May 8, 2017

Meet Bryan Laughlin of Concept Effects in Downtown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Laughlin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Bryan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Back in 2003 I was attending the Art Institute of Denver majoring in Live Special FX and industrial Design. Around the same time I was heavily involved in the Halloween Industry designing for some of Chicago’s haunted houses. I chose to leave school and start a business centered on theme lighting, concept lighting, and special effects lighting. Since lighting has been a passion of mine since I was young, I focused my business on the event industry and the rest is history. We are currently Chicago’s Premiere Lighting and Event Company specialize in creative customized events and have been in business for 10 years now.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first couple of years were rough. Gauging the market and finding ways to fit. Initially we were offering high grade equipment and the costs were too much. Since then, we have partnered with a great company that has given us the ability to expand and create one of a kind events for all of our clients. The event industry is a rocky road. It is over saturated with companies which makes it hard every day. However, we are proud of our quality of work and have won over 20 awards in 6 years so I couldn’t be happier.

Concept Effects – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Concept Effects specializes in lighting and entertainment for weddings, corporate/private parties, festivals, concerts, parades, bar/bat mitzvhas, graduations etc. Our proudest moment is the Chicago Cultural Miles Halloween Gathering Festival and Parade. We hang over 6000 linear feet of lighting down Columbus drive and provide scenic lighting around Buckingham fountain. Since Halloween has always been my Christmas, being a part of such an amazing festival and parade has been a dream come true.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me success is what you make of life. Believing in your overall goals and seeing them through is true success. It doesn’t matter how much money is in the bank account, if you’re truly happy with what you do, than you have found success. To this day, I get more enjoyment seeing a client’s reaction to our work than any other facet of the business. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing that first smile.

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