By Surbhi Gogia,
Ronit Jassal is a second-generation entrepreneur who proudly carries forward the legacy of Jassal Signs, a business well-recognized in the South Asian community, particularly among small business owners. What sets Ronit apart is not merely that he inherited the family business—it is the bold and enterprising spirit with which he has taken it to new heights at a remarkably young age.
In an interview with Drishti, Ronit spoke candidly about his entrepreneurial journey—one that began when he was still in high school. While many of his peers were navigating teenage dilemmas, Ronit was already launching his business venture. Since then, he has not only expanded his father’s enterprise but has done so while simultaneously pursuing a full-time college degree.
Ronit attributes his success to the foundational values instilled in him by his father: hard work, consistency, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. These principles, he says, are the bedrock upon which Jassal Signs was built. However, Ronit added his modern touch, introducing dynamic marketing strategies, leveraging the power of social media, and embracing digital tools to connect with a broader audience.
“I believe that taking risks early in life can yield greater rewards,” Ronit says. “When you’re young, you have less to lose and more time to recover. That’s when you should dream big and dare even bigger.”
His father, Harjinder Jassal, founded the company in 2006 after immigrating to Canada. He co-founded it as a signage business in India with his brother. Over the last three decades, the company has become a trusted name for producing signage that illuminates storefronts, offering more than just visibility but a lasting impression for businesses, even after hours.
Born in 2005 and raised in Surrey, Ronit grew up immersed in conversations about design, clients, and business strategy. Over the years, Jassal Signs became a household name. Still, Ronit’s journey stands out not because he inherited a successful business but because of how he chose to shape and expand it. He believes legacy is not built by inheritance but by innovation and dedication.
“It’s not what you acquire but what you do with it that makes the difference,” he says.
Starting early and staying focused helped him gain confidence and momentum. “Among my friends and cousins, people dreamt of becoming engineers, doctors, or actors. But I always saw myself in business,” he said.
At 15, instead of immediately joining the signage business, Ronit identified a gap in the market through his real estate connections. He saw his realtor relatives struggle to find unified marketing services and decided to offer a one-stop solution. He launched Chroma Studios in Grade 11, a digital services firm offering real estate marketing content, listings, social media management, photography, and print materials—all under one roof.
Today, Ronit is pursuing a full-time Bachelor’s degree in Business at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) while managing Chroma Studios and Jassal Signs.
“I didn’t wait for the perfect time. If you keep procrastinating, you’ll never feel ready. Starting early gave me room to grow, experiment, and learn.”
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Don’t wait to feel ready. Take the first step, and build as you go. Surround yourself with people who guide and challenge you. These are the best years to take risks because responsibilities are still manageable. If not now, then when?”
The same ideology is helping Ronit to expand his father’s business to new horizons by diversifying the signage business and leveraging technology.
Initially, Jassal Signs started offering different signage services in one Surrey location. Ronit’s father had made Jassal Signs a household name amongst small businesses. Offering the bold dimensionality of 3D Channel Letters, the glowing Light Boxes, or the timeless elegance of Neon Signs, Jassal Signs brings brands to life. Whether it’s the Outdoors, Metal Signs that withstand the elements, or Marquee Letters with Jassal Signs, businesses make a statement.
Under Ronit’s leadership, Jassal Signs has grown beyond Surrey, expanding to new locations in Abbotsford, Cloverdale, and two sites in Alberta. A U.S. location in California is also on the horizon. Ronit credits this expansion to the adoption of technology and social media, something his father’s generation didn’t see the dawning of this technology.
Ronit says reaching out to more customers and expanding into new markets was all made possible due to technology and social media. “My father’s generation did not grow up with technology. The business promotion was all through word of mouth in a tight-knit business. For our generation, technology is inseparable. I brought in more technology in printing, expanding market outreach with social media, which made all the difference.
He diversified the business to other services and tapped more businesses from communities other than Punjabis. “We specialize in crafting custom vehicle wraps for personal and business purposes. No matter the size or type of your vehicle, our team ensures a perfect blend of style and visibility, turning every drive into an opportunity to showcase your brand or personal flair.”
“We’ve started offering custom vehicle wraps, marketing materials such as business cards, menus, flyers, wall wraps, and more. We now cater to a wider customer base, including communities beyond Punjabis—like the Korean and Filipino communities—and we’re getting government contracts.”
The company’s tagline, “From Conception to Completion,” reflects its full-service approach: “Some clients don’t even know what they want. Our creative team helps bring their ideas to life. From design and printing to final installation, we ensure quality at every step.”
Ronit enumerates the whole lowdown of what their company does: “At Jassal Signs, we bring your ideas to life. From Conception to Completion. Specializing in design, printing, and fabrication, we create captivating signage that enhances your brand. Experience seamless quality and creativity, ensuring your vision becomes a stunning reality. Trust us for impactful, professionally crafted signage solutions. We strive to lead the industry by delivering high-quality products and pushing the boundaries of design, craftsmanship, and technology to help our clients stand out and succeed in the market.”
Despite his age, Ronit acknowledges that gaining trust in the industry hasn’t always been easy. “The biggest challenge is being taken seriously as a young entrepreneur. People often associate age with experience. But people trust you if you show up, deliver quality work, and stay consistent.”
Building credibility, he says, is not a one-time achievement—it has to be earned and maintained with every project. “You have to repeatedly prove yourself to different people differently.”
Juggling school and business, Ronit says it comes down to discipline. “Yes, it gets hard. But I’ve learned to manage my time. School is temporary—just four years. If I make sacrifices now, it sets me up for the rest of my life. Some days, I attend classes during the day and head straight to work afterward.”
He attributes his work ethic to his parents, especially his father, Harjinder Jassal, who remains his biggest inspiration. “My parents are my role models. And I draw motivation from anyone who has achieved something through hard work.”
Outside of business, Ronit is also passionate about giving back. His company supports local charities and sponsors community events across the Lower Mainland. He’s enthusiastic about supporting young entrepreneurs and urges them to chase their goals without hesitation.
“If you have a dream, pursue it. Young people today have more access to tools and platforms than ever before. Technology and social media have leveled the playing field. You don’t need a massive company to make an impact—what matters is how you use what you have.”
Ronit describes himself in three words: Motivated, confident, and creative.
He believes confidence is key to speaking, carrying oneself, and adapting in any room. Outside of work and studies, Ronit enjoys boxing and is currently training for his next fight, which is scheduled for the end of summer. He also likes dining at steakhouses—his favorite being Black + Blue in downtown Vancouver. Though not a big reader, he enjoys watching horror films and is inspired by athletes like Kobe Bryant for their commitment to self-improvement.
Indeed, where some inherit legacies and preserve them, Ronit has chosen to transform his inheritance into a launchpad, proving that with the right mix of tradition and innovation, the sky is the limit.
