Cross Roads Podcast
Kelly Clay with Joyful Lighting Lights Up the Holidays
Kelly Clay tells us how Joyful Lighting can light up the holidays for your residence or your business or both.
Kelly Clay tells us how Joyful Lighting can light up the holidays for your residence or your business or both.
Cross Roads Podcast for those who want to be in the know. Good morning Cross Roads. This is your host, Steven Killfoil. And on the show today, I have Kelly with Joyful Lighting, a business located right here in Cross Roads. With the holidays just around the corner, Kelly will be sharing with you how to take advantage of her business's offerings. Kelly, would you tell our listeners a little about yourself and how you started Joyful Lighting? And how you chose Cross Roads for your business location.
Kelly Clay:Yes, thank you so much for having me on today. I'm really excited about this. I appreciate the opportunity. My husband and I started with I was a special education teacher in Frisco ISD. And my husband worked for Walmart at the distribution center in Sanger. When we were doing that we we wanted to do Dave Ramsey. And so we started a small business doing lawn care. And during COVID, we were stuck at home and it was quiet. We are kind of bored. And my husband has the skills and the training to do Christmas lights. And so we thought why not. So we added Christmas lights to our lawn care business. And it took off more than we realized. And we enjoyed doing it. And so since then we have dropped off the lawn care side because this is more of our passion. And it works out for our family. So my husband, Jeff and I have three young kids, we have a four year old daughter, a two and a half year old son and a one year old son. So having a Christmas life business. That's a shorter term. It works out perfect for our family and our season that we're in right now. And we live here in crossroads. And so we just absolutely love to serve our community and the neighbors and businesses around us.
Steven Killfoil:Well, that's fantastic. Well, my wife and I, we're both graduates of Dave Ramsey's school Financial Peace University, and we are totally debt free. Except for the mortgage, which will be paid off in 2035. In full Other than that, we're totally debt free. We have our savings account, our emergency savings, everything, we follow that to the letter, and I tell you what, it is a blessing to not be burdened by any debt.
Kelly Clay:Oh my gosh, I cannot agree more. We haven't gone through Financial Peace University. But I've gone to one of Dave Ramsey's conferences, and we follow the baby steps and we are the same. We're debt free, besides our mortgage on our house. And so with kids, we're still working on replenishing our savings as we go because they keep depleting it. But we're working those baby steps. So we love it. It's a great program,
Steven Killfoil:Right? And what a blessing you're able to make people's houses dance with bling on the holidays. How cool is that? Oh, absolutely. Well, tell our listeners, what
Kelly Clay:Yes, we love it. We love it brings cheer to us and our kids, they love to go see all the clients that we see. And it brings joy to the clients that we have as well, too. are some of the challenges you face in this business?
Unknown:Yes, um, some of the challenges are labor prices, our labor prices have gone up so much just in the last four years. And we really try not to pass those increases on to our clients every year, which has been hard. But we we know Christmas lights are an extra burden sometimes during the holiday season. So we try not to, but labor prices are hard and finding quality candidates. It's hard to find someone that's willing to climb up on a tall roof for a tall building, and willing to keep working hard. So those are some of our challenges. And then also the Dallas market, that we are competing with companies all over the metroplex. And we have some companies that don't provide the same quality product and the same quality installs. And also, we've even had we've gotten a couple clients where they've had a business come install for them and then they know showed for uninstalls and they were cheaper upfront, which is great. But then when they no showed at the end of the season, they came to us to have to uninstall. So sometimes prices look better up front but big picture. It doesn't always mean you're gonna get what you think you're gonna get. And it's sad. So.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah. Well what in the world did they do with all those lights? They didn't come back and get.
Kelly Clay:Yeah, well, the customers pay for the lights upfront. And so they, they got all of their, the company got their payment upfront, they installed the lights, and then they just never came back to uninstall. So then customers are on your own. Yeah. So they had to pay double that first year to have a new company come out and uninstall. So we've gotten a couple clients that way, which I'm glad to have them because we'll take care of them. And they refer us like crazy, which is wonderful. We love referrals. But I just feel so bad from that first year because they pay too much.
Steven Killfoil:Well, how does it work? Exactly? I mean, you say the customer pays for all the lights? So when you uninstall them, do you guys hold on to the lights for them till next year? Or do they just put them up in their attic? Or how's that work?
Kelly Clay:Yeah, most of our clients will store their own products, we have a few that we store products for. But for the most part, people like to keep their stuff and make sure it's safe. But some people their attics might be full, and we'll store them for them. So we offer it as an option. But typically, our clients install their or sorry, store their products.
Steven Killfoil:Great. Well, why don't you share with us how to get in touch with you are both online and in person?
