Meet Wes O'Leary, the owner of North Pro Home and Cottage Services, a home service business located in central Ontario, about an hour north of Toronto. Offering services from house washing to window cleaning, Wes sought a way to keep his business thriving during the slower months of October to December.
"We asked ourselves, what do we do in October, November, and December?" Wes recalls. "That's when we moved into Christmas lights, and it's been incredible. I love it more than house washing—it works a different part of the mind, the crews love it more, and it's cleaner and more exciting."
Embracing the Joy of Holiday Lighting
For Wes, the most rewarding aspect of offering Christmas light installations is the joy it brings to his clients:
"Almost all the clients we work for are ecstatic about the lights. Many have never had lights before because they're 65 and can't go up a ladder. Being able to bring that festive spirit to them is what I love most."
Overcoming Challenges with Big Star Lights
Before partnering with Big Star Lights, Wes faced significant challenges:
- Inconsistent Stock Availability: "Our first supplier ran out of warm white lights at the end of November. We needed more, and they couldn't deliver."
- Quality Issues: "Mixing and matching different hues of warm white wasn't ideal. The build quality wasn't up to par."
- Limited Product Range: "They didn't offer the variety we needed to meet our clients' unique requests."
Discovering Big Star Lights changed everything:
- Reliable Stock: "When I checked with Big Star Lights, they had plenty in stock. That was a game-changer."
- Superior Warm White Hue: "I personally like the warm white from Big Star Lights more. It matches that traditional candlelight glow clients love."
- Extensive Product Selection: "They had unique colors like fuchsia and yellow, allowing us to fulfill specific client requests."
Innovative Products and Solutions
Wes highlights how Big Star Lights' innovative products have made a significant difference:
- Gutter Clips: "The gutter clips designed for homes with gutter guards are a game-changer. They're the first of their kind and solve a major installation challenge."
- High-Quality Mini Lights: "The mini lights with watertight seals are fantastic. Unlike the old two-prong plugs we used before, these are secure and professional."
- Twinkly Pro and Specialty Lights: "There's so much on their site I haven't even ventured into yet, like Twinkly Pro and floodlights. These products could open up a whole new realm of lighting options for our clients."
Exceptional Customer Service
An unexpected shipping issue demonstrated the stellar customer service of Big Star Lights:
"A spool of electrical wire arrived with the end broken off, making it a jumble in the box. I gave them a call, and they immediately sent out a new reel free of charge. Their support has been phenomenal—that's a big difference compared to others I've dealt with."
Boosting Efficiency and Profits
By partnering with Big Star Lights, Wes has seen improvements in his business efficiency and bottom line:
- Bulk Pricing Benefits: "Being able to buy in bulk has been a game-changer. As we get more clients, the savings add up and improve our profits."
- Streamlined Offerings: "We simplified our offerings, focusing on products we know Big Star Lights always has in stock. It made us more prepared and efficient."
Advice for Fellow Installers
"Make sure you're organized, especially with takedowns—it's confusing going back for year two if you didn't organize anything," Wes advises. "Simplify your offerings and work with a supplier like Big Star Lights who keeps products in stock. Their customer service and product quality make all the difference."
Embracing the Future
Wes is excited about the future and exploring more innovative products:
"I'm looking forward to using the new gutter clips and diving into products like Twinkly Pro. These innovations are going to be brilliant for next year and will help us offer even more to our clients."