Meet the people building Celebright.

Bringing joy through light, and building something bigger than we ever imagined.

Dan’s story with the company started in a very personal way, trying to find a safer, simpler solution for hanging holiday lights on his own house. What began as a DIY fix quickly sparked interest from neighbors, and before long, it grew into a business that’s now expanded across Canada and the U.S. “It was obvious we had product-market fit right away,” Dan says. “We started in my garage, and today we’ve built a community around something that was just a solution for our own house almost 10 years ago.”

Entrepreneurship isn’t new to Dan. Before founding the company, he ran a recording studio, then served as COO of Empress Effects, a global guitar pedal manufacturer. For him, business has always been another creative outlet. “I went to school for music, but I realized over time that building companies gave me that same outlet for creativity.”

What makes this company special, he believes, isn’t just the technology, though being a pioneer in the lighting industry has given them a strong competitive edge. It’s the people. “We’ve built this organization around our values. It’s people, people, people. That’s what drives us,” he explains. From a flexible, health-oriented culture to a deep focus on customer success, the company is designed to make work rewarding and meaningful.

Looking ahead, Dan is focused on growth. “We’ve been recognized as one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing companies, and we don’t see that slowing down,” he says. With expansion plans into the U.S. and overseas, he’s excited to bring on new leaders who share the vision. “This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to flex their marketing muscles in a fast-growing industry. We’re building something big, and we want people who are excited to grow with us.”

The joy is in the people, and sometimes their dogs.

When you ask Andrew Baron what he loves most about his job, his answer comes instantly: the people. “Meeting customers, getting to know them, even meeting their dogs, that’s one of my favorite parts,” he says.

Andrew joined the company during a major life shift. After the manufacturing company he worked for closed its doors, he found himself with young children, a mortgage, and the need to start fresh. He ran the opportunity past his parents, and his father’s advice was simple: “Go for it, it never hurts to give it a shot.” Six years later, he’s still here, and thriving.

“It’s the only place I’ve worked where overtime doesn’t feel like extra work,” Andrew explains. “When something needs to get done, you just want to help. That’s the culture here.”

That culture, he says, is as close to family as a workplace can get. Many people are connected through friends, high school, and family ties, and everyone genuinely supports each other. “When we say it’s a family environment here, it really is.”

Working alongside Dan, Andrew is inspired by his constant stream of ideas and his drive to improve the customer experience. “He’s got a brilliant mind, always coming up with new ways to make products better and processes more efficient. It’s exciting to be part of that process.”

For Andrew, “bringing joy through light” means watching customers’ faces when they see their system turn on for the first time. “The look of shock and amazement, that’s what it’s all about.”

Lighting homes, building community, and a few biceps.

Drew Casterton’s day job is making sure customers are ready for their lighting installation, visiting homes, answering questions, and ensuring everything goes smoothly for the crew. But that’s only half the story.

In his other role, Drew runs the in-house gym and offers personal training sessions to his colleagues. “I’ve been a personal trainer for decades,” he says. “I have a degree in kinesiology, and to be able to do that here, while also contributing to the company in a completely different way, is amazing.”

Drew joined the company almost by accident. “I thought I was being hired as a trainer,” he laughs. “But I wanted to work for Dan, I’ve known him for decades, respected him beyond belief, and wanted to be part of what he was building.”

That decision has paid off. Drew calls the workplace “inclusive and welcoming, you’d be hard-pressed to find better.” He also loves how Dan keeps the culture light and human: “Beer Fridays, Christmas parties, food trucks, customer events, it’s not all about the bottom line.”

When it comes to “bringing joy through light,” Drew sees an often-overlooked benefit: safety. “Our product keeps people off ladders, that’s huge, and it means peace of mind for a lot of homeowners.”

From hands-on work to guiding the whole ship.

Jon Clark’s career with the company spans just about every role you can imagine, installations, programming, manufacturing, fulfillment, and today, he serves as Chief Operating Officer.

His favorite part of the job? “The people. It’s a fun environment where everyone is driving toward the same goal,” he says. “If you want an environment with pace, where you can enjoy your work, see your accomplishments, and feel proud of them, this is the place.”

Jon first joined because of the unique, exciting product and the opportunity presented by a friend and Dan. Years later, he still values the same things, and has even greater respect for the team’s ability to innovate and grow together.

Working with Dan is another highlight. “He’s ambitious, goal-driven, and has the highest integrity of anyone I’ve worked with,” Jon says. “He’s a problem solver with an open-door policy, always willing to dive into details to get things done.”

For Jon, success comes from balancing ambition with collaboration, and creating an environment where every team member can take pride in what they accomplish.

