03/06/2026
20 Years of Steelegrafix — Thank You, Manchester!
This month, Steelegrafix celebrates 20 years in business, and we are so incredibly grateful.
It all started in 2006 on Clinton Street in the old Firehouse — a dream, two small kids, and a whole lot of hope. I remember sitting there, praying someone would walk through the door. Before that, I had spent years in the corporate world after graduating from MSU in 1992, but I always knew it wasn't where I belonged. I got tired of the red tape and the disconnect from the very customers who built those businesses. It had stopped being about people.
So I made a change. After my son was born in 2000 and my daughter in 2004, I stepped away and opened a daycare for two years — but my heart kept pulling me back to design and creativity. We took a leap of faith, and Steelegrafix was born.
A year in, Denny left Ford and joined me. People always ask how we manage to work together as a couple — honestly, it hasn't always been easy. But we've been each other's best friend from the start, and that made all the difference. Learning to share the reins was a process, but I'm so glad I did. We've grown together as true partners, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
None of this would have been possible without our friends and family, who supported us every step of the way — including helping us move from space to space more times than we can count! We also owe a heartfelt thank you to Ron Milkey, Melanie Weidmayer, Eric and Stephanie Beuerle, and John Hinkley. We were so fortunate to have landlords who believed in us and helped us get to where we are today.
What began as design, printing, and signs has grown into so much more — including our apparel line and a full range of expanded services. It would be easy to shop online or make a run to Ann Arbor, and we understand that. But to every customer who has chosen to shop local and trust us with your business — thank you. Truly.
We've had the privilege of working with businesses, coaches, players, schools, and so many individuals who make this community what it is. We've heard amazing stories — people who moved here, people who just drove through and decided to stay, people facing hard times that we were honored to support through fundraisers and donations. Every single story has meant something to us.
Manchester is something special. When this community comes together, there's nothing quite like it.
Thank you for letting us be part of your celebrations, your teams, your milestones, and your memories. We can't wait to keep going.
Go Dutch! 💙
Dawn & Denny
