Grant Fields from Thunder Lighting Supply joins Captain Matt for a behind-the-scenes conversation on the Christmas lighting industry, building a supplier brand contractors actually trust, and why training the next wave of installers is not “ruining the market.”

In this episode of Captain’s Quarters First Class, Grant shares how he went from hanging Christmas lights in high school, running crews before most people even start a career, studying diesel mechanics, and eventually becoming one of the most recognizable faces behind Thunder Lighting Supply.

Captain Matt and Grant dig into what really matters in the holiday lighting business: speed, systems, branding, customer experience, training, and staying organized before your company outgrows you.

They also talk about:

• How Grant got started in Christmas lighting as a teenager

• Why Thunder Lighting Supply rebranded from Wholesale Holiday Lighting

• The power of trade shows, buckets, branding, and being memorable

• Why contractors should stop blaming new installers and start building better companies

• Selling vs. leasing Christmas lights

• Why free training helps elevate the whole industry

• How systems and SOPs help Christmas lighting companies scale

• Why outdoor lighting and holiday lighting are emotional services, not just products

If you install Christmas lights, landscape lighting, permanent lighting, or you’re trying to grow a seasonal service business, this episode is packed with real-world perspective from someone who has been inside the industry from the ground up.

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Lights. Legacy. Living. Captain’s Crew. Sink or Swim.

Ready to build a real outdoor lighting business?

🔹 Work with Captain Matt: https://www.captainmattoutdoors.com/

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🔹 Learn landscape + Christmas + permanent lighting: https://lightingtradeschool.com/