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Work Space: The Bright man |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 23 November 2006 |
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Erin Hooley |
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Brandon Hock leans against his handiwork in downtown Fort Collins. His company, Hock Premium Lighting, put up all of the lights in downtown this year.
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Brandon Hock lights up the town this time of year. He and about six others put in more than a thousand man-hours to make Fort Collins shine for the holidays.
“I’ve always liked Christmas a lot, so it’s fun to do the lights,” he said. “Every year people get more involved with the Christmas lighting downtown.”
The 34-year-old from Livermore is the owner of Hock Premium Lighting in Fort Collins. The company focuses on lighting fixtures, security lighting and sign maintenance for businesses for much of the year, but come the end of September, holiday lighting takes the spotlight.
Hock Premium Lighting decorates for the city of Fort Collins, hotels and between 30-50 residents each year. More than 3,000 strands wrap tree trunks and messily lay within branches in Old Town.
“The lights bring people back to their childhood,” Hock said. “It’s amazing how big a hit Christmas lights are. They bring a level of ambience and childhood memories. Plus, the lighter and brighter an area, the more secure people feel.”
Even though his crew only spends about 40 days putting up the lights, it’s a year-round project. Hock meets with the city, the Downtown Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority in preparation.
When it comes to decorating his own home, Hock sticks to the inside. He said after decorating Fort Collins, he gets too tired to hang lights on his own home. So, when his family wants to see a spectacle, members head to Old Town.
But the sweat and strain isn’t over once Santa has come and gone.
“We start removing them in January,” Hock said. “The hardest part is removing the lights because of all the work that goes into putting them up. It’s hard to take them down.”
For now though, Old Town twinkles and sparkles. When the holidays are over, Hock will box up the lights until it’s time to shine again next year.
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VITAL STATS
Name: Brandon Hock, 34, Livermore
Company: Hock Premium Lighting, 4867 U.S. 287, Fort Collins
Title: Owner
How long have you worked there? Five years
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IN HIS WORDS
What makes this job challenging?
The physical labor aspect of everything.
What doesn’t impress you?
When some companies out there care more about money than taking care of the customers.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
I knew I’d be doing something where I’d get dirty. I like getting dirty. I knew I would do something where I was self-employed.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Probably something with real estate.
Stupidest thing you’ve done while at work?
I locked the keys in the car.
The most unusual thing you’ve done to make money?
Some of the farm houses or riding areas we do, we go up really high in the air and change lightbulbs. Those are some of the craziest jobs.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
I enjoy the sales part of it. I enjoy meeting new customers and working with past customers.
What prepared you for your job?
Mainly it’s the way I was raised. My whole family is self-employed.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Besides the money, the satisfaction and instant gratification. When you change a light bulb, flip it on and it works instantly, you have the gratification of fixing lights and fixing fixtures.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Some days yes and some days no, because I’m too mean.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I play with the kids a lot and take them on horseback rides and stuff.
Pets? Family?
A wife and three kids. We have a farm with horses, cows, chickens, turkeys and all that stuff.
Favorite TV shows.
I don’t watch much TV. There’s no time for it.
Movies.
I’m still a Star Wars fan.
Books.
I’m into old history and World War II books. That’s what I’m reading right now.
Go out to eat?
Home because I don’t eat at home much. My cooking is usually better than eating out anyway.
Favorite spot?
The mountains.
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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