Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Numan.
Hi Thomas, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Radikal Neon® is the originator of the LED neon glow, with our founder having experimented with the medium since 2013.
The ever-growing team at Radikal HQ has been bringing the nostalgia of a time long past into today’s world. Of course, we make it safer, accessible to everyone, and eco-friendly through the use of LED instead.
At Radikal Neon, we believe in the unique power of neon lighting to create the ultimate vibe. We’ve been purveyors of the traditional medium since well before Radikal’s official 2016 inception, with members of the team already having experience designing and producing traditional neon signs. Having been involved in the industry for so long, the team truly believes that these lights can bring character to any space – and transform any character that already exists.
One of the main things that founder Tom Numan discovered about traditional neon signs was that the glass used was easily broken (especially when shipped) and released toxic gasses when it did. An expensive and timely craft, while often being a pain to install for the client and costly to run, simply wasn’t as sustainable as modern lighting solutions should be.
Our response? The team searched high and low to see if more modern technology would be able to replicate the look without the downsides. That’s when Tom discovered LED Flex Neon in 2013. Even though it was a fledgling technology at the time, his experience in the lighting design arena told him that this medium was the one!
LED Neon turned out to be an environmentally friendly, user-friendly, and wallet-friendly alternative without all the downsides of glass neon. Just like that, the ultimate evolution of the traditional neon sign was born, and it’s been shining bright ever since.
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?
There’s always going to be a few issues along the way – and a custom neon sign shop is no different.
Starting the shop in Los Angeles comes with a unique set of challenges. The city’s vibrant and competitive market means standing out among numerous established businesses, each with their own loyal customer base. High operational costs, including rent, utilities, and permits, can be daunting, especially given LA’s expensive real estate market. Navigating the city’s regulatory environment, which includes strict signage and environmental codes, requires significant time and expertise. Additionally, sourcing high-quality materials and skilled labor in an industry that demands both artistic and technical proficiency can be difficult and costly.
Despite these hurdles we’ve faced, the potential for success is significant, as LA’s thriving entertainment and nightlife scenes offer a steady demand for eye-catching neon art and signage.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s been a wilder ride for the team than Tom had ever expected. Since Radikal’s official foundation in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2016, the team has grown globally – and now here we are with a 3-year-old location in Los Angeles!
We’ve picked up some of the world’s most talented designers, marketers, and web developers while scaling to the point that our unique LED Neon signs now glow in almost every country on Earth. In fact, you can find our work adorning the walls of creatives, celebrities, and tastemakers the world around alike, having worked with household names like Twitch, Disney, Aviator Nation, Anheuser Busch, and Netflix – even Justin Bieber (just to name a few).
We create incredibly unique lighting experiences wherever we go with our trademark Rad Super Mini LED. Radikal Neon now boasts vibrant retail locations in Auckland and Los Angeles, with a remote office in Toronto to better service a booming demand throughout Canada. But the team has no plans to stop there. We have many other endeavors planned just on the horizon, having grown from strength to strength throughout the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
At Radikal Neon, we’re showing the world that not only do we know what we’re doing, but absolutely love doing it, too – and it shows in our vast portfolio of work. Together, our team has over 100 years of experience in signage, lighting, and electrical design.
We’re undoubtedly most proud of our Custom Neon Signage service; it’s what sets us apart from the rest. Our quality, turnaround time, and pricing is the best on the market, and we stand by that – the clients we’ve picked up and maintained are a testament to our ability to produce the best custom signs on the market.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my most cherished childhood memories is the summer evenings at my grandparents’ house. My cousins and I would chase fireflies in the yard, laughing and shouting as the sunset. The air was filled with the scent of honeysuckle and the sound of crickets. After our fun, we would sit on the porch with sticky faces from homemade popsicles, listening to Grandpa’s stories. Those nights, full of simple joys and family warmth, remain unforgettable.
Pricing:
- Pricing typically begins at around $200 for a custom sign
- An average custom sign, around 3ft in width, is about $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radikalneonsigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radikalneon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radikalneon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJm4MJiZxLLD6X69OJZohfA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@radikalneon