Kelly Clay:Yeah, definitely. So since my husband and I have young kids text messages best, it's easiest for me to respond. When my kids are running around and being silly. I can go back and look at that easily. So my phone number if you want to get in contact with me is 214-738-7677. Also, I do respond to phone calls. Sometimes it just takes me a little bit longer because I want a quiet background. Otherwise, email is great. My email is Kelly, kelly@joyfullightingdfw.com. You can also visit us on Facebook we're joyful lighting DFW or website, same thing www.joyfullightingdfw.com. Any of those options are great, and I'll respond to you.
Steven Killfoil:Great. Well, I see on your Facebook page that you do not only residential, but commercial as well. Would you please tell us a little more about that?
Kelly Clay:Yeah, definitely. We're just dabbling in commercial but we have a few clients right now. We did a women's building in Denton, which is awesome. We love to serve them in that capacity. We're installing them actually today. We also do HOA insurances. We're doing one here in Crossroads this year, one in Frisco this year. So we're open to those. We've been a couple shopping centers and churches. And so we're open to any businesses. So if you are listening, and you have a business that you'd like to bring some Christmas cheer to and decorate the outside, contact us and we would love to serve you in that capacity.
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely. I'll have to pass this on to Jennifer, our president of our HOA here at Hillstone and see what we can do for you on that and I'll just pass that information directly to you.
Kelly Clay:Thank you. Yeah, we would love to do that.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, she's she's a pretty good gal. So if you're listening, Jennifer Joyful Lightnings DFW, make sure you call them because our Christmas decorum is kind of plain and could use a little bit of a sprucing up so let's make that happen. Absolutely. So, do you or your husband get a little scared climbing up so high on those ladders installing those lights.
Kelly Clay:So that question cracks me up because yes, it is a little bit scary. A couple of stories that I think are a little bit funny. We have a friend who is a firefighter and he climbs on all kinds of you know high buildings and roofs and puts out fires and keeps us safe. And his wife hires us to put up their Christmas lights. Because even though she knows he climbs up house high she does not want to watch it from her house and so we install their Christmas lights which cracks me up. But yes, I get nervous sometimes and I see him on roofs or ladders. Two years ago I saw him climb up a two storey house to put a wreath on and it was probably a 60-75 pound wreath for the big house and he clearly carried the wreath up the ladder and then had to swing it to the side to be able to hook it on the on the nail on the on the sorry I'm forgetting the word the nail but it was thicker than that. I'm not the installed screw. Yeah, the
Steven Killfoil:yeah support thing that held up there.
Kelly Clay:That's why that's what he does. And that freaks me out a little bit that scared me. I did not like watching that. But then he also gets concerned and is more slow and cautious and uses his safety equipment when it's windy, and things like that. So on a day like today When it's pretty windy, he is very slow on those roofs that on those ladders, we also have some extra safety equipment that we use to make sure that they are safe and secure. Because we don't want anything to happen to our guys. We also carry insurance so that way homeowners and customers are protected as well as us because you just never know.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, that's really good. That's good to know. Hello folks out there. Yes. They are licensed and bonded. insured. Yes. That's what that means. That's a good thing. Yeah. So tell me, what is your absolute most favorite display that you've ever put up?
Kelly Clay:So I like the different patterns that people do. A lot of people do pure white, or sorry, warm, why all one color, which is fun, and it's classic, and I love it. And I'll never get tired of it. And people do red and why the one red one white, which is fun, too. But I like when people do unique patterns. So last year, we had a client, the wife is a designer. And so I think she probably got it from her designer expertise. But she did warm white along her house. But then she has a few peaks. And we did multicolor going up the peaks and down the peak. So she had some pinks and greens and reds. And it just looks so different than everybody else around her notice loved it, the uniqueness of it. So it
Steven Killfoil:didn't all just kind of all the neighbor's houses lit up now and white bulbs.
Kelly Clay:Yeah, yeah, she was just different around her neighbors. And then we also have a neighbor who absolutely loves green. And she does warm, white, cool white, which is like a bluey white, along with green. And so it just says it's unique again, and it just looks different. She stands out. And so when you're going to see Christmas lights, you have a unique one that you get to see. And that's what's fun for me is those different ones.
Steven Killfoil:Sounds like a blast. Well, What are your current specials now?
Kelly Clay:Yes, so right now in October we're installing. I know it's crazy. Already installing Christmas lights in October. Halloween is not even here yet. But we are. So if you're interested in doing an October install, we do offer 10% off. So we still have a few openings and we can get you in. Now's the time to do it.
Steven Killfoil:Great. Well, do you also do it for other holidays other than just Christmas? I mean, like do you have a Halloween display that you can put up with pumpkins and skeletons and all kinds of stuff like that?
