Illuminating the Lighting Industry w/ CJ Barnwell - From Theatre to Entrepreneurship

Looking to illuminate your understanding of the lighting industry? Tune in as we delve into the captivating journey of CJ Barnwell, a man who transitioned from theatre acting to owning a successful lighting and visual media business, CJ Lights. CJ is not only an entrepreneur but also a dedicated father who prioritized his son by taking the bold step to leave his full-time job and control his own destiny during the pandemic. This episode is a beacon of inspiration as CJ shares his experiences of growing up in South Carolina's Lowcountry and studying at the College of Charleston.

But this episode doesn't just shine a spotlight on CJ's personal journey, it also lights up the pathway to building a strong brand identity and the importance of community support in starting a business. Hear how CJ, armed with innovative lighting apps, made a name for himself in the professional lighting industry. Listen to his experiences with Mountain BizWorks and their Catalyst Cohort Program, a resource that has been instrumental in understanding the health of his business. So, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for some pearls of wisdom, or just interested in the mechanics behind the magic of lighting, this episode is set to spark your interest.

With a keen eye for detail and a strong passion for technological innovation, CJ continues to push the boundaries in lighting and visual media. For more on his work and upcoming projects, visit www.CJLights.com or follow him on Instagram at @CJ_Lights.

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Transcript

Veronica: 0:39

Welcome to the Veronica Edwards show where we have fun financial conversations that everyone listening can apply to their personal and professional life. I'm your host, veronica Edwards, and I'm so excited to be back here, season 3 on biz radious. I want to thank the V team for continuing to download the show. We are creeping up on 4000 downloads, so we exceeded our goal of 3000 downloads, season 3. So just so thankful for everyone continuing to listen to the show and supporting the station.

Veronica: 1:13

So let's jump into today's show, which I'm super excited to have a participant from the Catalyst cohort program. That is facilitated by Mountain BizWorks and you guys know I'm always shouting out Mountain BizWorks because I'm a coach there and I also teach a financial tools class, which I'm actually teaching currently, and that's where I met today's guests and I now currently consult with this guest, so I just thought it would be amazing to have him on. He is the owner of CJ Lights, which specializes in lighting, design, visual media and equipment rentals for a broad range of events. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce Mr CJ Barnwell. Welcome, cj hey how are you?

Veronica: 2:01

I am good and you know it's so funny me calling you CJ, because my eight year old is CJ.

CJ: 2:06

So I'm always telling.

Veronica: 2:07

CJ. He's my son, so, cj, we always start the show asking the guests to talk about yourself, where you're from, how you found yourself starting a business and especially for you, cj, you're in technology, in an area where we really don't see a lot of black, and brown folks are really want to hear how you got into that, so tell us.

CJ: 2:29

So really the origin story. I've been doing this forever since high school. I was started out as an actor in high school doing plays and I kind of played around with lights and sound and all of those other things. And then when I went to college or College of Charleston, I basically kind of fell in love with the technical aspect of storytelling. I really see myself as a storyteller and through I use technology and I use the tools available to help enhance the story.

CJ: 3:04

You know, actors are doing a lot of work, but particularly in professional theater, they're coming in for two weeks before the process and they learn their lines, they go on stage, they do all the fun stuff that we see. But behind the scenes, you know, a lot of times I'm working on a show for months or even a year out to try and help design what the feel of it is, what the look of it is, all of the research and everything. So we really I get to tell a story from a different standpoint and I get to use all the technology that we have at our disposal to really really dig in and help create this emotional palette for the audience to consume. So, yeah, how did I? Well, before, before I started my business I was working for several companies. I worked full time for a couple of companies and then the pandemic, it, and you know I, you know, I know everybody knows theater kind of went away for a while.

Veronica: 4:05

I was just going to say, like CJ, what did you do? 2020.

CJ: 4:11

Well, it caused me to do some soul searching and what I ended up coming up with was I love, I love working for a full time theater. I love the energy that that brought, but I hated being at the whim of someone else. I hated not being able to control my own destiny. A lot of business owners say that, and you know it's. It's one of those things where can you really make it? I'm always asking myself that question am I doing the right thing? Is this the right, the right way to do things? But really, you know, I'm a single dad with a five year old now. He was three at the time and as things started picking back up around 2021, we were getting back into doing shows again.

