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)
- 2025 - Hometown Hero Recipient, Juneteenth Committee
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.