Unknown:Yes, we do. So we do Halloween colors on our house, we actually installed them today we do purple and orange and green which is a lot of fun. And we have a house in McKinney that we did as well along with a couple others so we can do bulk changes. So we can install Halloween colors in October and then come back out and change the bulbs out for Christmas colors. So we have a couple clients that do that, which is fun. It's just now starting to get into the DFW market Metroplex. But it's a lot of fun. We also offer permanent lighting. And so that's where the town of Little Elm has come along Eldorado Parkway, you'll see Hula Hut and the Police Station, they have permanent lights and their colors, you can change them. And so we also offer that if someone wants to change them, maybe if there's a football game going on, and they want to do certain colors or different holidays, they can just have them on year round.
Steven Killfoil:So you have a program that will actually so these are I'm assuming LED lights they are yes are multifaceted so they can change.
Kelly Clay:Yes. And they can chase each other and have different designs and stuff. So it's a lot of fun to play with.
Steven Killfoil:That sounds like something we might be interested in. It's fun. Well tell me something. What is your vision for the future of your business here in Cross Roads?
Kelly Clay:Yeah, we love decorating our neighbor's houses and getting to drive around and see all that and bring Christmas cheer to our neighbors. But I also really love the small town chair and charm of a small town. And so we I would love to decorate a lot of the the businesses and the shopping centers so that way when our residents and neighbors are driving around, you just feel warm, warm and cozy. With those holiday lights. I think we could bring more Christmas cheer to our small town of Cross Roads.
Steven Killfoil:Well, hey, have you thought about reaching out to Stephanie Housewright. She's the she's a Councilwoman. And she's also the Chair presently for the Parks and Recreation Committee. She would be a great person to reach out to I know they have holiday fall market. Then they have another one in November and another one in December. And I know they have some decorations, but it would be great if you could help them put them up. I mean, might want to reach out to her and see
Kelly Clay:Yes, I have she's actually house right? Yes, she's actually one of my neighbors. And I've talked with her and she gave me Donna's phone number or Donna's contact information. And I reached out to their office. And it sounded like they weren't ready for a company to do and yet they have someone And house that does it. But when they're ready, we are here. So I'm going to keep asking.
Steven Killfoil:Awesome. Yeah, I'm gonna stay in touch with Stephanie. Yes, she does an amazing job Parks and Rec. And she's a great council woman, she
Kelly Clay:works hard,
Steven Killfoil:excellent addition to the team. So I'm excited. I know, the town is staying true to the vision statement that they they did. And everything is just the construction is going. I'm going to have Commissioner Williams back on the show in January to give us all an update on the roads. That's wonderful. So we'll actually find out exactly when they're going to be done. He he told us last time I had him on here a few months back. Now we're looking at to a two year time slot. So by the end of 2025, this might be finished or might be earlier, because I mean, they're doing a great job. Yeah, so I'm excited. And now we have the high school. I'm even gonna get the Denton ISD superintendent back on the show, to give us an update on that, too. I'm just, you know, that'll be a great opportunity for you guys to work with the high school, decorating it commercially speaking. So yeah,
Kelly Clay:yeah, we love to see the work then. Yeah. Oh, yes, definitely. I appreciate it. And yeah, we love to see the progress in the in crossroads. My kids love to go down historic drive, and see the horses and the cows and the donkeys and so they were closed for a little while for construction on the roads. But they're glad that it's opened back up.
Steven Killfoil:that's such a relaxing drive, I will literally when I come home from work, I'll drive through there purposefully, just so you can slow down. I don't have to deal with the traffic on Naylor. I don't have to deal with the traffic on 380. It's just a very nice, peaceful, good, drive, I really enjoy it a lot.
Kelly Clay:And I love to meet the homeowners that live down there, too. We've gotten to meet a few, which is a lot of fun.
Steven Killfoil:That's great. That's great. So are you excited about all the growth that's going on in this area?
Kelly Clay:Yeah, it's neat to see the growth. And I really love to see all the new families and meet people that are moving into crossroads. But I also still really want that small town charm and community feel because I absolutely love to meet my neighbors and the people around me and get to know them and build community with everybody here in crossroads. So I still want to have that while we expand and grow. So
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely, absolutely. Well, were you able to come out and celebrate that the Founders Day event.
Kelly Clay:I wish that we were able to but my family wasn't we had some prior commitments with extended family that weekend. And we went out to Granberry to go see some aunt and uncles but I really want to be a part of it next year. I love to participate and support our community. So next year, I'm going to make sure we keep our schedule open.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, it was fantastic. We had, I was talking to Shiryl Thompson the other day that over 650 people show up for I love to so it was so successful that they're actually going to make this an ongoing annual event, which is fantastic. Yeah, there's a lot of interesting history about our area. The Indian tribes that occupied the place before the Pioneer settlers got here, and some of the remnants that's left over from them and the Potters, oh, the pottery shops. And yes,
Kelly Clay:I've gotten to meet when we go down historic drive, we've gotten to meet the man that lives there. And that pottery Oh, yeah, that's so neat. History. I love it.
