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Franchise of the Month: Persevering Towards Success in Corpus Christi

“You can’t do it by yourself, there’s just no way.”

Chuck Walsh, owner of Signal of Corpus Christi knows firsthand the value of having a good team behind you. He first heard about Signal in 2019 and was intrigued by the idea.

“I thought to myself, I don’t need to buy a franchise, I can do that on my own,” he said. “I started the ball rolling but then realized I was so wrapped around the back axle dealing with all the back office stuff, I had no time to do sales and didn’t have a script. There were just lots of things I didn’t have. So, I put it on the shelf and basically threw my hands up.”

A year later he got another phone call from Signal and this time he was ready. Walsh, a former Sheriff’s deputy and current Officer in the Coast Guard Reserves, launched his franchise in March 2020, right as the Coronavirus pandemic was starting. He’ll be the first to say that the timing wasn’t great.

“Two weeks after launching everything was shut down,” Walsh said. “I had one client at the time, so I worked every night. I did four patrols a night and they probably got more value out of me than they paid for but I took good care of them. After about three months they decided to cancel so then I had nothing. Offices were shut down, there were no sales going on, and everybody was scared.”

Around the same time Walsh was recalled to active duty in the Coast Guard. That lasted six months, after which he came home and recommitted to building up his franchise again.

“Everything was still shut down, but I had one person reach out to me,” he said. “He wanted patrols and for about 5 months I had one patrol client. Then I had someone else reach out for Spring Break and landed two dedicated jobs, but now I couldn’t find anybody to help me, I was a one-man show.”

During this time Walsh worked from noon to 5:30 A.M. covering two separate dedicated sites an hour outside the city and his patrol route in Corpus Christi. Although his business is successful today, Walsh said the future did not always look as bright back then.

“There were times I was going to give up,” he said. “But one of the things I realized is that the results you get today are from the effort you put in two or three months ago. So, keeping that in mind has kind of forced me to keep looking forward and moving forward. I can’t go out today and make a sale and expect to see the money tomorrow. But I realized the effort I put in today will show me results in two or three months.”

2021 proved to be a turning point for Walsh’s business and he was able to hire his first employee in July of that year. Today, the franchise is averaging $60K a month in revenue and they’ve started a major contract with the city of Corpus Christi. Walsh’s perseverance and hard work are two of the reasons he’s been chosen as Signal’s Franchise of the Month for February 2023.

“He was faced with a huge challenge,” said Reed Nyffeler, Signal CEO. “Launching the business, trying to get contracts and everything’s shut down with COVID. But nonetheless, he continued to persevere, his passion never faded and that’s key as a franchise owner, and ultimately, he was successful.”

After starting out completely on his own, Walsh understands the value of having a team with him. Over the last year, he’s been able to build his team out to include several Coordinators and Branch Supervisors.

“You have to have a good team around you, you just have to,” he said. “Everybody here is doing a great job and I feel blessed they’re with me, Aaron, Connor, Gavin, Noe. It’s all a learning process but we’ve had guys come in as shy little officers and we get them into different positions. They become more outspoken and learn and embrace it. I’ve watched people grow and it’s great to see.”

Since he first tried to enter the security business on his own, Walsh says he has a greater appreciation for the Signal Franchise Model as well.

“The franchise system, and especially the Home Office, they’ve provided this support system for us and I’ve noticed it big time,” he said. “When I tried to do it myself and failed and fell flat on my face, I did not have a support system. I found myself having to do everything. So that’s where this model is so valuable. You’ve got people around you to provide help, all you have to do is take it and run with it.”

If you’re interested in joining Team Signal, begin your journey to success by applying to become a Franchise Owner.

Passion Award: Stephen Hayes
Signal of El Paso, TX & Signal of Greater Albuquerque, NM  


At Signal, we drive with passion in everything we do because passion connects people to purpose. 

Stephen Hayes exemplifies this every day. A positive and giving leader, Stephen is a role model to others in the network. He stays closely connected to the Home Office, ensuring he is personally executing operational details with excellence and accuracy. 

Beyond his own market, Stephen is always willing to lend advice and support anyone in the network who needs it, while maintaining strong results in his markets. His dedication, energy, and consistent positive attitude make him a powerful example of what it means to lead with passion. 

Honesty & Integrity Award: Jonas Palmer
Signal of Northwest Tennessee & Signal of Jackson, MS 

We live in honesty and integrity because without it, our company and our brand are hollow. 

Jonas Palmer has taken on some of our most challenging markets and turned them around in a remarkably short time. He leads from the front, never asking his team to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself. 

When feedback comes from the Home Office, whether operational or financial, Jonas responds with transparency and immediate follow-through. His professionalism, accountability, and respect in every interaction set a high standard for reliability and trust. 

Relationships Award: Mike Kosmet
Signal of Michigan 

We build relationships because healthy success can only be created with mutual respect for others. 

Mike Kosmet has demonstrated consistent success for more than a decade. He understands that collaboration fuels progress, as shown in his partnership with our Milwaukee office, which helped drive a significant market turnaround. 

Personable, responsive, and easy to work with, Mike prioritizes communication and follow-through. His ability to engage his team and work alongside peers has contributed to doubling the size of his business this year. He proves that strong relationships are a competitive advantage. 

Serving Award: Shane Wimer
Signal of Nebraska 

We serve our communities without hesitation because serving is the active ingredient in service. 

Shane Wimer led the development of Code Enforcement as a new service offering, generously sharing his entire process with the Home Office and fellow franchisees. His collaboration helped create sales and training materials that are driving growth across the network. 

He knows his officers by name and genuinely cares about their success, which is reflected in his team’s outstanding retention rates. Shane’s ability to balance strong financial performance with a people-first mindset makes his franchise a model for serving both community and team. 

Learning Award: Dan Liotta
Signal of Central and Northern Virginia  

We learn something every day by holding an open-minded approach to everything we do. 

Since joining Signal in 2023, Dan Liotta has made a significant impact. As a strategic and thoughtful leader, he delivers strong results and exceptional customer service by staying focused on sustainable growth. 

Dan is constantly seeking ways to improve his operations and bring more value to his market. His visionary mindset and commitment to continuous improvement remind us that growth begins with a willingness to learn.

Core Champion Award: Haris Johnson
Signal of Washington, D.C. 

While each award represents a specific value, the Core Champion brings them all together. 

Haris Johnson represents the full Signal mission in every aspect of his business. He makes a lasting impression in every interaction, from how he supports his officers to the passion he brings to serving clients. 

He is always exploring new ideas to improve his franchise and shows genuine appreciation for others across the network. His commitment to his team, his clients, and the future of Signal makes him a true Core Champion. 

Congratulations! 

These winners represent what makes Signal different. Our Core Values – Passion, Honesty & Integrity, Relationships, Serving, and Learning – are the foundation of how we operate and how we grow.  

To our 2025 Core Award winners: thank you for leading by example and for showing what it truly means to live the Signal mission.

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