Lighting with Lisa: The Lighting Podcast

Who has time for marketing? You do! In this episode, with a powerful assist from Zelle Duda of Lighting and Bulbs Unlimited in Charlotte, NC, I discuss five easy ways to create impactful marketing for your business that will pay off time and time again. There's a learning curve and time investment, but once you have your building blocks in place, maintenance is the easy part. Interested in re...

In a follow up to last week's episode "Is the Lighting Industry in Danger," I share some real, actionable items that we can pursue as an industry to provide stability and support for the independent lighting showroom distribution channel and safeguard our mutual futures and success.  Have feedback or insight to share? Please reach me @lisalightslife or via email lisa@lsalights.org....

Are we collectively ignoring real threats to the lighting industry via factories selling direct to consumer and a million other tiny challenges that are chipping away at manufacturers and independent lighting showrooms alike?  This week, I'm asking this tough question and urging conversations and collaboration to safeguard the future of the lighting industry.  Your feedback is valued and impo...

Let's talk about it -- as an industry, we need to share information better and faster. From Lightovation attendance to pricing changes, there is so much room for improvement and increased engagement in the lighting industry. So let's get sharing and working together! Finally, a beautiful lighting philosophy statement from Cole Semanko of Vintage Fans & More. Thanks for listening, sup...

Our first light file this week is on my own personal lighting philosophy; I hope you'll find something of interest and I would love to hear from you on what your personal lighting philosophy is (please message or email me). The second light file is my (potentially) unpopular opinion on the necessity of having an electrician/service tech on every independent lighting showroom staff.  As always...

We start this week with a discussion of the timely receipt of information and how many of us have become "margin erosion" managers in our day-to-day jobs more than we might like. Our discussion then becomes theoretical - how do you collaborate everyday with your mistakes (and successes)? Lastly, let me know what your lighting philosophy is! Please email or message me and I thank you for...

The outpouring of support after last week's episode was tremendous and makes me remember why I love what I do and what a great industry lighting is. There are challenges, and I'll discuss more than a few in this episode, but if we work together to elevate our industry as a whole; well, success for everyone going to be the outcome. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the Lig...

Y'all... I'm stressed! And here to talk all about it! What does the future hold long-term for the independent lighting showroom distribution channel? And what are we working on now to ensure our long-term viability? Where do we go from here? Let's get the conversations going! Also, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, it goes up every Tuesday morning. Follow us on Instagram @...

I spend much of this episode on a deep dive on logistics issues and the pain this is causing all of us, especially inside showrooms. It seems better, more fluid communication might be the answer. I would love to hear your thoughts on this and tips on how you're keeping a positive attitude and great mental energy as we ride out the end of this pandemic. You can find me on Instagram @lightfiles...

You know those moments when you're at your worst? Why do we have them and what are we really feeling and protecting? How do we turn the most frustrating moments as leaders into something awesome and positive for ourselves and our businesses? Join me in the conversation @lightfiles on Instagram or reach out via email. Your feedback is so important and please don't forget to share with a f...

How do we as an industry move the needle to increase light fixture allowances? Increased budgets lead to increased sales for all of us, so it seems a team effort would help the cause. What do you think about allowances? Where do you see opportunities to course correct? Let me know your thoughts @lightfiles and thanks for listening!  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

Communication is critical plus an update with additional details on our conversation on restock fees. Also - data! The more we look at this topic, the more important it clearly is to our success as independent lighting showrooms. A quick revisit today with more to come in future episodes. Please follow us on Instagram @lightfiles and if you're enjoying the podcast, tell a friend!  Fixture Fin...

How did you learn to lead your small business? School? Family? You're just a natural? I take a deep dive this week on my own journey, which was harder than I expected to discuss! Please excuse my nervousness in this episode and let me know about your own journey, I'd love to revisit this topic with even more opinions and views to discuss.  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

This week we are discussing everyone's favorite topic: restock fees for returns! Ranging from negligible to a whopping 35% for brand-new-in-the-box returned fixtures, it seems that a common ground awaits us on this issue, we just have to compromise and find it. Let me know what you think and thanks for listening! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

I had a few more thoughts on customer relationships to share and then I recap a  recent post in the Lighting Showroom Association private Facebook group, answering the question:  One year shutdown anniversary. What is your biggest takeaway from the pandemic year for your business?   Please let me know your feedback and thoughts and thank you so much for listening to Light Files! Fixture Finder Lig...

After promoting the Lighting Showroom Association's upcoming networking event, I give a quick update on March Lightovation, and then dive into our topics this week: Meeting Customers Where They Are and Digital Marketing Strategy. Thanks for the listen, please subscribe & send your feedback and thoughts for future episodes! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

This week I'm taking a deep dive on a subject near and dear to my heart, DATA! How we get data, when, and how it is formatted are all critical to our operations. We all love the partnerships forged in our industry. How do we build upon those partnerships to get everyone what they need to successfully sell and run their businesses? Can't wait to hear your feedback! Find me @lisalightslife...

Welcome to Light Files! In Episode One, I discuss my thoughts on COVID fatigue as a business owner and the Lightovation Market schedule for 2021.  Small edit on my COVID discussion: my showroom is located in a state that has been open with mask and social distance rules since May 2020, which definitely colors my perspectives here. I would love to hear about other experiences! Find me @lisalightsli...

My weekly lighting podcast is for everyone in and around the lighting industry! Join me as we discuss relevant topics and all the news that's fit for illumination!  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa