Today we’d like to introduce you to Nofal Dawahra
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Kissimmee. Over the years, I moved around—Orlando, LA, then back again. Most of my background is in commercial real estate. It gave me a solid business base, but more than anything, it taught me how to work with people and understand what a community really needs.
I got into printing because I noticed a gap. There weren’t many local spots offering everything in one place—shirts, signs, embroidery, promo items. I saw a chance to build something useful for other small businesses, dependable, and easy to work with.
2024 was a big year—I got engaged and became a dad. Life’s busier, but in a good way. When I can, I’m on the golf course or riding motorcycles—anything that keeps me on my toes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s had its ups and downs for sure. I moved to the U.S. not speaking English, and growing up in a single-parent home with three siblings definitely kept things interesting. But those early experiences taught me a lot—mainly how to stay flexible, work hard, and figure things out.
I eventually found my way into real estate around 2012. It gave me a solid foundation and taught me a lot about business and people. But over time, I realized the constant grind wasn’t lining up with the kind of life I wanted—especially with a growing family.
Starting my own business came with its own learning curve—equipment issues, vendor hiccups, figuring out the right team—but that’s all part of the process. And in 2024, we added a new chapter: we had our first baby in September. Juggling business and family has its moments, but it’s been worth every bit of it.
It’s not always smooth, but I’ve learned a ton along the way—and I’m still learning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We kicked things off in January 2024 out of the Genesis Orlando Sportsplex (used to be RDV). Made our first sale on February 9 with just an Epson printer, a laminator, and a plotter. That was it.
From day one, the goal was simple—take care of people, do quality work, and get things done quickly. Most of our growth has come from word-of-mouth, local networking, and community events, which have helped us grow faster than we expected.
Now, just over a year in, we’ve added more equipment, expanded what we offer, and built a small team. What started as just two of us is now two full-time employees and an intern who recently went part-time.
We’ve worked on some cool projects—local businesses, sports teams, custom gear for events. No two days are the same, and that’s what makes it fun.
We’re still figuring things out as we go, but it’s been a solid ride so far, and we’re excited to keep it moving.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is being able to live life on my own terms. It’s about providing for my family, spending time with them, and still doing work I care about.
It’s also about growing—learning new things, getting better, and staying motivated to keep building. If I’m moving forward and enjoying the process, that feels like success.
And working with good people, supporting the community, helping others along the way—that all matters too.
At the end of the day, I just want to build a life I’m proud of. One where I’m present at home, making progress at work, and doing something that actually means something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ontopprintingandsigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontopprintingandsigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontopprints
Image Credits
Dawn Aiello Photography
