Page 41 - enLIGHTenment Magazine - September 2017

retail spotlight

under the Balls’ ownership.
Since David had been with Lights Unlimited for

approximately 20 years as the rm’s CPA, he al-
ready had a solid idea of how the business was run

nancially as well as from a vendor and customer
service standpoint. He also has prior experience

in developing land and commercial real estate in

the area and remains active in that sector.
A er earning her culinary degree, Michele

Ball was enjoying her career as a chef, but she
was game to take on the new endeavor. She im-

mediately began studying the American Lighting

Association (ALA) educational programs and
received her Lighting Specialist (LS) designation

within six months of coming onboard at Lights
Unlimited.

“I’m very people-oriented; it keeps me ground-

ed,” Michele says of working in the showroom
business. “I’ve learned that lighting is an art.” Her

love of cooking – which is also a form of creative
expression – has found its way into the job as

well. One of the showrooms features a beautifully

appointed working kitchen that not only demon-
strates lighting techniques, but comes into service

when hosting hospitality events for the community
(i.e. interior designers, home builders, consumers).

Helping bolster the company’s design credibility

is renowned interior designer Louise Davis, who
handles the Wake Forest location. Before joining

Lights Unlimited, Davis’ interior design work had
been published in Coastal Living and Builder+

Architect magazines and she has appeared on

NBC’s George to the Rescue as well as served as
a contributing designer on HGTV’s Love It or List for clients. “LEDs have made a big impact on build- top: A selection of crystal
xtures in an array of styles
It series, which lmed in North Carolina in 2015. ers, especially when it comes to energy rebates,” faces the street, helping to
Playing to Davis’ strengths and following, the she states. Interest in connected wi- systems (i.e.
a ract passersby (especially
Wake Forest store holds many design-oriented smart lighting, heating/cooling, security) is also an when illuminated at night).

events and draws a clientele seeking edgier looks.
increasing interest among customers.
at lEft: One way to give
Around the Garner showroom, which is Lights Another thing that is “growing” is the com-
new life to a xture that has
Unlimited’s agship, the new construction market pany itself. The Garner showroom was recently been in the store for awhile
is booming. “The amount of permits being issued awarded the Summit Award for Steady Growth & is to out t it with unique
bulbs. “We will change bulbs
is up and the work is steady. We have lot of homes Achievement by the Chamber of Commerce.
around in a heart beat,”
in the pipeline,” Ball comments, adding that the Helping to manage all of that growth and as- Howard notes. “Bulbs have
area a racts both tract and custom builders. sisting in organizing the lighting packages for 40+ become the shades and

Fortunately the sta at Lights Unlimited is easily parade of homes that Lights Unlimited is involved globes of the 2000s. It’s
able to anticipate the needs of builders targeting a in each year is just one part of Howard’s duties. about picking your bulb now,
not the shades/globes.”
variety of homebuyers, from rst-timers to empty Juggling builder requirements along with helping

nesters.
individual clients with their lighting needs is in- at right: Lights Unlimited
“The trick is ge ing to the architects before- tense work, but Howard is up to the task — he has doesn’t shy away from dis-
playing whimsical shapes (i.e.
hand,” Ball says regarding how comprehensive spent the majority of his life in the industry and is
and thorough of a lighting plan can be developed
an expert in nding zen amid any chaos. “Without
the jelly sh-like pendants)
and cu ing-edge styles.

september 2017 | enLIGHTenment magazine 39