KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For around 60 years, Jim McMichael has been doing what he loves — art.
He returned to Knoxville in 1964 after serving in the Marine Corps. He said his passion for art and his knowledge of signs combined to help him build his business from the ground up — Jim McMichael Signs and Truck Painting.
"It's been a good business. It's been a hard business, but we've made it work," he said. "When we started, I worked out the trunk of my car. Then, worked out of my basement for a while. Then, I rented a building and had one employee, and we just kept going from there."
He now owns a 15,000-square-foot shop and runs his business alongside his family and around 30 employees. He said he takes pride in the quality of his work, and in the relationships he's built over the years. He also said he credits his customers for sticking with him, and with family-owned businesses over the years.
"It's a good challenge, but it's gratifying to come from the trunk of a car to having a place like this," he said. "We don't give them the opportunity to leave. If they leave, we have done something wrong. We make sure we got it right to begin with."
He also said he owes a lot of credit to his family, who also helped him grow the business.
"People always say to me, often, 'How is it to work with your husband, with your dad, with your son?' And it is a joy, it is a blessing to be able to do that," said Kelly Kramer, McMichael's daughter. "I'm so proud of what dad's accomplished over 60 years, and just to see our business grow over that time has been wonderful."
McMichael said he has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, helping to keep him active and alert as the business continues to grow.