Illumiday Lights the Way in Harnett County
"It's been a crazy couple of years," says Charles Mayse, co-owner and operator of Illumiday LLC, an exterior lighting small business.
"It all started with a light bulb moment my wife, Rebecca, and I shared in December of 2020. We launched the business about halfway through 2021. Shortly after launch, one of my first networking meetings was with Charity Barbee, Harnett County Small Business Center (SBC) Coordinator, at the Angier Chamber of Commerce. At the time, I didn't know about the SBC, what a chamber was, how to market our business, had no business plan and no idea how to keep the business going," says Mayse. "Now, with help from the SBC, almost a year later, Illumiday is a very different business."
Mayse notes that he has taken SBC courses in person and online and learned how to create a business plan, develop marketing strategies, even how to protect our intellectual property. "Charity and I meet once a month or so. She is so generous sharing her experiences, knowledge and brainstorming. She helped me find ways to approach customers, find new opportunities, and connected me with other local businesses," Mayse adds. "Illumiday is now a member of Angier and Erwin Chambers of Commerce (with more on the way) and proud to be based in Harnett County."
"Providing valuable information and education about what we offer is a big part of our small business success," according to Mayse, "and that is something we talked a lot with Harnett Small Business Center about as part of our marketing plan."
Mayse now provides advisory feedback to Harnett County SBC regarding future programming and services. He encourages other small businesses to contact the small business center early in the startup process.
As part of National Small Business Week April 30-May 6, 2023, Harnett County Small Business Center and IllumiDay encourage citizens to shop locally in Angier, Coats, Dunn, Erwin, and Lillington. "Drop by your favorite Harnett County local shops and restaurants. Visit a few new entrepreneurs. Let's show our small business community some love for all they do to bolster our economy, meet local service and product needs, and add character to our cities and towns," says Barbee.
In 2022, North Carolina's 994,500 small businesses employed 1.7 million people statewide. National Small Business Week is a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and the positive impact and multiplier effect small businesses have on local communities and economies.
In conjunction with National Small Business Week, IllumiDay is proud to announce they are the exclusive EverLights U.S. East Coast dealer and installer. EverLights allow customers to select customized lighting patterns and colors using a simple, pre-programmed app for the home or business. Within minutes, the lighting can be changed for game day, party, business event, family gathering, or special promotion. "We love our lights. During the day you cannot see them on the house, which is great, at night they look great," says EverLights customer Smith Alston.
Illumiday LLC creates lighting solutions for customers including downtowns, neighborhoods, restaurants, and event venues. For details, call Charles Mayse at 919-276-0778 or email info@illumiday.com.
Harnett County Small Business Center is a service of Central Carolina Community College with small business centers in Harnett, Lee and Chatham Counties. For more information about free Harnett County Small Business Center resources, email cbarb825@cccc.edu or visit harnettsbc.com. CCCC is one of 58 North Carolina community colleges offering free small business services to NC startup and existing small businesses.