Blogs

June Franchise of the Month – How the Smiths are Redefining Security in South Dakota

Signal, a leading physical security franchising company, takes pride in recognizing exceptional franchise owners who demonstrate unwavering dedication, outstanding performance, and remarkable growth. For June, the “Franchise of the Month” award goes to the dynamic father-son team of Wes and Weston Smith of South Dakota. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic vision, and outstanding performance. We are excited to feature their journey and celebrate their achievements. 

 
Background and Motivation 

Before venturing into the world of Signal franchising, Weston was already an established entrepreneur, running an automotive performance company, and a dog training business (which he still owns). The decision to join Signal was significantly influenced by his father, Wes, who had already begun growing a Signal franchise in Billings, Montana. Seeing the success of others and the potential to follow a proven playbook was a compelling factor. They knew that if someone could provide a process and specific steps on how to be successful, then they could do it. Wes decided to take the leap, with Weston joining later. Since that time, their franchise has tripled in size as they’ve taken on additional territories including South Dakota.  

 

A Family Affair 

Together, the Smith’s now own all of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. As the business grew, they expanded to Rapid City, South Dakota, and eventually acquired the remaining territories. Their strategy was clear: leverage the strength of the Signal brand and operational support to drive growth and success. 

“We had previously looked at many franchise companies to potentially start a second line of businesses. However, we didn’t want to do it on our own; we wanted to join an organization that wanted franchise owners to succeed,” Weston explained. “With our own business ventures, we had seen first-hand many examples of how a franchise company should not be run, and how a franchisor should not behave.”   

 

Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles 

Running a franchise spread across multiple states comes with its set of challenges, particularly staffing. However, their resilience and dedication shone through as they personally covered shifts and ensured that operations continued smoothly leading them to maintain 100% client retention.  This experience underscored the importance of strong leadership and the ability to adapt and learn from challenges. 

“Our markets are a little weird, because they are not large cities. People tend to only stay in their jobs for about four months and then hop to another job thinking their pay will continue to increase with that newly gained 4-month span of experience. A lot of times, people just don’t want to work, so we learned quickly that if we wanted good talent, we would need to offset that hurdle by increasing our starting pay rates,” said Weston. 

Weston also shared that they don’t really focus on employee retention numbers and instead focus on a higher standard of employee. They know that they’ll have turnover, but they really expect employees to tow the line. By doing that, it empowers the good employees who follow the rules, do the right thing and stay long term. That mentality will eventually create a culture that truly “sticks” and becomes the norm. They are not losing good employees, just the ones who don’t really want to work or commit long-term.  

Strategic Growth and Client Relationships 

Focusing on net profit, profitability, and efficiency has been key to their success. Weston implemented a strategy of charging clients what their services were worth, resulting in an average increase of 28% across the board. This approach not only boosted their financial performance but also helped build stronger relationships with clients who valued their premium services. 

“We went in and played hardball with our clients. We are always transparent in what it cost to pay the guards and receive our services, “this is what it costs, this is what you’re going to need to pay… if you don’t wish to do business with us, that’s fine, we wish you the best, and call us back when you’re ready. In our takeover with Sioux Falls, we increased contract amounts by 3x what they were previously paying. We stick to our guns and explain that we are a premier company, and we offer premier services, so we are going to charge a premier price. We only lost two clients by doing that, and we’ve had significant increases in our net profit,” Weston explained. 

 

Maintaining High Standards 

One of the core principles guiding their operations is maintaining high standards. This applies not only to client relationships but also to internal staff management. Wes and Weston prefer to promote from within, ensuring that only those who meet their stringent standards rise through the ranks. This approach has fostered a culture of accountability and excellence within their team. 

 

Vision and Support from Signal 

Weston credits much of their success to the support and vision of Signal’s leadership. The growth of Signal’s Home Office, from about 50 employees to around 150, has provided invaluable expertise and assistance. This support system has been crucial in navigating complex issues, from insurance to payroll, and has significantly contributed to their operational efficiency. 

 

Future Goals 

Looking ahead, their goals are ambitious. They aim to hit the $10 million across all territories with a specific target of $2.5 million in South Dakota. The focus for the coming year will be on solidifying their operations, establishing robust policies and procedures, and continuing their organic growth. 

“This year, with our focus on expansion, was just getting everything under control. We weren’t super worried about growth this year because we knew it would happen organically. It’s mostly about getting all of our locations under control, getting contracts switched over, establishing our policies and procedures, and getting everything in order,” Weston explained. 

 

Advice for Aspiring Franchise Owners 

For those just starting out, their advice is straightforward: put in the work and be patient. For those taking over an existing franchise, they recommend not being afraid to make significant changes to align with high standards. This approach attracts the right people and sets the foundation for long-term success. 

“Starting a fresh franchise – put in the work and you’ll see the results. It takes time and don’t get discouraged by the time it takes. Taking over a franchise – don’t be afraid to clean house and hire all new people. Establish a strict policy and do not waver on it. The people you’ll attract by doing that are people you want in your organization,” Weston advised. 

Winning the Franchise of the Month award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and strategic vision of Wes and Weston Smith and their South Dakota team. It’s a recognition of their efforts and serves as an inspiration for other franchise owners. Their story illustrates that even in smaller markets, exceptional performance and a commitment to excellence can lead to significant achievements. 

Want to realize your own legacy? Learn how owning a global security franchise focused on providing peace of mind can help support your vision for the future.   

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

More Articles