Doran Dal Pra, originally from New Hampshire, left his IT career to start his own lighting company. He shared with a business publication the motivations behind this pivot and the journey that followed.
The idea first surfaced in the fall of 2018. Dal Pra, together with his friend Jeff Paquin, began by decorating wreaths for a small circle of friends and family.
At the time, he was employed full-time in another IT role. In 2019, the duo completed 20 installations, and the following year they tackled 80 projects. In 2020, Dal Pra chose to devote all his time to growing the lighting business.
Dal Pra notes that demand for lighting work persists throughout the year. The company handles wedding lighting, special events, and even landscape lighting for parks, streets, and the outdoor spaces of cafés and restaurants.
A typical day starts early for the team. Dal Pra sometimes arrives at the warehouse at 7 a.m. to coordinate with staff during busy periods. The company employs 12 full-time workers, organized into teams of three or four people. He estimated that each team could generate between $4,000 and $8,000 in a single day, depending on the scope of the project.
Industry experts have previously discussed pathways for IT professionals in Russia seeking opportunities abroad, outlining practical steps to pursue jobs with foreign companies. The emphasis has been on building relevant skills, networking, and understanding visa and work permit requirements to facilitate international employment.