SterlingLighting

The Lighting Coach

Business EN ↓ 7 episodes

Helping lighting professionals design better, sell smarter, and grow stronger. Hosted by Patrick Harders, CEO of Sterling Lighting and owner of Dayloom, The Lighting Coach Podcast is the ultimate resource for landscape lighting professionals looking to elevate their craft and stay ahead of industry trends. Featuring expert insights, real-world success stories, and game-changing strategies, this podcast is built by pros, for pros—because great lighting isn’t just about fixtures, it’s about mastering the business behind them. Tune in for:Expert interviews with top designers & installers Business...

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SterlingLighting

Episodes

Ep 7: Building a Career in the Outdoor Industry with Dave Helpard of DH Custom Scapes 12.09.2025 28:51

In this episode of The Lighting Coach, Patrick Harders, LC, sits down with longtime friend and respected landscape professional Dave Helpard, founder and owner of DH Custom Scapes. With over 30 years of experience building one of Northern Virginia’s premier landscape companies, Dave shares how he got his start, the lessons he’s learned, and the principles that have kept his business thriving while...

Ep. 6: Capturing the Art of Nighttime Lighting with Photographer Dave Battle 11.08.2025 32:22

In this episode, Patrick Harders sits down with professional photographer Dave Battle, whose portfolio includes some of Dayloom’s most stunning nighttime reveals. Dave shares his process for capturing landscape lighting at its best. From dialing in the perfect light balance, to understanding the role of shadows, to using the natural transition from dusk to darkness for dramatic effect, Dave highli...

Ep. 5: Transforming Wedding Nights with Light: Jon Tigges of Zion Springs 25.06.2025 12:12

In this episode of The Lighting Coach, Patrick Harders, LC, sits down with Jon Tigges, owner of Zion Springs, a breathtaking wedding venue and bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Hamilton, Virginia. Jon shares how landscape lighting transformed the guest experience at his venue, elevating both safety and ambiance for evening events. From first impressions to lasting memories, lighting has p...

Ep. 4: From the Field to the Spotlight: Andy Shumate’s Rise in Landscape Lighting 22.05.2025 31:18

In this episode, Patrick Harders, LC, sits down with his longtime protégé and now award-winning designer, Andy Shumate. From humble beginnings as an installer to becoming one of the most respected lighting designers in the industry, Andy shares the real story of his journey—mistakes made, lessons learned, and the mindset shift that changed everything. If you're just getting started or wondering wh...

Ep. 03: From the Fire Line to the Front Lines of the Outdoor Lighting Industry: The story of Damien Sanchez, COO, Sterling Lighting 28.04.2025 34:47

When Patrick Harders and Damien Sanchez started Sterling Lighting, they weren’t following a blueprint — they were building one from scratch. In this episode, Patrick sits down with Damien to share the story behind the man who helped shape Sterling into the trusted name it is today. Damien talks about his path from wildland firefighter to firefighter-EMT to entrepreneur, and how a few bold decision...

Ep. 02: Getting to Know Patrick Harders – The Story Behind Sterling Lighting 28.03.2025 45:47

In this behind-the-scenes episode of The Lighting Coach Podcast, host Patrick Harders takes the guest seat, interviewed by Victor Rogers, Director of Marketing Operations at Sterling Lighting. Patrick shares his humble beginnings, how he found his way into the landscape lighting industry, the start-up and growth of Dayloom, and what ultimately inspired him to build Sterling Lighting—a brand design...

Chris Apfelstadt and Winning Big with Sterling Lighting (AOLP 2025) 14.03.2025 17:53

Game-changing designs. Award-winning projects. The power of professional-grade landscape lighting. In this exclusive interview from AOLP’s Illuminate 2025 Conference, Patrick Harders (CEO, Sterling Lighting and Owner of Dayloom) sits down with Chris Apfelstadt (President, Light Up Columbus) to talk about his Best in Show-winning project—and why Sterling Lighting luminaires are his go-to for high-i...