As I wrapped up our 2025 year-end financials today, I found myself staring at our total sales numbers—numbers I’ve been tracking in a spreadsheet I built myself back in 2009, the year I started with Pace Lighting. If I had data from before then, I’m sure it would show a steep drop, but in a way, my records conveniently begin at the low point of the Great Recession.
It’s a little hard to believe I’ve been working in and on this business through all of these economic cycles. There was a nice spike in sales about nine years ago, but overall the long-term trend has been positive. The boom in 2020 still stands out, especially when you consider how many other businesses struggled during that period. Then came a strange outlier year in 2021, followed by another dip in 2025—one I’d squarely attribute to tariffs and a generally tumultuous economy.
Looking at the whole picture, it’s a reminder that business rarely moves in a straight line. I’m curious—does your business trend line look anything like this? Or has your experience been completely different?
Lisa Bartlett 
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