CJ: 5:04

I looked at all that time I had spent at home with my son and you know, I just couldn't. I couldn't see myself going into 50 weeks a year being away from home, you know, at the theater until midnight every weekend, every day. Get them one day off a week sometimes it was just. It's a lot of energy and you know, if you look at the state of theater, that's what it takes for theater to survive these days. But I just I couldn't do it. I needed to be able to pick and choose what I was doing so that I could serve my son and also so that I had some control over myself. You know, I looked at how I got involved with Mountain BizWorks was during the pandemic. I started looking for grants and other things to help, you know, try and make a life and supplement my income. And I saw all of these opportunities like, well, if you had a business, then you could get this, and if you had a business, then you can get that.

Veronica: 6:03

And I said, well, I should have a business, then that's exactly how it works, and sometimes we are forced, because of pandemics or different life events, to go in a path that we never thought that we would go. And I have to go all the way back CJ, where you said you went to College of Charleston. You know I'm from the low country, brother.

CJ: 6:23

Oh really, I didn't know. I've been talking for months now. What part of a low country are you from?

Veronica: 6:28

Well, you know, if you really know the low country, I tell people Somerville, Goose Creek, but it's smaller.

CJ: 6:33

Oh yeah, Gladstone I graduated from.

Veronica: 6:35

Yeah, I was in high school, oh, okay, yeah, yeah, oh, my mom's a Liz off exit 203. Shout out to mom in College Park. So, cj, where are you originally from?

CJ: 6:46

I was born in New York but then around 11 we moved down to Beuford, south Carolina, and then I've been traveling ever since I left high school. I went to College of Charleston, but during the summers I was doing different things. I lived in St Louis, I lived in Maryland, arkansas, for a little bit. I've been all over.

Veronica: 7:07

CJ, you're my cousin, so I was born in Brooklyn, new York, moved when I was 10. Since the last in South Carolina Wow. For those listed.

CJ: 7:15

A lot of Black folk migrated up from the South, you know, to the North, but then they came back.

Veronica: 7:20

So I love that, I love that, I love that. So, yeah, so you mentioned Mountain BizWorks, so I always like to give a plug that Mountain BizWorks I forgot the exact name, but they're In addition to providing coaching and classes, they also provide lending to you know different for-profit and non-profits in the area to build the community. And that's where I got a chance to meet CJ and learn about CJ Lights, which really intrigued me because of course, you know I'm sure you get it, cj, we like, so you just do lighting and stuff.

CJ: 7:50

That's your job, you know.

Veronica: 7:52

and then it's so much more than that, like you said. So let's talk about CJ Lights. You know you mentioned 2021, it sounds like it's when you started the business. But who do you serve and what services do you provide? And definitely before we get to the end of the show, we'll have you plug how we can support you if we even need your services. But you're the first I have to say African-American man, what a fro honey. You know you that is out there in this theater world and I love it, and just in On the stage and the lighting and the design and the app. So if you could tell us more about CJ Lights, I would love that?

CJ: 8:27

Yeah, absolutely. So the start of it really was I've been focused on design for so long pretty much my whole professional career I've been focused on lighting design and then, like I said, pandemic came and one of the things that I pivoted to in the pandemic was I'd been playing around with video and adding video into what I offered as a human, but then it really became important. You know, people were streaming and all of the Everything became the spectacle of it. Even when we went back into shows, there's a lot more emphasis on projections and video, tvs and shows. So I did that and then when I started my business, I said, okay, I'm going to offer this range of services. So my primary focus is lighting design. I offer that to theaters, to event companies, so that I'm giving a storytelling basis to the event that you're putting on, typically live events, but I do some recorded stuff too. Also, we do streaming events.

CJ: 9:33

I started offering a lot of video services so that whether it's I'm doing recording and then putting it together, doing post production on the video, or I'm doing the live streaming, helping set up cameras and doing live video, switching out to a live streaming audience, I offer that. So the other thing that I've been recently getting into is equipment rental, which is which is really awesome. Really, I'm using it to cheat because the more stuff that I own, the more stuff I can take with me on shows so that I can provide a better service. And during the pandemic and a little bit after, I found some amazing deals on a lot of equipment that I just went ahead and invested in so that I could have all of that equipment to bolster my shows as I go in design. So I offer a value proposition there where I say, hey, if you hire me for your design, you automatically get this equipment for a lower price than you would if you rented it from another rental house.

