Carrying the Light: Our Hyde Park Debut and the Power of Women -Owned Small Businesses

October has always held a special kind of light.

The air turns crisp, the colors deepen, and in that golden glow, creativity feels a little more electric. This year, October brought with it two moments that felt beautifully intertwined: participating in the Hyde Park Square Art Show and celebrating Women-Owned Small Business Month.

A Weekend Among Artists

Set in the heart of Cincinnati’s Hyde Park Square, the art show was a celebration of craftsmanship, storytelling, and community — values that sit at the heart of Admiral Landings Designs. Being part of it for the first time was both humbling and invigorating. To be surrounded by so many talented artists, each pouring their vision into something tangible, was deeply inspiring.

Our booth became a quiet haven of light — a space where people paused, smiled, and shared stories about the homes and lamps that mean the most to them. There was something magical about those moments — hearing how the art and dedication of lampshade making reminded someone of their grandmother’s lamp, or how a handmade shade could bring warmth to a newly designed space in a way they never thought of before. It reminded me why I began this journey in the first place: to create lighting that connects emotion, artistry, and home.

The Light We Pass Down

What made this event even more meaningful was having my daughters by my side (only my eldest is shown). They helped with every step — from carefully packing shades to setting up the display, chatting with visitors, and helping me pack it all back up at the end of a long weekend. Watching them experience the rhythm of small business — the planning, the effort, the pride in seeing a vision come to life — was something I’ll always cherish (and hope they will too).

In a world that often celebrates instant success, I want them to see that building something by hand, heart, and persistence is its own quiet triumph. Every lampshade, every conversation, every show is a piece of that bigger lesson: that dreams require dedication, and that creativity and work ethic can coexist beautifully.

The Women Who Build

As October honors Women-Owned Small Business Month, I find myself reflecting on how vital women entrepreneurs are to the creative landscape. Across industries, women are reshaping what business looks like — infusing it with empathy, balance, artistry, and courage. We build not only companies, but communities; not only products, but examples for those who come after us.

For me, Admiral Landings Designs began at my kitchen table — an idea fueled by curiosity and courage that grew into a brand devoted to handcrafted lighting. Like many women in business, I’ve learned to navigate it all: design, production, marketing, family life, and the ever-evolving balance between ambition and presence. While the work is demanding, it’s deeply rewarding to show my daughters that they can create their own paths — that their ideas are worthy of light.

And every October, I’m reminded how many other women are out there doing the same — building something meaningful from the ground up, often with little more than a vision and sheer determination.

Carrying the Light Forward

As I packed up from the show and reflected on the weekend, I found myself thinking about what it means to be a woman-owned small business in today’s creative world. October’s designation as National Women’s Small Business Month feels like more than a calendar note — it’s a moment to honor the resilience, ingenuity, and quiet power of women who turn ideas into livelihoods, one thoughtful step at a time.

Being part of the Hyde Park Square Art Show for the first time was more than just an event. This work — the designing, the making, the sharing — is part of something larger. It’s about creating with intention, uplifting one another, and showing the next generation what it means to build something lasting from passion and perseverance. I’m filled with gratitude — for the community that continues to support small, handcrafted brands, for the women who keep building and inspiring, and for the young eyes watching closely, learning that light — in all its forms — is meant to be shared.

We can’t wait to return to Hyde Park Square next year — carrying with us new designs, new stories, and the same passion for illuminating spaces with grace, craftsmanship, and love.

Yours Truly,

The Illuminated Designer™