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"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..." I know it's only October but some people are already thinking about Christmas, particularly businesses focusing on that time of year.
I was talking to Dean Lyons of Brite Nites recently, and he told me his crews have been out since early September installing Christmas lights on homes and businesses all over Utah, Summit and Salt Lake counties. Dean also told me that after the holidays, his employees take down the lights and put them in storage, a process that can keep them busy until late March or early April. This means the Christmas light business really runs for around six months each year.
Brite Nites is located in new, expanded facilities in Sandy. But Dean started the company some years ago while still a student at BYU. He was helping build a house to generate income and was hauling boards up a ladder at a construction site. A neighbor asked Dean to bring the ladder over and help pull Christmas lights off his house.
It took Dean just a few minutes, and the gentleman gave him $50. Dean was impressed with the ease of the task. He produced and distributed flyers around Utah County that advertised his service of setting up Christmas lights. Soon the requests started rolling in. Dean had a little yellow jeep and two ladders when he began installing lights. Today, years later, Brite Nites has a crew of 75 people who work 14-hour days, six days a week. There are now 14 trucks, 100 ladders and sophisticated lift and hoist equipment.
I love Christmas time. I love the reason that we celebrate. I love the opportunity to give, and, yes, receive gifts. I really enjoy seeing how the city and the neighborhoods come alive with beautiful lights and decorations. Thanks to Dean Lyons and Brite Nites for contributing to that great feeling of Christmas cheer.