CJ: 10:39

So that's basically my suite of services lighting design, video production, video design, lighting rentals, and then also, you know, I do production coordination. If you need stage managers, if you need sound people, if you need stage crew, I can put all of that together. I do some. Also do some consulting for a couple of smaller spaces. So that's my big suite of things and the thing that I tell who do I serve Everybody. Lighting is lighting, and visual media is so, so important. One of the things that I learned in college was that if you can't see a person's face, you can't hear what they're saying.

Veronica: 11:27

And we saw that during the pandemic with the mask. I said, wow, I really relives.

CJ: 11:35

And you know, we didn't even know, so like. One of the things that always bugs me as I go through the world is I go into churches sometimes or I go into event centers and the lighting is behind the person so you can't really see their facial features.

CJ: 11:52

And I'm like oh, you just put a light in front just so that when you could see their faces, they would be able to connect more with the audience, and so that's why I offer consulting and things like that also, so that you know it's. You may not be doing a full Broadway production or whatever, but good lighting is important. It helps us communicate. It helps us communicate our ideas, our stories At conferences.

CJ: 12:18

It's the same thing You're trying to get an idea across, you're trying to sell a book, you're trying to do all of these things, and so you need to be able to be seen to do that, to create an emotional connection with your audience, whether that audience is a church audience, a wedding audience. Another thing I do is wedding events, and you know, one of the things that's really, really fun is when I can take a room that's, you know, just a regular ballroom that looks like, you know, anybody could just have a business conference there, and we transform it. We put texture on the wall, we highlight the centerpieces on the table, we'll put light on the dance floor and have follow spots following around the bride and groom, and it creates a completely different experience, for then what you would get if you just had fluorescent lights in a room.

Veronica: 13:08

CJ when I tell you now I'm looking around my house, I need CJ to come up in here and jazz. I just hate those lights in the bathroom. I don't know what they put in the bathroom to make you feel like.

Veronica: 13:19

I don't look like this, but you know you're really digging into things I never really thought about like well, because again you've really diversified your business for it to be so young so I hope those that are listening is that you're not just providing one thing, you're providing multiple streams of services. So if all of a sudden, like you said, if the pandemic and if another pandemic happens, or all of a sudden somebody shuts down.

Veronica: 13:42

you can still use your equipment, you can still consult with people, you can do things virtually with the streaming Question for you. So, cj, are you also like a videographer, photographer? Is that kind of naturally something that you kind of are pretty proficient at, because you're doing all these things with lighting?

CJ: 14:00

It's one of those things that I'm still working on and I'm still learning. I do basic, basic stuff and I've done some video recording, but normally I'm doing it for a theater audience where the quality doesn't matter, if that makes sense. You know I'm doing it. I'm making it look like it's old and grainy, so it doesn't matter if the shot's not perfect. I know my limitations. It's one of those things that I'm working on.

Veronica: 14:27

Well, cj, on the show, we always discuss different tips and jewels for the listeners and with you kind of having a very unique business, this is the first time I've heard of lighting and design and visual media and I'm sure it's out there. Anywhere there's a theater, there's people like yourself, but we don't hear about it as much. So, and how do you you know, for those that are listening that might want to get in this field, how did you brand yourself? And also, what are things you wish you knew in the beginning, back in 2020, 2021, for your business, that you know now that you can help those that are listening and maybe they're just starting their business.

CJ: 14:59

Well, let's see. So, branding let me talk about that. One of the things that's really that I found has been really effective is creating a very strong brand for myself. Cj Lights is just a title and it's what I do and it's kind of ubiquitous with. If you go to my Instagram page, if you type in CJ Lights into Instagram, that's it. It's unique enough that if you type in CJ Lights to Google even though I don't have a lot of SEO on my web page it pops up pretty. I think I'm even the first or the second hit, depending on where you are.

Veronica: 15:35

You are, I googled you last night. I said okay, CJ.

CJ: 15:38

Right, right, and it's just because of that strong branding CJ Lights I picked something unique enough. I literally thought about it and I went in search and did different combinations and I was like Barnwell Lights or Does Lighting and trying to find all these names and I hit CJ Lights and I saw no one had the website, no one had the Instagram, no one had the Facebook page and I said okay, I'm set, that's it. And then, once from there, one of the other things that I do that I haven't talked about because it's really niche, it's for people in the industry is I also create lighting apps for Android, that interface with the lighting console.

Veronica: 16:20

Oh, so just on my phone I can control the lighting on the stage.

