Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Pomeroy.
Jeff, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been in lighting for 30 years as of 6/1/18. I was in distribution for the first 15 of those years doing everything from selling to purchasing. I started my own business as an independent sales representative in 2003, and began working for Visual Comfort & Company, the premier resource for signature designer lighting in 2006. I travel around the 6 New England states selling lighting products to many different types of distribution channels, including interior design firms, lighting showrooms, electrical distributors, furniture showrooms and the hospitality industry. I have a team of 6 people (including me) that are dedicated to this task. At the end of 2016, I’d decided to open a trade showroom in the city of Boston. Due to the struggles that retailers have had since the rise of the internet, I found that having my own gallery collection would be beneficial for my customers in that they can use my space to sell our lights to their clientele. And it is also beneficial to me since it helps promote and grow the sales of my lighting lines in the best way possible: a customer can see and touch the product. Due to the success of this showroom, I hope to add more locations in the future.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any business, I’ve had my highs and lows. Starting up my agency was the most difficult part. My wife was pregnant with our first child, and I was trying to create business with no good lighting lines willing to partner with me at that time. Just like my time in high school, it helped me learn humility.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Light New England story. Tell us more about the business.
I travel around the 6 New England states selling lighting products to wholesale customers throughout the territory. And I also look to generate local sales to run through our showroom in Charlestown. I am most proud of my team. We are all good people, and we all do our jobs well. We are different than many other reps in that we put in maximum effort and have the showroom. Most reps wouldn’t take a chance in upsetting their customers by opening a store amongst their clientele, but I feel that my decision has paid off. I’ve created a great customer (in myself) but it also gives my displaying dealers an extension of their showroom in ours. Everybody wins!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
It’s been less about luck and more about hard work for me. Though, I was at the right place in the right time when Visual Comfort became available and I got the opportunity to interview for it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 50 Terminal St.
Building 2 – Unit # 524
Boston, MA 02129 - Website: www.lightne.com
- Phone: 781-413-5623
- Email: jeff@lightne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightnewengland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightnewengland/
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