Army Veteran Opens Signarama in East Meadow After 11 Years of Service

Garmani Maw took an early retirement package from the federal government in 2025 to open Signarama East Meadow. The 48-year-old U.S. Army veteran now runs the custom signage and branding shop in East Meadow, New York. He serves clients across Long Island, including businesses, schools, and public agencies. This move marks the end of his time in civilian government service, which included roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Archives and Records Administration.

Maw enlisted in the Army in 2008, motivated by his interest in American history and two specific historical events. He arrived in the United States from Myanmar as an international student in 1996. The destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan by the Taliban in 2001 and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, solidified his decision to serve. Despite family concerns about the risks, he joined the military during the height of the Afghanistan war.

His active duty service lasted three years. Maw was assigned to South Korea and Germany rather than Afghanistan, where he had hoped to deploy. An injury prevented him from attending Officer Candidate School. He subsequently served five years in the Army Reserve to complete his commitment. Maw now lives in Manhattan and commutes daily to his office in East Meadow. He and his wife have two sons, ages 5 and 7.

Before opening his own business, Maw worked as an IT engineer for the National Archives and Records Administration. He handled technology infrastructure, servers, and databases. He previously worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which kept him connected to fellow service members. The idea of ownership persisted throughout his federal career. In 2025, he accepted the retirement package to pursue that ambition.

Maw said convincing his wife was the largest challenge in starting the business. He stated that getting his family on board accounted for 70% of the effort. He still experiences moments of uncertainty but relies on the determination he developed in the military. He describes the mindset as having extra muscle, where one does not turn back until the mission is finished.

Signarama offers veterans a 20% discount on its franchise fee. A.J. Titus, president of Signarama, said military service prepares individuals for franchise ownership. Titus cited leadership, discipline, teamwork, and adaptability as key skills developed in the military. Maw’s company is designated as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. This status has opened doors to opportunities, though he has not yet secured a government contract through it.

Maw has already completed projects for local public institutions. He worked with the Nassau County Police Academy on its End of Watch wall of honor. The wall recognizes officers who died in the line of duty. His business has also provided services to schools and fire departments. Having worked on the government side of contracting, Maw aims to emphasize quality and accountability in his public projects. He wants to close the gap he sees in some government contracts by delivering work that goes above expectations.

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 1.6 million veteran-owned businesses generate $1 trillion in annual sales. These businesses contribute $179 billion in payroll and employ approximately 3 million workers. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler recently recognized these contributions. She stated that veteran entrepreneurs are problem solvers and team builders who drive innovation.