Industry Online Retail Website www.1000bulbs.com Founded 1994 Type of business Privately Held | Key people Kim Pedersen, CEO Headquarters Garland Number of employees 200 | |
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Products Light bulbs, Christmas lights, home and decor lighting and other lightning products. Profiles | ||
1000bulbs com promotional video
1000Bulbs.com is a privately owned, Texas-based online retailer, providing light bulbs and related lighting products. The company was launched by CEO and Founder Kim Pedersen in 1994. The company is internet-based and one of the early adopters of online retailing. The company has won multiple awards for its customer satisfaction and line of products.
Contents
1000Bulbs.com distributes to consumers nationally across America including Alaska and Hawaii, but also ships internationally to countries such as Canada, England, and Australia.
History
In 1979, Kim Pederson responded to a newspaper ad for a lighting sales position and sold lighting door-to-door throughout the Midwest. Soon after, he moved to Texas to work for a national lighting distributor.
Although the company went out of business, Kim saw a great opportunity to advance his career. With inventory already in hand, he decided to take the opportunity to start his own business. He funded his new business with a small amount of personal savings and created an office in his back room. Self-employed and with no additional staff, Kim sold by day and invoiced by night. In his first year, he made $180,000.
In 1995, Kim began researching the World Wide Web as the new buying experience, and with only two employees, Service Lighting and Electrical Supplies, Inc. was launched a year later. Due to limited online competition, the company grew 60% in its first year. Two years later, the company began accepting payments online and had its first million dollar year in sales. In 2007, the company’s name was changed to 1000Bulbs.com.
In 2012, 1000Bulbs.com opened a two new product lines starting with home interior décor and following up later in the year with hydroponics equipment. Initially 1000Bulbs.com started their hydroponics section with grow lights, but their selection has expanded into everything from hardware to nutrients.
Current status
Today, 1000Bulbs.com enjoys annual sales of eight figures along with double digit sales growth and now employs over 200 people. Although its biggest competition is brick and mortar hardware stores who also sell light bulbs, the company has won numerous awards for its work. These accolades include being placed on the Dallas 100 by the Cox School of Business at SMU for recognition of being a fast growing, privately held company.
Location
1000Bulbs.com is located northeast of Dallas in Garland, TX, occupying 220,000 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space.