CJ: 16:23

Right, exactly, exactly. Now it's professional lighting. You have to have a lightboard and all of that stuff. But with that, my apps also have just the letter CJ as my icon app. So literally I've gone to theater conferences and people will see me speaking or doing a workshop and they'll say wait, are you this CJ? And they'll hold up the phone and show me my app and I was like yes, I am that CJ. I'm just connecting the dots by having such a strong brand name and recognition. Wow.

Veronica: 16:56

I need that. They were talking about things about accounting. Sounds virtually DV, I like that Right, right, right.

CJ: 17:03

And then the other question is oh, what was the second question? I forgot.

Veronica: 17:09

Oh, no problem. What did you wish you knew in the beginning of you starting your business? That you know now different tips, that you would tell people listening Like, if I would have known this two years ago, I might have been a little ahead or just a little bit more prepared.

CJ: 17:21

Oh well, that answer is super easy. I would have connected with Mountain BizWorks the second I decided to start a business. I would have gotten your financial workshop class. The second I started the business.

CJ: 17:32

Preach preach, preach. I mean and I tell literally part of the group that I'm in with Mountain BizWorks is called the Catalyst Cohort Program, where they take people of color, women, underserved communities. They put us in a group and give us resources over the course of the year. A lot of the workshops are either free or very highly reduced and with the Catalyst Cohort it was so awesome to be able to get access to the workshops, get access to coaching, get access to all these services that I would have had to pay big goo-hoo dollars for. And then with your workshop, and I tell everybody in the cohort this and a bunch of people from the cohort are in your workshop now, or did it? The last time I said yo, I did not know all of this about QuickBooks. And like I'm at the point now where I'm doing business projections, I can really see the health of my business month by month, check by check. I can go in there and see how each little transaction is affecting my bottom line.

Veronica: 18:38

One of the stories Look at you using them. Account and works bottom line.

CJ: 18:42

You can't see, jay, like I couldn't do that. I couldn't do that. I could not do that. So like connecting with Mountain Business Works if you're in the Asheville area, western North Carolina area, is like was a godsend. And I think it's just so important to have a community of people supporting you because we can't do it on our own, especially when you're starting out, there's so much and you're worried about where the next dollar's coming from and how you're gonna expand the business and diversify and do all of these things. And to just get some help, to get a community with some people who are going through the same things and who have been through it already, was so like helpful, just to have the support system. So you know, get yourself a support system like Mountain Business Works. That's what I wish I had done on day one.

Veronica: 19:30

Ooh, I love the play. Anyone listening mountainbusworksorg with a Z with business, but yeah, it's a great organization and there's a lot of organizations out there for those that are listening, and I even wanna add CJ. I've had people in my class that were in New York and other places, so I think even though. Mountain Business Works is based in Western North Carolina, has a focus there. They're open to areas all over the US. That's the great thing with this class being online and a lot of their classes, but you hit it right on the head.

Veronica: 19:58

Having a group of people, I always recommend those that are starting a business. Get people that work specifically in your area. Get people that are just business owners, but have a community that you can talk to to make sure are my rates right? You?

CJ: 20:10

know where do you?

Veronica: 20:11

bank at, or did you struggle with this? Or who's the person that did your website and then your services? You provide that you can provide to the group as well. But, cj, just like that, we're already to the end of the show, so I would love for you to plug your website, your social media, if you have anything that's coming up where we could check out some of the things that you're doing live. You know, we'd love to support you.

CJ: 20:36

Yes, absolutely so. My Instagram is at CJ, underscore lights. You can type in CJ light straight and it'll into the search bar and it'll go there. You can also check out my website at cjlightscom. That's lights with an S. I have all of my things. My apps are on there. Upcoming shows I'm working on that section. If you're looking for rentals, you can email me at CJ at CJ lightscom. Again, cj at CJ lightscom will get to me. And my final plug is CJ lights. We're the business of light.

Veronica: 21:12

Oh, we are the business of light. Well, CJ, has just been a privilege and an honor to have met you this year and to work with you, and it's so kind of the words that you said about you. Know what I'm able to do with mountain biz words and I just appreciate you taking time out of your busy day.

CJ: 21:29

Oh, no, no, no.

Veronica: 21:30

Yes, I just want to thank all the listeners for tuning into biz radious. Please come back next week. Same time, same place, 10 am on Wednesdays for the Veronica Edward Show. And if you missed the live airing, you can listen to all prior shows at VeronicaEdwardsBrustsproutcom.