I started to work on this project when I solved a smoke detector problem for my father... He couldn't reach it.

I then reworked the solution for wired smoke detectors, and, in the end, light fixtures.

I designed and introduced a retrofittable mounting system for existing light fixtures (It went between the fixture and junction box -- Check out the photos or my web site). The product won many awards (from within the industry, and a few international-level awards), but we sold very few mounts. There was a clear "path to market" issue. Everyone LOVED the product and what it did, but nobody knew how to sell (or buy) a retrofittable light fixture mounting system.

The other lighting companies didn;t understand the maintenance need-payoff issues our product solved, so none of them wanted to include our mount with their fixtures... They were too busy trying to cut prices in this largely commodity-based industry.

We retooled the company, and designed a basic line of light fixtures that incorporated our mount. This was in the past few months, and it's looking like they will be a big hit with college dorms, public housing (think about hot-swapping damaged fixtures without needing a ladder). Assisted living centers and hotels are also looking closely at our fixtures.

Last year, the local government loaned us $100K to develop a line of recessed downlights ("Cans"). We introduced them in June at one of the major lighting shows... They're now being specified into many, many prjects around the country. We should start shipping the finished products around the beginning of the year.

We also just received another loan from the local government to develop a line of track lighting heads. This has been a heavily-requested fixture line from retail establishments, who have serious lighting maintenance issues with store lighting.