Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Frey.
Hi Bill, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a love for lighting and how it can set the mood. I am fortunate enough to be able to earn a living doing what I love. The road has not always been easy, there were many other paths I could and did take along the way. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to make an impact and not become just another business professional. I watched my father be miserable for many years working for a major corporation. I also saw how unjust the corporate world was. Now, just for perspective, this was in the late 90’s. I felt I could make an impact working my way up through the system, slowly creating change from the inside. I studied small business management and it took off. I never looked back. I worked a few corporate jobs but never felt my thoughts and opinions were being heard. It felt like I was being silenced. Just like many young people do, I thought I knew how to do everything in my early twenties. As they say, “Ignorance is bliss.”. While I was finding my way, I stumbled into the lighting world by working with a holiday lighting company. Long story short, within the next year in 2004, Illuminating Design was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has been “As smooth as a back country road.” The path to where we are today has had its moments of questioning if this was really the right thing to do. When I started Illuminating Design, I was not married and had very few obligations. It was much easier to take risks since I didn’t have obligations to anyone. It was a time I couldn’t foresee anything other than success, ignoring potential downfalls. The biggest struggle is the fear of change because facing challenges can be uncomfortable. One of the most important things I have learned is change is scary but it is that fear which can drive you to success. Inherently being an entrepreneur means you are a risk taker, and you strive to invest in yourself and your abilities.
You will also find that realizing some people’s motivations can be difficult. For years I struggled with finding the right mix of talent for the team. They must trust you to lead them. You are the one who creates the right foundation so everyone can create the solid pillars for success. Each area of your life needs solid pillar to stand strong. This is not limited to the business you have, it spans your entire life – Personal friendships, Family, Coworkers. This took me many years to learn and I would not be where I am without the strength of each of those groups.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What started out as a holiday lighting company has grown into an industry-leading artistic lighting company who creates custom lighting for events or holidays. We can build you a static display or custom lighting. Illuminating Design is a collection of the wonderful talent from varying backgrounds. We are able to view a space and collectively join our ideas to create something amazing. When we work with our clients, we become an extension of them, translating what they see in their minds and bringing it to fruition. Through these collaborations, we are able to create what no one never been seen before.
One of the best aspects of Illuminating Design is, we have the skills and abilities of a large corporation. We have the ability to pivot on a dime and not be restricted by rules. This allows us to truly be there for all of our client’s needs and create experiences worth repeating.
How do you think about luck?
I am a believer that you create your own luck and you either succeed or you learn. There is growth in both.
Contact Info:
- Email: Bill@idatlanta.com
- Website: www.illuminating-design.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminating_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IlluminatingDesign
