Introducing the 'Business of Light'

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Introducing the 'Business of Light'

By Randy Reid

There is a new organization launching this fall, and we wanted to give the LEDucation audience a sneak peek. I met with the officers via Zoom last week and learned of their fascinating plans.

Chip Israel, FIALD, Lighting Design Alliance, and Steven Rosen, FIALD, Available Light, came up with the initial concept, which morphed from a way to honor Barbara Horton and Stephen Lees for their contributions to the lighting industry into an organization which will be called The Business of Light. Chip explained, “We thought the lighting industry should do something to thank them for all their contributions. Initially, we considered an endowment to the Nuckolls Fund in their names, but that usually happens in memoriam when people pass away.”

Chip and Steven discussed how much Barbara and Stephen have given back, not just by mentoring, but in sharing best business practices. That is how the idea was born. Steven said, “We wanted to do something where Barbara and Stephen could see the results and to honor their passion, which is freely giving of their knowledge.”

A group got together at Chip’s house for four days this past summer, hammering out the business plan. This fall, their dream will be launched. The Business of Light will be an educational platform focused on better business acumen. Given that good business practices are universal, BOL’s intent is to be an international community. In addition to engaging experts within the lighting industry, BOL will reach outside the lighting industry to business professionals to educate and support designers.

**Group meeting at Chip Israel's house**

Chip reminded me that the IALD has a Business Owner’s Forum which happens the first day of the IALD Enlighten Americas conference, but it is only for business owners. The Business of Light will be open to all designers, including people new to the design world. Chip remarked, “99% of us never went to school from a business standpoint. We learned how to draw dots on paper.” A major goal is to create an organization that can help designers be creative and profitable at the same time.

Barbara Horton, FIALD, CLD, retired from HLB Lighting, added, "We believe elevating business knowledge by introducing a wide range of professional consultants skilled in the many aspects of business is an essential part of the tool kit necessary to inspire future leadership. We want to ensure the future of lighting design has strong business practices to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to achieve successful and satisfying careers."

Carrie Hawley, IALD, HLB Lighting, discussed the importance of lighting designers helping themselves in the industry, explaining, “It’s not just altruistic. There are a lot of threats out there, and we need to be viable, marketable, saleable, and profitable.” She explained the need to compete effectively with the many disciplines in the industry.

I asked David Ghatan, FIALD, CLD, CM Kling, about working with existing organizations such as IES and IALD. He explained that many BOL board members have served in leadership roles in both organizations. He stated, “We want to be complementary and fill a niche that IES and IALD don’t fill, either because of bandwidth or their charter.” He also mentioned that they have kept IES and IALD abreast of their plans. In fact, BOL will be presenting the half day business workshop at the IALD Enlighten Americas this Fall.

We discussed costs, which are being sorted out now. At this point there are no plans for a membership fee. Some free materials will be available, but a tiered paid subscription may be implemented to cover costs. Much will depend on the success of their fundraising.

Carrie passionately explained the importance of maintaining accessibility. The program must provide an equal ability to participate. She commented, “It can’t be the haves and have nots, otherwise it will defeat the purpose.” But, there was consensus that participants need to have some skin in the game, thus the consideration of a subscription model.

It is clear to this writer that the focus will be on helping lighting designers lean into understanding best business practices to ensure successful careers. There is a strong belief in the ecosystem of interdependence within the lighting community, and the program will be open to manufacturer’s reps and even lighting designers that work for manufacturers. They are deliberately leaving the program wide open, as they don’t want to get tangled up in trying to define who is and isn’t a lighting designer. Steven Rosen added, “At the early phase of our development, we see limiting our services to independent lighting designers as being too limiting.”

Both Chip and Carrie discussed the trend of lighting designers leaving employment in large companies and becoming independent. Chip explained, “Our services may reassure designers that they don’t have to work for that manufacturer or electrical engineer.” Carrie added, “We hope to give them the business tools that will lead them to the satisfaction that business ownership can provide.”

"The lighting design profession is stronger and has more leverage when designers are equipped with a business mindset."

— Stephen Lees

Anna Sbokou, FIALD, ASLIght, flipped the narrative a bit, stating that the platform needs to be so inclusive that the independent lighting designer can benefit from knowledge that manufacturers have. She emphasized the importance of generating a platform that both can share, providing greater benefits for each. She believes BOL offers a real opportunity to create a different relationship between the manufacturers and designers. Stephen Lees, FIALD, retired from HLB Lighting, went one step further, stating, “The lighting design profession is stronger and has more leverage when designers are equipped with a business mindset.”

Mentorship is important to the new organization, but it won’t be their first priority. David Ghatan explained that some will receive mentorship out of group education. At this point there are no plans for one-on-one mentorship, like the IES, Silhouette Awards and Light Collective programs. However, they are open to working and cross-promoting mentorship models from other organizations.

Steven Rosen explained that lighting design in general is on a ‘skyrocketing trajectory.’ In my humble opinion, The Business of Light is the next step in the evolution of the lighting design industry. It is exactly what is needed right now. ■

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