Shaping the brand, telling the story, and keeping the light cohesive.

As Creative Lead, Joshua wears a lot of hats. He manages projects, oversees the content team, and ensures that every piece of marketing, from video to print, stays consistent with the brand. “Our team is the cornerstone,” he says. “The content we create fuels all our other marketing channels.”

Joshua’s path here started when he moved to Canada and joined during a time when everyone was “figuring it out together.” That early stage gave him the opportunity to help shape the brand and watch the company grow. “It’s rewarding to see my ideas come to life,” he says.

One of his favorite analogies for the team is about light itself: “We’re all different colours of the spectrum and when we all come together we make Celebright. We’re all individuals but we all bring something good to the team and when we’re all together we make something cool”

The work environment, he says, is “adult-friendly”, flexible, non-micromanaged, and human. “We get our jobs done, we have flexibility, and we’re treated like people.”

Working with Dan has shaped Joshua’s own thinking. “There’s a desire to do good work, but also to learn from him. My thought process has evolved because of that.”

When it comes to “bringing joy through light,” Joshua ties it back to the spectrum analogy, aligning core values and allowing space for ideas that might move the needle, even if they weren’t in the original plan.

Collaboration is where the magic happens.

Leticia Khouri’s role as a Marketing Communications Specialist is as dynamic as it is creative. She wears many hats, from conceptualizing social media campaigns to managing blog content, and balancing both B2B and B2C communications. “I’m really at the forefront of a lot of the comms work,” she says, “and I love that it’s a mix of strategy and hands-on engagement.”

What stands out most to Leticia is the collaborative energy of the marketing team. “Everyone brings something brilliant to the table, different talents, perspectives, and ideas, and when you genuinely like the people you work with, that collaboration flows naturally,” she explains. This synergy helps turn projects into polished final products everyone can be proud of.

Leticia also connects deeply with the product itself. “It’s practical but also beautiful. Our architectural lighting enhances people’s homes in everyday life, but it also allows for festive moments and personal expression, which makes it really special.”

When asked about the company’s core value of “bringing joy through light,” Leticia’s answer is personal: “For me, the joy comes from spending time with my coworkers. I genuinely look forward to coming into the office every day, it’s a space where creativity and support coexist.”

If she were to describe the company culture to someone new, Leticia wouldn’t hesitate: “It’s all about balance, a great work-life blend where you have the freedom to be creative and the understanding to be yourself. Compared to all the offices I’ve worked in, this is hands-down my favorite place.”

People here look out for each other, and that makes the work fun.

Matt Aston oversees manufacturing and fulfillment as the Shop Foreman, a role that puts him at the center of product quality and process efficiency. But it’s the human side of his job that really energizes him. “I love training people and building relationships. Finding new ways to make our processes smoother and less wasteful keeps me engaged every day.”

Matt’s journey to the company began in the midst of the pandemic, during a time of career uncertainty. “Dan invited me to come on board, and I made a career change. Six years later, I’m still here and couldn’t be happier.”

He describes the work culture as refreshingly different from anywhere else he’s been. “Here, it’s not just about hitting targets, we actually have fun doing it. We set goals, we challenge ourselves, but we also look out for each other. That sense of camaraderie makes a huge difference.”

Dan’s leadership style has played a big role in Matt’s positive experience. “Dan is open-minded and listens. If you bring ideas to him, he’ll engage thoughtfully and give you helpful feedback. It’s not a top-down approach, it’s a real partnership.”

When asked what “bringing joy through light” means in his role, Matt is clear: “It’s about making sure our products meet and exceed customer expectations, creating satisfaction that leads to lasting relationships. That’s what brings me joy.”

Every day, I get to connect with people from all walks of life.

Tarah Hay leads the dealer onboarding team, welcoming new business partners and guiding them through the early stages of their relationship with the company. She thrives on the variety of people she meets, from established business owners to aspiring entrepreneurs across the country.

Joining when the company was still small, Tarah has witnessed rapid growth firsthand. “It’s fast-paced and busy, but that energy keeps things exciting. I appreciate that even as we’ve grown, my opinions have always been respected, right from the very beginning.”

What sets the company apart for Tarah is the culture of collaboration and trust. “We work hard, but we also have a lot of freedom to make decisions. That trust empowers us to do what’s best for the company every day.”

Working with Dan is a highlight for Tarah. “He’s very data-driven but also incredibly people-focused. And when he talks about our core values, he really means it, they’re a real guide for how we approach our work.”

Her advice for someone considering joining? “Just do it. The work is challenging and rewarding, the people are fantastic, and there’s a real sense of pride in watching the company grow. It’s an environment where you can build a career and enjoy the journey.”