YESCO's Co-Owner Discusses His Experience On Undercover Boss

Find out what happened when Jeffrey Young, co-owner of YESCO, went undercover.

When YESCO co-owner, Jeffrey Young, went on Undercover Boss, he hoped to learn more about his custom electric-sign company, which was founded by Jeffrey’s grandfather in 1920 and created the iconic "Welcome To Las Vegas" sign in Sin City.

Once in disguise, Jeffrey went undercover to meet the employees who were keeping the lights on at his family’s ever-growing business.

See what Jeffrey had to say following this eye-opening experience.

1. Why did you want to go on Undercover Boss?

Jeffrey Young: "YESCO has offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2020. Since 2011, we have opened 45 new locations and experienced leadership changes at several of our older, more mature offices.

New technology and business practices have been implemented throughout the system. Going undercover provided the perfect opportunity for me to really see how we are performing."

2. What did you find most surprising about your Undercover Boss experience?

Jeffrey: "The experience was far more emotionally impactful than I expected. What I learned while undercover has created significant opportunities for our organization to improve relationships with both employees and customers."

3. Which employee left the biggest impact on you?

Jeffrey: "When you consider what these people have experienced—the loss of retirement funds, being homeless, overcoming the death of a child—and the personal strength of each of them, their loyalty to YESCO is overwhelming.

They all impacted me in different and dramatic ways. I now consider each a close and personal friend."

4. If you had to perform one of the jobs you learned on the show full-time, which would you choose

and why?
Jeffrey: "The adventure of sign service. With my undercover partner, Sal, as my teacher and mentor, I could learn the trade and overcome my fear of heights. We would make a great team."

5. Do you approach your job or responsibilities any differently since going undercover and walking

in the shoes of your employees? If so, how?
Jeffrey: "I make a significant number of decisions every day. Since going undercover, I have become much more thoughtful about the effect these decisions have on our employees and customers. I also realize that, as I meet with employees in remote areas of the company, they each have an important personal story that needs to be heard and celebrated."

Watch all-new episodes of Undercover Boss on Fridays at 8/7c.