Spotlight on Dad: Greg Vowles of MyLight, Personalized Night Lights #Giveaway

I recently stumbled across this week's Spotlight Dad's website while looking for unique gift ideas for children.  Greg Vowles of MyLight, offers personalized night lights for children (and even adults).  His handcrafted, personalized light boxes are tailor-made to suit your taste, and can be used for a range of purposes that are only limited by your imagination! Just have a look for yourself at these cool night lights:

Thanks to Greg, now children can light up the night with their own personalized night light with their names on it.  I can see these night lights being the perfect go-to gift for baby showers, as they would look amazing in a baby's nursery.  

And, toddlers who are trying to transition into their own room or new bed, will be comforted by the soft lighting these personalized night lights offer when illuminated.

I am excited to share my Spotlight on Dad interview with Greg Vowles of Mylight with you, as well as share more information about his product line.  Even though he lives in Australia, these personalized night lights ship worldwide. :-)  So, before you head on over to Greg's website to order one of his night lights for your child, please enjoy my interview wit Greg below.  And, as a special treat, just for Inspired by Savannah readers, look for the giveaway at the end of the interview, and be sure to enter, as Greg is offering one lucky reader a chance to win one of his MyLight personalized night lights for their child. :-)

Enjoy!

Name:  Greg Vowles

Company Name/Product/Service: Mylight. Personalized night lights

Company Location: Lonsdale South Australia

Company Website:  www.mylight.com.au

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/mylights

Twitter Handle: @ https://twitter.com/Mylight_com_au

Age of Company:  3.5 Years

Favorite Inspirational Quotes: The past is the past the future is undecided but right now is a gift which is why its called the present

Favorite Book: Too many to have just 1

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.

My favourite thing to do is hanging out with my wife and 3 children. I have a Boy 6 and 2 girls 4 and 2 years old. We like going for long drives and swimming at the beach. My hobbies are numerous. I enjoy Surfing, Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Hiking, Fishing, Camping and the outdoors. We also enjoy getting together with friends and enjoying nice food.

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

MyLight came about through the birth of my first child. I am a sign writer by trade and have a background in film and television along with a passion for good design, typography and lighting. I created my sons light through the love for him and all of the things I have mentioned. I also developed a passion of creating customised products that can be standardised though the use of the Internet. From there the product was born and we have had many satisfied customers.

What is a typical work day like? 

Our typical day is getting the kids ready for school I drop my son off and then get into the factory around 9-930. First up is answering emails from our lovely customers and interacting with them though face book. My employees handles the manufacturing of our product and My wife and I look into the marketing side. We are always looking for fresh new ideas and coming up with plans for new products, giveaways, inspirational images. Our day ends around 4pm and we get to spend time with our kids.I feel blessed to have so much time with my family as it would not be possible with out the product I created.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company?

Our biggest struggle has been educating people about what our product is. As no one has ever tried to create a customized light before. This has been our biggest challenge.

 

What did you do in your past work life?

I am a fully qualified sign writer, and trained at the time when sign writers still used a brush. I have seen computers take over the industry and embraced the change. I have also had many other jobs in my working career including working on Starwars” revenge of the sith” as a prop maker/set dresser, and many other films, I have worked in advertising agencies, as an  electrician and many more.

What have been some of your major successes?

My most major success is raising 3 beautiful healthy children -- to me all the other things are secondary. I am just happy to have created a product that people love and am glad that I have brought joy to so many peoples homes.

What have been some of your major challenges?    
            

One of my biggest challenges we in the early days while I was still working full time and manufacturing the lights myself at night time.  I would come home for dinner and help put the kids to bed and the be up until 1-2 am making lights to send out.  This was exhausting but necessary to “prove” the concept before we went full time with our idea. I look back at that time and wonder just how I found the energy to get though and  I am glad we did.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?

My children and wife have inspired me !

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

Only do what you can do with the time you have. Turn off the computer and phone  when you are around the family. Money is not the be all and end all of life.

This has helped us stay calm. We still answer emails and return phone call quicker than most online businesses and we remain calm in our family home.

What is next for your business?

We are about to launch internationally with www.themylight.com with our new reworked mylight. This will launch around May 2013 and from there we will be adding new customizable lighting and products.

Do you have any advice for other mom/dad entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?

For the ones who are thinking of starting a business:-Go for it if you never try you will never know!! For the ones who are struggling you could have stopped just inches away from striking gold. And to the ones starting out I would say do your research but a bad Idea executed is better than a good idea talked about forever.

---BUY NOW---

Aren't these night lights cool?  I know two little girls that would want one with their names on it, for their room. :-)  And, with Easter right around the corner, this would make for a great surprise gift for their Easter baskets, don't you think? So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to the MyLight website to order and order a personalized night light for your child(ren) today.  

Make sure you use promo code "SPOTLIGHT" at checkout to receive $10 off your order.

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win a FREE MyLight personalized night light for that special child in their life (valued at $180), thanks to Greg.  To enter this giveaway, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway