NORTHRIDGE SIGN-MAKING FIRM AN ISLAND OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Now Open

A company downsizing last year forced Hal Kameya to say goodbye to corporate America and hello - maybe that should be aloha - to life as a sign maker.

In March 1998, Kameya was laid off from his job of 22 years as a computer engineer and project manager with Citicorp, which later merged with Travelers Group Inc. to form Citigroup.

He quickly decided with the help of some good job counseling to become an entrepreneur. Two weeks ago, Kameya opened Aloha Signs & Graphics in Northridge in partnership with his wife, Ellen, a former teacher, and their 24-year-old son, Roger, a psychology graduate from California State University, Long Beach, whose hobby, his father says, is art.

``It's been exciting, really exciting,'' said Kameya, who, together with his wife, moved to Los Angeles from Hawaii about 30 years ago. ``It calls upon me and my partners to draw upon our skills that we have been exposed to all our lives.''

Aloha Signs, which operates out of a 1,350-square-foot space at 17046 Devonshire St., uses state-of-the-art computer equipment to construct vinyl-lettered signs.

He received training and help finding equipment from Sign Biz Inc., an Irvine-based international network of about 140 sign-making businesses. Start-up capital for the new business was $72,500.

Aloha Signs has already completed work for several firms and contractors, and Kameya expects to soon hire an outside sales representative to generate more business for Aloha.

``(Sign Biz) has shown that having an outside sales person makes a big difference in the volume of business that you do,'' he said.

Among other businesses that recently opened in the San Fernando Valley:

A Computer Renaissance franchise opened March 16 at 16573 Ventura Blvd., Suite 3, in Encino. The Minneapolis-based chain specializes in used and custom-built computers that can sell for as low as a few hundred dollars. The store's telephone number is [phone].

Paradiso Exotic Home Decor opened March 7 at 12345 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City. The new store specializes in furniture, art and accessories from Indonesia, but expects to add merchandise from other countries to its stock. The telephone number is [phone].

The opening of a new 99-cent Only Stores at 6755 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys on Thursday was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Mid Valley Chamber of Commerce. The discount retailer is the newest addition to the Van Nuys Boulevard corridor, which in recent years has seen a number of new developments and businesses that are helping revitalize the area.

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PHOTO (Color) Hal Kameya, right, and his son, Roger Kameya, work together at Aloha Signs & Graphics, a new sign-making firm in Northridge.

Phil McCarten/Daily News