Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan “Chico” Mireles.
Hi Chico, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was 16 when I was introduced to the lighting industry by my uncles. They took me to work a couple times, and I fell in love with it. I had a passion for it and then I started taking theater in high school to learn more about this trade.
My lighting journey took me from company to company. I was blessed to work for one of the top lighting companies in Los Angeles. I traveled the world with the senior lighting designer of Images by Lighting, Raymond Thompson. He took me under his wing from 2000 – 2008. I traveled the world with him.
Exploring the ins and outs of the lighting industry, I built self-confidence and gained the assurance that I can find solutions to any challenges that I may encounter. Such as generators going down in a foreign country with no backups or sudden changes in the weather, causing the event to go from outdoors to indoors.
Later on, I was able to become a junior lighting designer for another company for eight years, from 2008 – 2017. The original owner of that company had a fallout from his investors and sold the company in 2016.
During the transition, I was finishing my big event with them that I do every year for Elton John Aids Foundation’s Oscars Viewing Party, that I’ve been a part of for 22 years. I gave my two weeks noticed to the new owners and finished the EJAF event.
The following day of the event, I had five phone calls from five different clients. The last phone call that I received was from the producer of Elton John’s Aids Foundation, Virginia Fout. That phone call changed my path of where I was going and how Candlelight Designs came to be. We talked for about an hour, and she gave me the courage to start my own business. It felt like a sign for me that my life is going to a new chapter in my career. Since that phone call, it’s been 7 years, and we are continuing to grow at a steady pace.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For my own individual career as a lighting tech when I first started, it was not such a smooth road. I had to learn the in and outs of this industry, but as an event lighting company owner, I would say it’s been a relatively smooth road.
I can say that it’s been a smooth road only due to the fact that I did not start my company without first taking the right procautions.
For the past 29 years I’ve been in this industry, I’ve built many relationships which have made my journey with my company a smooth road. I was able to take my time to build a great team. If it were not for my amazing team, it would not have been such a smooth road for Candlelight Designs. Their hard work and expertise have contributed tremendously in turning our client’s ideas into magical environments that remain in our client’s memories well after the lights go off.
We’ve been impressed with Candlelight Designs, Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Candlelight Designs, Inc. offers quality lighting services, ranging from lighting services to power distribution. We offer confidence and reliability to our clients. We ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, allowing you to concentrate on creating your magical moments. As committed team players, we provide support to assist wherever we can. You can count on us to be a dependable partner in coordinating and executing your vision.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
When it comes to risk-taking, I view each risk as an opportunity for growth. In order to grow, you’d need to take the next step, and that is taking risks.
During the early stages of my company, all my inventory was stored in my garage. As my company started to grow, I needed more space to store more inventory. That was when I took the risk of adding another overhead expense, which was getting my warehouse. So yes, I am a risk-taker; if you want to keep growing and leveling up, you’ll always have to take risks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.candlelightdesignsinc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlelightdesignsinc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/candlelight-designs-inc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/candlelight-designs-los-angeles
