Driven by a desire to create a stronger financial future for his family, Mick Hogg started a lighting consultancy business in Phillip in 1972 and expanded into retail lighting and electrical wholesaling. Over the past 51 years, Project Lighting has expanded into a bigger showroom around the corner, and operates five more stores in the ACT and regional NSW.

What values guide your family business?

Maryanne: I think the care that we show our employees stems from our family values of honesty, humility and integrity. This is demonstrated by the number of long-term employees who have stuck with us through poor economic times and the good.

What unique advantages do you feel a family business brings?

Uniquely, family business is a long-term commitment so people know that we will be around for the future. Profits are not going to some faceless group of shareholders but are being retained to grow the business.

How do you handle disagreements in the business?

There aren’t any conflicts – what Mick says goes.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

There isn’t any work-life balance. When there is work to be done it gets prioritised. There’s time for life later.

How does your business adapt to change?

Our whole philosophy is based on what the customer wants – therefore we have always found it important to send our staff to international conferences to find out about the latest trends and technological developments.

We now run an online shop and make deliveries to customers in our local area.

How does your family business contribute to the local community?

We have supported locally based charities and schools throughout the history of the company and continue to do so.

Do you feel it’s important to support other local family businesses?

Yes, and we do. Many of our customers in the electrical contractor market are family businesses and they have been our customers for many years.

What advice would you give other families looking to start a business?

Pay for and develop relationships with quality business advisors, bankers, accountants, lawyers and insurers. Money spent on good advice in the planning stage is never wasted. You need to understand how much finance will be needed in a variety of scenarios. Put aside money to meet your taxation commitments from day one.

What is the best way for clients to contact your business?

Customers are very welcome to visit our showrooms in person. We have six: Phillip, Belconnen, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Ulladulla and Orange. Our phone numbers, addresses and trading hours are available on our website: www.projectlighting.com.au