Cornhole, graphics business honors owner’s stepfather
Brittany Banger was concerned the two businesses she started to honor her stepfather’s legacy would not survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2019, Banger started Home Grown Graphics and The Big J’s Cornhole in her home at 8103 S. Industrial Drive in Cedar Hill.
The ventures were new versions of companies her stepfather, Jason Helferstay, had operated before he died of cancer in June 2019.
“I promised I would carry on his legacy,” said Banger, who operates her businesses with help from her fiance, Matt McKenna. “In March, everything stopped for six weeks, and that was really scary.”
Banger said HG Graphics, which provides fleet wrapping for tractor trailers, vehicle branding, architectural and decor designs and makes signs and displays, had about $15,000 worth of orders that it could not complete, partly because some customers canceled orders as the economy took a downturn.
She said luckily the trucking industry still needed its graphic services, including special stenciling jobs that allow interstate travel.
“If it wasn’t for them, we probably wouldn’t have survived,” Banger said.
In May, Banger said the other business, a cornhole game production company, was flooded with orders.
“After everyone had been quarantined for about six weeks, I guess they decided that cornhole was something to do,” Banger said. “It spiked like crazy. It was neat, because everyone is spending time with their families.”
Banger said during the height of summer, The Big J’s Cornhole – the “J” is in honor of her stepfather – had to hire five employees to keep up with orders.
Banger said most customer interactions are contactless and when she does meet face-to-face with clients, social distancing precautions are followed.