Steven Killfoil:Me too. Me too. Well, is there anything I might have missed that you would like to add?
Kelly Clay:Not going to that I can think of. I've just really enjoyed coming on. And we are just a small family owned business with little kiddos running around. So sometimes my response time could be a little slow. But I love serving our community and our residents and we want to help everyone bring more Christmas cheer. So just reach out and let's decorate our town. I'm really excited for this upcoming season.
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, we heard it today from joyful lighting. Thank you, Kelly for coming on the show. I have a few announcements. Oh for those of you that were out there to celebrate Bonnie and Clyde days up there in Pilot Point. Mr. Jimerson did a fantastic job of doing Mr. Clyde Barrows. So we want to give a shout out and kudos to him. And don't want to miss that next year. Guys. This is an ongoing thing that goes on up there. Tuesday, October 24. At Jimmerson's Coffee House, the Coffee House Sessions are starting back up at 6pm. So bring out your fiddle Bring out your Bow strike it up with the rest of the local musicians for a night of jam. And don't forget on Thursday, October 26 Coffee House Game night so bring the family out for a fun night a good old board gaming or challenge, Mr. Jimmerson to a good game of chess. Don't forget to call Joyful Lighting at 214-738-7677 to light up your home in time for Halloween. On the national announcement, I had an article out from the Daily Signal by John Stossel. Regarding our government potential shutdown, the week the Republicans and Democrats got together to avert that government shutdown too bad. There's so much that ought to be shut down. Unless Cabinet departments for example, like Housing and Urban Development, labor and agriculture, agriculture employs about 100,000 people why and dependent farmers grow our food, they don't need a gigantic department. Oh, my goodness. The department didn't even exist before 1979. So how does education improved since then? Well, let's get rid of that department of education. Why Does it even exist? Education is a local responsibility, and none of the federal government's business yet it's spending up to 300% over the past 10 years. Oh, come on with program plans. No Child Left Behind and Common Core. They've helped no one but the bureaucrats. So trying to justify itself, the department funded studies of everyone's favorite government program Head Start, the experts were surprised to learn that the much praise program has no effect. by third grade, there was no difference between the kids that attended and those who don't. Education is best left to the local government and the parents. We don't need a commerce department either. After all, commerce just happens. Let's get rid of the bureaucracy and sell the buildings get rid of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I know Medicare's popular free stuff always is. But government's current health promises are unsustainable. As we live longer and want the newest and best medicines Medicare is on track to go broke. I'm on Medicare, and I get everything my doctor suggests. I never even asked about the crop prices. That's insane. Medicare and Social Security take money from the young and give it to those of us who had decades to invest and save. That's just unfair. Let people shop for free market plans let the market work. Once people pay their own bills, competition will drive the prices down. Health care would be less confusing and bureaucratic. Abolish the Food and Drug Administration. It's the big reason drugs are so expensive. It was created years ago when people were hurt by quack medicines. But today we have the internet and sites such as drugs.com. Let us decide for ourselves if we want to take the risk of taking a drug. Get rid of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the destructive war on drugs. The DEA spends $3 billion a year and does little bit raise the price of drugs. Switching users from drugs such as heroin to deadly or things such as fentanyl, Did we learn anything from alcohol prohibition, banning liquor created Al Capone and organized crime. Today there are no beer gangs or vodka cartels only because alcohol is legal. The drug wires is rules don't protect us from drugs. The mostly enrich murderous drug cartels so let's get rid of subsidies for NPR and PBS. Kill the Export Import Bank and Small Business Administration. Businesses should operate on their own. They shouldn't get handouts and dubious advice from government bureaucrats, privatized air traffic control Canada and dozens of other countries already have and their systems are safer and work better. That would save 2 billion and your flight would more likely arrive on time. Likewise, this privatize Amtrak and save $7 billion privatize the post office today. There are a lot of better alternatives. Of course, I'm dreaming government programs don't get shut down. They just grow. Washington claims every one of its activities is crucial and important. But that's nonsense. And the November 17 Continuing Resolution deadline isn't met and the government shuts down. Will you even notice if you outside the median and Washington bureaucracy noticed the last shutdown. Social Security Medicare postal office air traffic control the Passport Agency and irresponsible lending to college students will continue You during a government shutdown, Democrats sleep easily say they'd closed national parks. That's a government product that people definitely like. But they are outdoors. It's stupid to close the gates. President Donald Trump did not close them when the government shut down during his term. They'll close the parks because Democrats and many Republicans want to convince us that everything good comes from the government. It doesn't go ahead, shut most of it down. It might help. All right, folks. Well, that was it for the little national news broadcast that I had today. Stay tuned for next week as I bring on more exciting guests. And until then, I'll see you at the top