Former Wellness Entrepreneur Finds Joy in Outdoor Lighting With Blingle!
Cheryl Alker spent most of her career in the health and wellness industry. She owned a fitness studio in the United Kingdom, developed training programs for a governing board and worked on health prevention initiatives for the government. After decades in the field, she was ready for a change.
“I always said I wouldn’t be in health and wellness at 60,” Alker says. “I didn’t want to be that old deer still pushing people to work out. I needed something new.”
She and her husband turned to a franchise broker for guidance. Having built businesses from scratch before, she knew franchising offered an advantage. “Starting a business from the ground up is tough,” she says. “With franchising, the branding, logos and groundwork are already done.”
Their search led them to HorsePower Brands, a company with multiple home service franchises under its umbrella. Blingle! stood out. “I loved the idea of lighting,” Alker says. “It creates emotions. Whether it’s a party, a relaxing space or a child’s birthday, lighting makes a difference. “Blingle! specializes in outdoor lighting for homes and businesses. Services include holiday lights, permanent installations, landscape lighting and event lighting. The franchise offers design, installation and maintenance, creating customized solutions for clients. Since launching its franchise program in 2021, Blingle! has expanded to more than 40 locations across the country.
Alker launched her Blingle! business in February 2024 in Florida, covering Fort Myers Beach to Marco Island. “We originally bought two territories but quickly realized we were getting a lot of inquiries from Cape Coral and Fort Myers,” she says. “By August, we expanded, and now we cover from the edge of Punta Gorda all the way down to Marco Island.”
Running a service-based business came naturally to Alker, who was frustrated with the lack of professionalism she experienced as a homeowner. “No one values your time,” she says. “Companies cancel at the last minute, send different crews each time and don’t communicate. I wanted to change that.”
She is hands-on, managing operations, scheduling, marketing and customer interactions. “HorsePower Brands said you can be semi-involved, but in my opinion, you’re either in it 100% or you’re not,” she says. “I don’t go up ladders, but I do everything else.”
Marketing is a major focus. Alker invests in TV ads, home shows and SEO, adjusting strategies based on results. “Lighting is visual, so TV ads work well,” she says. “We also use home magazines and test different approaches to see what works.”
Commercial Clients
While most clients are residential, Blingle! also serves commercial customers. “You have to decide who your target market is,” Alker says. “If you try to be everything to everyone, the message gets diluted.”
One of her biggest successes has been permanent lighting for pool enclosures. “In Florida, pool enclosures are everywhere, and they’re pretty ugly,” she says. “We worked with a supplier to develop lighting that enhances them, and it’s taken off.”
Challenges include building a strong referral network. “At first, we were generating all our leads through marketing,” she says. “Now, we’re seeing referrals from pool enclosure companies and landscapers. We also have over 50 five-star Google reviews, which helps.”
For Alker, the best part of the business is seeing clients’ reactions. “When we turn the lights on, people say, ‘Wow.’ It’s a happy place to be,” she says. “If you don’t love what you do, it becomes a chore. You have to enjoy it, be well-funded and know your ideal customer.” With a growing team and an expanding territory, Alker has embraced her new career. “Blingle! is about bringing joy through lighting,” she says. “It’s rewarding to build a business that makes people happy.”
Blingle! Lighting Services
Blingle! offers top-quality outdoor lighting for homes and businesses. Services include:
- Holiday lighting. Bright, festive displays for homes and businesses.
- Landscape lighting. Stylish outdoor lighting to boost curb appeal and security.
- Event lighting. Beautiful setups for weddings, parties and special events.
- Permanent lighting. Year-round lighting for homes and businesses.
- Commercial lighting. Custom lighting to make businesses stand out.
For more information about the Blingle! franchise, visit the company’s website.
