Alstott, a 2003 Fort Dodge Senior High School graduate, had a general concept for her business model six years ago. She had no idea how quickly it would catch on in the community — and beyond.

“I started Pallet Junkie full-time in April 2018 after doing it part-time for the prior year,” said Alstott, a lifelong Fort Dodge resident. “I was making pallet scarecrows and snowmen for fun, and (the popularity of Alstott’s designs) started rolling from there. People wanted them and I kept making them.

“My motivation was from the customers who loved my work. That gave me the drive to keep going and making items people loved.”

Today, Alstott blends a combination of customer requests with her own concepts to keep her schedule busy and the shelves full.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Lindsay Alstott, a 2003 Fort Dodge Senior High School graduate, turned a hobby into a business with Pallet Junkie.

“I enjoy doing custom work, like personalized signs, but my absolute favorite is making signs and then selling them,” said Alstott, whose maiden name is Lindsay Hearn. “I get to use my own creativity and make things I think people will like — put my own personal touch on each and every item I make.”

There are no shortcuts in the process. Alstott paints “everything from the base color to wording.”

“The biggest misconception is that my signs are vinyl,” Alstott said. “I don’t just put a sign together on vinyl and call it good … there’s nothing wrong with that, but my product lasts years and years.

“Every item is made in-house, from cutting signs, circles and frames.”

The next goal for Alstott — who operates from her home in northwest Fort Dodge — is to branch her business into its own shop sometime down the road.

“I would love to have a small store to sell items,” Alstott said. “I’d also like to have an area to hold painting classes, which I do now at the locations of the customers.

“I’ve also expanded business by taking orders (from outside the region). I do ship across Iowa and beyond to other states.”

Pallet Junkie has a strong following on social media. The company’s Facebook page has nearly 5,000 followers, with a perfect 5-star rating. Its Instagram account is also very active, with almost 1,000 members, and the website — https://palletjunkiesigns.wixsite.com/website — displays many of the options and inventory for customer projects both big and small.

“Pallet Junkie Signs is where savvy shoppers of all interior styles discover an ever-changing and evolving selection of home decor from far and wide,” the website states. “Our selection is unique, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“We believe that your home should reflect your own personal style. Each corner of your life should be eye-catching and unique, just like you. Pallet Junkie is a home decor store, dedicated to helping our customers discover their own design personality. Browse through our wide selection today to find just what you have been searching for.”

Alstott appreciates the continued support from loyal customers throughout the region.

“I love Fort Dodge,” Alstott said. “A lot of my customers are from Fort Dodge and the neighboring towns. They support me so much, coming to craft shows and purchasing or ordering custom signs.

“In the past year, I have committed myself to donating a sign or signs to charities and organizations to help local groups or fundraisers. That is very important to me — to give back. I love to see the community grow and people come together.”

The Pallet Junkie email address is palletjunkiesigns@gmail.com. To contact Alstott, call or text 515-571-1674.