OC Register Article & Interview

Owners: Darin Anderson, CEO, Joe & Debby Thrailkill, and Chuck O'Neal
Business address: Rancho Santa Margarita
Telephone: 1-877-4SUNDOWN
Web site: www.sundownlighting.com
Type of business: Lighting Maintenance and Electrical Services
When opened: 1980

Describe your business: We design, install, and maintain lighting systems as well as provide electrical services for commercial, industrial and large residential associations. We put lighting systems in place to make them more energy-efficient, to make the properties more visually attractive, and to improve the safety and security for their users. We have over 1,000 accounts in Orange County alone that we service every month. We service a significant amount of The Irvine Company's properties.

Lighting creates ambience and makes an environment-we help our clients build that and then maintain it.

Lighting creates safety and security - a properly lit property makes people feel safe and secure & who doesn't want to feel that way?

Proper lighting design and lamp types can save each property thousands of dollars from lower utility and maintenance costs.

Why did you start the business? I didn't start it. Joe Thrailkill, a partner in the business, founded it in 1980. He just saw that there was a huge need. One our first customers was The Irvine Company. Because of their standards and requirements, we are a better company. We work hard everyday to provide the best customer service in the industry with clear and honest prices. We have a tremendous Custom Lighting Maintenance Program that is tailored for each property. The analysis and program provides recommendations for lamp types and a schedule for replacing lamps to ensure the best performance and maximum economic efficiency for the property.

Do you have any tips for designing lighting? I think it's important to understand and/or develop the type of environment you want to create with a lighting consultant. A good lighting consultant can create images or photo simulations and show you how the property or area will look. You can determine for yourself what the effect of down- or uplighting can do for your property. There are so many different options. For example, with palm trees you can do well-lights that are flush with the ground or you can do lights up in the palms each has a different but dramatic effect. Outside or inside you can use down ceiling lights or have wall sconces or fixtures. Do you want soft-lighting, or do you want a focused light? It all really depends on the mood and atmosphere you're trying to create.

What kinds of lighting settings do you enjoy working with? We just love to create striking outdoor environments. That's our specialty.

Why did you choose Rancho Santa Margarita as your business home? It was just close to home. We were in Irvine until five years ago. We also have offices in San Diego and the Inland Empire.

What's your advice to other business owners? What's made this company special is that everybody in the organization has ownership of the job they do everyday. They truly love coming to work and I think if you treat every customer and every person in your organization as unique and special, you'll build your business for a lifetime. It's not about who is right, it's about what is right! That's our philosophy.

Kim-Mai Cutler

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