Carmen Ruiz Owner & Franchisee, FASTSIGNS® of Daytona Beach
Carmen Ruiz is the Owner and Franchisee of FASTSIGNS® of Daytona Beach, a role she has held since 2017. Her journey with the FASTSIGNS® brand began nearly two decades ago, during which she held a variety of roles, including Graphic Design, Production, Installation, Marketing, Sales Development, and Management. Her hands-on experience across these departments laid a strong foundation for her successful ownership. Carmen purchased this struggling center and today her center sales are 1.2 million dollars and growing.
Carmen has earned widespread recognition for both her professional accomplishments and her deep commitment to community engagement. Among her many honors are:
2021, Top 40 Most Influential Women in Volusia County - Daytona Beach New Journal
2020, Small Business Woman of the Year - Daytona Beach New Journal
2023, Most Inspirational Woman of the Year - Daytona Beach New Journal
2021 - 40 Under Forty Business Professional - Daytona Beach New Journal
2020-2024 iLatina Award Recipient (2022 - Entrepreneur of the Year & 2023 Making a Difference Recipient)
2021 -Top 7 Women in Wide Format in the Nation – BIG Picture Magazine
2023 -Corporate Citizen, City of Holly Hill
2024 - 1 Million Dollar Threshold Award, FASTSIGNS® International
2024 - Key of the City, Mayor Christopher Via City of Holly Hill
2024 - Small Business of the Year – Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce (FASTSIGNS® Daytona Beach)
FASTSIGNS®Daytona Beach has been consistently recognized by FASTSIGNS® International for its ongoingCommunity Giveback initiatives. Projects include:
Domestic violence awareness posters in public restrooms.
Care packages for Holly Hill police cruisers for when encountering young children
Installing community libraries in Daytona Beach and Holly Hill parks
Hosting a public charging station after hurricanes
Packing winter backpacks for our homeless community
Humanitarian relief efforts in Puerto Rico after earthquakes
She holds a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida and integrates these principles into her business practices.
Carmen’s civic involvement is extensive. She currently serves on:
FASTSIGNS®International Franchise Advisory Council
FASTSIGNS®International Diversity and Inclusion Council
FASTSIGNS®Franchisee Mentorship Program
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce (Executive Board of Directors, Business Impact Council, Advocacy Task Force, Cornerstone Committee)
Volusia Literacy Council Board of Directors
Domestic Violence Abuse Council of Volusia County (Executive Committee)
Daytona International Speedway’s Checkered Flag Committee
Her advocacy has taken her to Capitol Hill to speak on behalf of small businesses, franchising, and to advocate for issues in the Latin American community. She is empowered to create change and empowers her team members to give time to causes they are passionate about and funds employee-led community projects.
In summer 2025, FASTSIGNS® Daytona Beach launched its inauguralinternship program, pairing local students with staff to develop professional skills and explore careers in visual communications—an industry rich in art, technology, and design.
Carmen Ruiz continues to embody the powerful intersection of business leadership and social responsibility and impact, using her platform to inspire change and invest in her community’s future.