Our Beginnings at Steel
We started selling lights out of our tiny one bedroom apartment, literally storing the lights in our closet. When we decided to really start the business, we rented our first warehouse in Gardena, CA.
Our Story
Journey Timeline
2016
Behind the Scenes
Learning our Craft
We knew that our quality and craftsmanship were defining features of our lights so we wanted to learn from the best. We took a trip to Tennessee to learn powder-coating hands on and we continue to use the same techniques in our production process.
Products
The OGs at Steel
From our first apartment in Venice, CA to our first location in Gardena, CA; our first two families of lights were born. Introducing the Venice and the Gardena barn lights!
2017
Milestone
Steel as a Brand
One thing we realized was that we wanted to shift from just selling lights to being a lighting company, with its own identity and brand. A couple of our best friends helped put this video together, showcasing our fixtures and the community we were beginning to make.
Behind the Scenes
Gaining Momentum
In our first year of business our mission of making a high quality product at a fair price was being well received by customers throughout the country. We were blown away by the way customers were responding to Steel Lighting. We were so excited when we found out that our business would not be our only baby. We began trying to figure out how new business owners would now become new parents!
Products
Can't Beat the Classics
As demand for our lights grew, we started to expand our product line: new shapes, new sizes, all in response to customer feedback. Characterized by their rustic, timeless charm, these lights would become our "Classics" for a reason.
2018
Milestone
Welcoming Ella
A whirlwind of a year came to a close with the birth of our precious Ella. The 3rd member of the team officially arrived!
Behind the Scenes
Our First Employee
We didnât just have one new employee join the team, we had two! Cecilia who had worked with Aaron on a previous project was the first call when we needed some backup that baby Ella couldnât handle. Cecilia helped set the tone for the type of high quality employee that would become a staple of our business.
Products
Making Things the Old Fashioned Way
We took the time to learn the traditional way of spinning domes - by hand! A challenging and time-consuming process, we couldnât argue with the results.
2019
Behind the Scenes
Meet Charlie!
Charlie was our family dog when we founded Steel and he clocked-in at the warehouse every day, providing a watchful eye on our precious lights, our first security guard. Fun fact: we would arrange our boxes into a wall like you see here in order to keep Charlie from leaving early for the day. And, even though heâs been retired for some time, we still stack our boxes up like this every day.
2020
Behind the Scenes
Maintaining a Growth Mindset
After 4 years in business, we continued to grow and think outside the box. We launched an entirely new product family and our team grew to meet the increased demand for our lights. It wasnât always easy, but we faced every challenge with perseverance and a grateful attitude.
We moved!
Just as exciting it was to sign that first lease in 2016, it was incredible to secure a larger more permanent facility in North Hollywood. We never shied away from hard work and the new location needed a ton of TLC before we could move operations.
Products
Demand Creates Innovation
With our feet firmly set, we decided to branch out in order to meet the numerous requests for more contemporary designs. We started out with the Melrose, a gorgeous pendant that proved we could put a modern touch on our steel lights.
2021
Behind the Scenes
New Location, Same Steel
After months of construction, we were finally ready to make the move to our North Hollywood location. This beautiful facility was much larger and we could put our own touches on it.
2022
Milestones
Our First Commercial
What better way to show off our new location than with our first real commercial? We wanted to tell the world about who we were, what we stood for, and how our products were different.
Our Story
While we still had so much in front of us, we wanted to take a step back to reflect on our journey up to this point: how it all started and how far we had come. If only we had known just how much was in store!
Behind the Scenes
Jack on deck
Our family grew from 3 to 4 as we welcomed our son Jack. One of the best perks of moving our facility was that it was only a few minutes from home, so pop ins from the kids could happen more often!
Products
New Age for Steel
With the success of the Melrose, we launched an entire Modern line of fixtures with rounded domes and softer angles. As we diversified our products, we also developed a set of new colors that are perfect for more contemporary designs.
2023-2025
Products
Iterating on our Favorites
Even as things were going well, we didnât rest on our laurels. We continued to push the envelope and create lights that felt familiar but also fresh. For our Classics, this effort produced our Topanga, Griffith, and Colfax. In the Modern lights, we created the Sunset, Moorpark, and Coldwater.
2024
Behind the Scenes
Your Wish is Our Command
Our production and fulfillment departments had worked side by side from the moment we opened our doors. It was time for each area of the business to have its own independent space. We were fortunate to find another warehouse just a few blocks away where we moved our fulfillment and customer service departments. We get together every Friday morning for about 30 minutes as a complete team. Itâs the highlight of our work week.
Here's Benji!
Well it should be no surprise that we welcomed another beautiful boy into the crew on the same year weâre making another huge move. Benji has become a frequent visitor around the factory and he certainly is received with love.
2025
Behind the Scenes
Planting Time
The year where the seeds were planted. We have two new collections come in the following year, and the family is growing in more ways than one.
2026
Behind the Scenes
Where we are now
So much has changed over the years, and yet the most important things have not: we are still family owned and operated, committed to serving everyday Americans, and producing the highest quality lights with the end user in mind. We havenât ever compromised on these things and we wonât start now. To be continued!
Products
Introducing Glass Line
We decided to take a big leap of faith and explore beyond steel - the thing that has defined us for nearly a decade. We remain responsive to our incredible customers and we are excited about this new direction. No matter the material, the quality will always be the same.
Introducing Mini Line
Now you can take Steel wherever you go with our new Mini Line and the ability to plug-in our fixtures. These miniature versions of our most popular designs are perfect for lighting the way, no matter where youâre headed next.
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