Surviving in the Business (of Lighting Design)

Many years ago…starting a business, full of dreams…

This year marks my 45th year in the business of lighting design of which the last 30 odd years as a business owner. It is probably an achievement to have survived for so long, as I know that many entrepreneurs that start a business actually never make it. In my blogs I generally talk about knowledge subjects related to lighting design, general lighting application issues or trends of interest, rarely do we talk about what it is and means to run a business, making sure your staff is well looked after and the company provides a stable environment for doing business. After all lighting design like any other discipline is a business with a bottom line.

Many of my fellow generation lighting designers who started in the 70’s and 80’s have had, at some point, to deal with the “what now” question. Whether it was following a setback or success that required action, a decision to cut costs, hire new staff or expand or even move office. These decisions have nothing to do with lighting design but everything with business acumen, management and human resource management. I run my small team like a family, we have each other’s back and support each other in good and bad times. I can only imagine what it is to run a company of hundreds or thousands of people.

For those that run their own practice this will probably resonate. Regardless of the size of your company you need to always be forward thinking, be prepared, anticipate, back and motivate your team, but most of all show trust and reason. We all make mistakes (I certainly made many), but this is part of learning and growing. Mistakes are not a reason for punishment, they give the opportunity to resolve and learn together, grow together and become better.

Creative people are not necessarily good business people and vice versa, in fact it is rare the two qualities exist in one person. I learned the pitfalls of politics and business the hard way being at the edge of bankruptcy at one point of time, courtesy of my inexperience. I had failed but also very successful projects, had a failed marriage not being able to balance family and work demands, but also created long life relationships in the process. Finding the work life balance is not easy, certainly when you go out on your own and become sole responsible for your business, your income and the people that depend on it.     

Today I feel comfortable in my role as leader of the company, I have seen it all, been there, done that, except for one thing…

There will be a time where you have to let go and for those who are in a similar position where your work is your passion, having build the company to where it is today, this might be the hardest step to make. It is not only about yourself, it is about your legacy and most of all the team that you have built to continue that legacy.