Decorative lighting trend electrifies woman's online business

While sitting on her deck one evening with her husband, Chris Marchewka envisioned a strand of lights to brighten things up.

The idea for a business selling decorative lights sparked soon after. She had a difficult time finding exactly what she wanted.

Three years ago, Marchewka launched Oogalights.com to sell party and decorative lighting. Things started off slow and she'd get about 20 hits a month on the Web site. She now gets about 200,000 hits a month and about 500 orders during that time.

Marchewka carries a wide variety of indoor and outdoor string lights shaped in a variety of shapes including baseballs, princesses and turkeys for Thanksgiving. "I try to offer a different selection," Marchewka said.

The novelty lights start at $11.95 a strand and run up to $99 for designer lights.

Marchewka has added to the selection by providing paper lanterns and decorative lights for weddings and parties. She recently sold to a company looking to decorate a movie set.

Customer's desire for decorative lighting has really expanded over the years as people decorate for additional holidays beyond Christmas, especially Halloween and Fourth of July.

The business owner said orders are already coming in for Halloween. Her customers are also starting to think and make purchases for Christmas already.

There are about 1,000 items available on the Web site at www.oogalights.com.

Marchewka runs the business in Elgin in the same warehouse where her husband, Joe, owns a maintenance and industrial supply company.

The couple resides in Hampshire where they have a 6-year-old daughter, Sydney. Marchewka's stepdaughter, Kate, is 22 and assists in the businesses.

"It's a family business and making customers happy is important to us," said Marchewka, 42. "I really love what I do," she adds.

Prior to launching the business, she was a stay-at-home mom who assisted Joe with his company. She also worked in the medical records department at a hospital in the past.

Recycle and save: Cartridge World recently opened a new location in Libertyville.

The business, at 1316 S. Milwaukee Ave., offers printer cartridge sales and recycling. The shop caters to walk-in customers and offers pick-up and delivery to businesses.

Customers can bring their empty name-brand ink and toner cartridges into Cartridge World and have them refilled while they wait, swap out an original cartridge, or purchase one already refilled.

Daniel Silberman is the franchise owner of the new location. For more, call (847) 996-0642 or check out www.cartridgeworldusa.com.