Page 32 - Lighting Magazine May 2018

2018 LeGends / Leaders / LumInarIes
LEADER
HOW DID YOU ENTER THE INDUSTRY?
Kind of by mistake. I was teaching part-time for a few years a er college and working for a tile and carpet shop. They were going out of business, so I took the opportunity to look for work that aligned with my passions. I ended up at Inland Light- ing because I was most interested in design. I loved making the tile and carpet shop’s showroom look beautiful. It’s been
18 years, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else but Inland.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN?
LED has been wonderful for our industry. We can do things now that we couldn’t even imagine executing 10 years ago. There’s also been a shi in the taste of the average decorator or designer; people are taking more risks. I think HGTV shows are encouraging everyone to go out on a limb, to mix and match, and not to be afraid to play with color and style.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS?
My passion for knowledge and for the industry. I have dedi- cated my free time to learning as much as I can to be er help people create their dream homes. I enjoy a ending forums and seminars at every Market, and I recently became an ALA Certi ed Lighting Consultant (CLC). There are only about ve in the Northwest, and I’m proud to say I’m one of them.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT?
I wish I had more con dence in myself. I would always defer
a question to someone else, even when I knew the answer.
I think I was a li le gun shy. Looking back, I know it was just because I was young and inexperienced. It took me awhile to feel fully con dent. Having my hands on every aspect of the business and going to Dallas twice a year helped tremendously.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN
THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS?
I see a lot of growth. My husband will likely retire, and I would like to be in a position where we could sustain the business fully without him. I would like to be able to enjoy this time together and travel.
28 enLIGHTenment Magazine | May 2018
www.enlightenmentmag.com
TINA ENGEBRETSON Inland Lighting RETAILER