement. ColorCraft mirrors the event industry trend, transitioning from founder-led enterprises to second-generation family ventures. Davis Hughes, Doug’s son and current VP of Sales, alongside his brother Grant Hughes, serving as a Project/Operations Manager, now stand shoulder to shoulder with Doug and the rest of the team. “Our expansion is a pivotal milestone. Armed with enhanced resources and space, we’re poised to elevate the caliber of experiences we craft for our clients,” Hughes remarks.
Yet, “full circle” bears deeper significance for Hughes than a mere business resurgence. It ignites aspirations of acquiring another tradeshow agency in a burgeoning expo market and endowing a Bachelor of Science in Event Management scholarship at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida (UCF).
Full circle has its rewards. Giving back does as well.
For more information visit: colorcraft3D.com.
