Whenever 3-year-old Alexis Hack passes a home or business with twinkling lights, it's a guarantee that she will attribute the sparkly designs to her father.
"She's a riot," said Bill Hack, owner of Christmas Decor and Bill's Outdoor Care, with a laugh. "She thinks we do everyone's home."
Hack, who started his lawn care business at age 12 and still has two of his original customers 18 years later, bought a local branch of the Texas-based Christmas Decor company eight years ago.
"I learned about it at a trade show in Chicago and it took me about a year to decide to do it," he said. "It was a big investment, but it's been well worth it."
During his first year with the company, Hack nabbed a contract to decorate 25 fast food restaurants. Since that time, he has averaged a 95-percent retention rate for returned customers.
"This has filled a big void between the seasons for us," Hack said. "When I first started thinking about this, I asked myself 'Would people actually pay for this?' and you know what, they do."
Touted on its national Web site, www.ChristmasDecor.net, as the nation's largest professional holiday decorating firm, the company specializes in transforming homes and businesses into winter wonderlands.
"We do everything for you," said Hack, noting that the company provides lights, supplies, any decorations and maintenance. "A lot of people choose us because they are either afraid of heights, can't get the lights to look the way they want or are too busy to do it themselves."
The Real Life Farm on Geddes Road and The Showroom of Elegance on Canton Center Road are among Hack's favorite places to decorate.
"This is our third or fourth year going with (Hack) and before that, we were doing it ourselves but it wasn't nearly as nice because we weren't climbing on the roof," said Linda Robin, Showroom of Elegance owner. "We try to support local businesses as much as we can and he does good work."
Hack, who is still accepting order for this holiday season, is able to customize packages but said average prices range from $500 up to several thousand.
"Even with this economy, a lot of my customers have told me that the lights make them feel good," he said. "They make the kids happy and have become a bright spot for families."
tlparks@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2170
Company specializes in lighting up the season