What does it take to build a business that survives for over 30 years through 9/11, a recession, and a global pandemic? Kevin and Tracey Kennedy know the answer, and it starts with answering the phone.
Kevin Kennedy has been creating art professionally for over 50 years. He apprenticed under one of San Diego's oldest sign painting families, then built a career as a concept artist, airbrush artist, and production supervisor for international inflatable companies. His work has appeared at Super Bowls, Olympic Games, World Cups, Sea World, and yes, even in outer space on the MIR space station in an ad for Pepsi. He also produced the award-winning documentary "Free Energy for Spaceship Earth" and serves on the Board of Directors for the Unarius Educational Foundation.
Tracey Kennedy holds two degrees from San Diego State University and spent over 15 years teaching at the college level before joining Kevin to launch Attention Getters Design in 1993. With no prior art experience, she learned sign painting and inflatable production from the ground up, then built the systems, operations, and training that run the business today. She grew into sales because nobody knows the business better, and she brings her educator's mindset to every customer interaction. Tracey is also a driving force behind the company's identity as a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry.
In this episode, Kevin and Tracey sit down with hosts Nick Dreyfus and Stephanie Deppensmith to talk about how a freelance artist and a college professor built one of East County's most respected design companies. They share the real story behind the business, including the moment Kevin decided he better start a company or Tracey would leave him, how East County became a creative hub for the inflatable industry, why their approach to customer communication separates them from 99% of their competitors, what it means to be a woman-owned business in the sign industry, how they have given back through nonprofit partnerships, charity golf tournaments, and 30 years of community referrals, the lessons they learned surviving three major economic downturns, and what the future looks like as the next generation of owners prepares to take the reins.
This is a conversation about resilience, partnership, craftsmanship, and what it really means to take care of people. Whether you are a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who just loves a great local story, this one is worth your time.
Attention Getters Design Phone: 619-441-8901 Website: attentiongetters.com Location: 1537 N. Cuyamaca St, El Cajon, CA 92020
Main Street Mavericks is the official podcast of the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Nick Dreyfus, Rick Wilson, and Stephanie Deppensmith. Every episode, we sit down with a local business leader to uncover the story behind the storefront and the impact these businesses have right here in our community.
Want to share your business story on the show? Want to become a Chamber member?
Contact Stephanie Deppensmith, Vice President of Operations at the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: 619-440-6161 Cell: 858-869-4570
Email: stephanied@eastcountychamber.org
Website: www.eastcountychamber.org
Join the Chamber: www.eastcountychamber.org/become-a-member
Address: 201 S. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
22 Min.