Renee Friedman highlighted as one of six women for work in her craft
(ORLANDO, FL) October 29, 2025 — Big Picture Magazine, one of the leading publications in the wide-picture format printing industry, has awarded Renee Friedman the honor of the 2025 Women in Wide Format Award.
For a decade, this award has highlighted significant women in the industry for their innovation, leadership, mastery of the craft and social responsibility. In order to receive the award, recipients must be nominated by colleagues, employees, vendors or other industry observers.
“Known for her ‘never say no’ mindset, Renee embraces challenges, invests in new technology, and leads with a passion for mentorship and community engagement,” writes Marcia Derryberry, editor-in-chief of Big Picture Magazine. “Her commitment to learning, networking, and customer service continues to shape her business and inspire the next generation of sign and graphics professionals.”
Renee started off as a customer service representative in 1987, at the fourth FASTSIGNS® location in Dallas. She initially worked for Dr. Pepper after getting her degree in business management. At the time, her friend was doing graphic design for FASTSIGNS®, and Renee found herself fitting in at the center. Over time, she felt empowered by the opportunity that came with entrepreneurship as a FASTSIGNS® franchisee, as it paved the way for her to sustain herself as a single mom to a daughter. Through achievements like these, she hopes to empower women to do the same.
“This industry is about more than just selling a sign — it’s about helping communities and clients through creativity and problem-solving,” Renee explains. “I encourage new team members to focus on helping people, not just meeting sales goals.”
Renee attributes her success to her customer-centric, growth-focused approach; it’s never about the money, but about helping the client achieve their vision, through whatever means. That often means being open to seeking help and desiring to grow, whether it be attending the FASTSIGNS® conventions year after year or participating in groups like Women of FASTSIGNS®.
“Our goal is to help clients grow and achieve their objectives, building relationships based on trust. That’s why we train and coach our team to develop strong customer relationships, create unique ideas, and deliver work clients can depend on.”