Meet Bayan Kabbani

We were lucky to catch up with Bayan Kabbani recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bayan, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I always try to see the bright side of things, even when it seems difficult to. I really believe that things will work out and there’s always a silver lining to every situation. It’s easy to get caught up in negatives, but I filter that out and focus on possibilities rather than limitations, and approach life with confidence and a sense of humor.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Take a trip down memory lane with me, where my journey in entrepreneurship began at the young age of 11. Picture those sunny summer days where I set up my stand to sell ice-cold lemonade, and weekends spent detailing cars in Manhattan Beach. But that was just the start; I also washed windows, mowed lawns, collected and resold shoes, and traded Pokémon cards – talk about a blast from the past!

Fast forward to 15, when I kicked off a holiday lighting business, initially just a side gig while still navigating high school. It was a crash course in entrepreneurship, teaching me valuable lessons from our early missteps.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, I worked as a Production Assistant at major networks in New York. But the corporate grind didn’t quite fit, so I returned to Los Angeles to focus on expanding and refining my holiday lighting business – a pivotal phase where I learned the ins and outs of running a successful enterprise through hands-on experience and learning from mistakes.

What started as a small operation decorating homes in beachside communities gradually turned into a venture attracting high-profile clients and commercial projects for companies like Google, Apple, Old Navy, Sketchers, TBS, and more. At Lights Up Today, we’re all about delivering top-notch lighting products and customer service, while staying strongly committed to giving back to our community.

I don’t just aim for business success; I’m dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children in need, especially during the holidays. Through supporting charities such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, and A Place Called Home, I strive to bring inspiration and hope to those who need it most.

In addition to Lights Up Today, I also run a production company (Bayno Shoots), specializing in Real Estate Media, Multi-Purpose Videography, and Content Creation. My top priority is finding a balance between these ventures and spending quality time with my daughter.

As Lights Up Today continues to grow, we’re on the lookout for motivated individuals to join our dynamic team. If you want to learn more about our opportunities or have any referrals, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to hear from you!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

There are so many qualities and skills that really make a difference in a business. Personally, the top 3 most important ones are Communication, Leadership, and Problem-Solving.

Having good communication and empathy really sets the tone for a positive company culture. I’ve witnessed how it enhances all aspects of my business, from efficiency to innovation and customer experience. You know, communication isn’t just about talking – it’s about being a great listener, too.

Leadership is another building block of a great business. Motivating a group of people toward a common goal can be quite a challenge, but leading by example and choosing the right team to work with is crucial. Being in charge is more about inspiring, supporting, and helping others grow individually than barking orders at people.

Problem-solving is also a big part of it all. It can be a straightforward task or a complex one, but it’s all about finding the best solution and dealing with unexpected challenges. From my experience, being able to handle surprises and solve problems quickly is essential for running any business.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

“Atomic Habits” is an awesome book that taught me the importance of good habits and productivity. I knew having the responsibility of running multiple businesses would take a toll on me if I didn’t have a guide to breaking some bad habits. The author James Clear shares very practical strategies and techniques for changing bad habits based on personal experience and scientific research. It helped me out tremendously.

He breaks down each step as an atomic habit, which can lead to small but impactful changes in our lives. By giving these suggestions and techniques a try, individuals can make positive improvements in their lives. It’s a great read for anyone looking to grow personally and achieve daily wins.

Here are some of the golden nuggets I took from this book:

1. Make a list of your habits and rank them according to how much they’ll benefit you in the long run.
It’s a great way to figure out which habits really add lasting value to your life and which ones might be holding you back from your bigger goals.

2. If you want something to be a big part of your life, make it a big part of your environment.
It’s a simple but powerful idea. Want to eat better? Make sure you have plenty of healthy food in your kitchen to nudge out those unhealthy options. Want to learn the guitar? Keep it in your living room for easy access. By tweaking your environment to support your habits, you’ll find it easier to stick to your goals.

3. Question those habits that give you instant pleasure.
Remember, the more immediate pleasure you get from something, the more you should ask yourself if it really aligns with your long-term goals.

4. Focus on your identity, not just your goals.
According to James, “The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.” In other words, habits are like “votes” for your identity. By focusing on behaviors that help you become the person you want to be, not just the goals you want to reach, you’ll develop a deeper connection with your habits.

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