LEXINGTON, Ky. — After the first shutdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lost their steady income. Mark Wombles was one of them, and he said owning three restaurants during this time has been difficult.

That’s why he and his wife Kyla decided to start a side business.

“This whole thing went down in March, when they shut down restaurants and we were all kind of stuck at home, home schooling, and I was actually kind of freaked out, like, I didn't know what the future of restaurants would be,” Mark said.

With the help of Kyla’s mom, the couple decided to start up Sweet Southern Sayin’s. Together the family of six works to create signs, deliver them, and decorate each customer's yard. 

“She said, 'hey you could do this. This will be fun, you're not actually working in people's faces when with COVID so you're outside and safe and maybe hopefully an easy way to bring smiles and also make money to make up for what he was missing,'” Kyla said.

The Wombles have delivered and set up over 300 yard signs in the Lexington area. Mark said this business has been good for them, and has given them quality time together while staying healthy at home.

The Wombles said their yard sign business has been a great way to bring happiness to those in their community during these tough times.

“It's been wonderful for people, I can't tell you how many people have thanked me just just for making their day better, and just makes them smile,”  Kyla said.