You know that feeling in your gut that screams so loud, you can't ignore it. It's that tugging feeling that says don't walk by "that" alley while you are heading home after a night out, or" turn left" when you're lost. Sometimes that gut feeling turns out to be right, especially when that "left turn" was the one that got you back from being lost. For the other times, you will just never know. Four years ago, after I was happily laid-off, I had a gut feeling, a strong gut feeling that this was it, my chance to do what I want with my life. It was saying: "No more second chances, if you don't seize the opportunity, if you turn a deaf ear to me, then a life of grey cubicle walls and fluorescent lighting will forever be your future!". Well, I will never know if my gut was right, but today I am doing what I want with my life. Brian and I knew that for LightMiner to be successful, we needed to be innovative. After about six months of trial and error, we perfected a process to take my artwork and turn it into a translucent panel, using 1/8" or 1/4"-thick acrylic as the base. Rich with color, texture and a three-dimensional quality, we discovered something that until we did it, was never done before! Our process uses modern technology combined with traditional methods, however we do not use any screen printing, transfers, or transparencies. Having the panels figured out was just the beginning. From there we developed our lamps, lanterns, night lights and other functional accents. If there is one thing that separates my life developing LightMiner versus my previous jobs, it is freedom. I create with a freedom that fuels my creativity. Over the last few years LightMiner has continued to evolve, although the panels and overall shape have stayed consistent. We update our look every year, keeping it fresh. Besides, I would go crazy if I did the same thing over and over, year after year. Variety truly is the spice of life!