By Laurel Decker
Photos by Susan Ayer
Brighton Light House
142 Brighton Lake Road Brighton, MI 48116
(810) 775-3588
connect@brightonlighthouse.com
Brightonlighthouse.com
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
You read it right. Brighton Light House (BLH) is three words. That’s because, unlike a “lighthouse,” BLH is not a cautionary beacon on a rocky shoreline—a vision that may have come to mind at first glance. Rather, the light radiating from BLH is one that beckons the community toward it with the sole purpose of providing space for individuals to find, nurture, and shine their own light.
If you think that sounds incredibly idealistic for a business model, you’re right again. Ultimately, it was the simple faith of husband-wife team Anna and Dan Oginsky that made it possible for this community gathering place to be built, and to surprisingly flourish, even as the global pandemic progressed.
The Oginskys began planning their business in December of 2016 and opened the doors in February of 2021. While it’s normal for a business of this scale to take years to be created and built, it is unusual to do such a thing during a worldwide pandemic. I visited BLH to find out some of the challenges that arose throughout the process and to learn how the couple overcame them.
Anna Oginsky greeted me with a warm smile and a hug before we began our tour around the property. She showed me individual private offices, large gathering rooms, and expansive outdoor spaces while pointing out the Michigan-made details that are incorporated throughout the property. Her husband Dan, a history enthusiast, was especially involved with finding the perfect items to preserve the essence of the original 1860s Michigan home.
So, how did Covid-19 affect their plans and progress? Imagine, as a first-time business owner, having your building under construction when you are told that building trades would soon be forced to cease operation for an unknown amount of time. Oginsky described it simply as “a strange time.” But she added, there were many gifts that appeared along with each challenge.
Laurel Decker: Were there any unexpected benefits that came from opening during the pandemic? If so, what were they, and why do you think it’s unique to the pandemic?
Anna Oginsky: Our focus was on creating a unique space where people could come to work, learn, grow, and share their gifts. The pandemic created a situation where places people typically go to do those things were no longer available—places like offices, restaurants, and classrooms. So, we could offer something that wasn’t available elsewhere. We have a unique event space with garage doors that create an open-air vibe that people love and, as it turned out, was very covid-friendly for gathering people together. We were booked last summer and I’m not sure the word would have gotten out as quickly if the pandemic didn’t create a need to find new, safe spaces to gather.
Laurel Decker: How have you, your staff, and your clientele dealt with the various mandates, such as stay-at-home, social distancing, masks, no masks?
Anna Oginsky: We followed all local and state mandates on when we could open to the public, masks, and social distancing, and CDC guidelines on how to handle exposure (we only had one). When masks were required, we also required them in common spaces. The nature of our business allowed us to also give people flexibility in determining their own level of comfort as well. We don’t have crowds, and most people worked individually behind closed doors so they could take their masks off when alone and in rooms where there were several people, we have the capacity to spread out. We also use air purifiers, hand sanitizing stations, and deep cleaning. We were able to maintain a safe, clean, welcoming environment, I think.
Laurel Decker: What is the most useful personal skill or trait that you, and/or your staff, have implemented to keep the business going?
Anna Oginsky: Staying open to what’s possible and curious about what would best serve our members and guests. We are constantly looking for new ways to provide a high-quality experience and we’re not afraid to pivot when what we’re doing isn’t working.
Laurel Decker: Is there a memorable moment, good or bad, associated with having a business during such an uncertain time that you could share?
Anna Oginsky: I’m struggling to find the right words to describe how it felt to be able to provide a safe space for people to gather after they had been unable to do so for so long. To witness the smiles, the hugs, the laughter, tears, and the palpable relief everyone shared in being in the same space again with loved ones was a gift and something I will never forget.
Laurel Decker: Is there anything you would have changed about how you handled business during the pandemic?
Anna Oginsky: When there were clear mandates, I felt confident in how we handled our business during the pandemic. It was much more difficult when there were no clear guidelines about what to do. We were constantly wondering if we were doing everything right to keep ourselves, our staff, our families, our members, and guests safe. I think we handled it well from where I sit now, but in the moment, I just never wanted to make the call that would cause someone to become ill. If anything, I guess I would have trusted myself more and not spent so much time worrying about the what-ifs.
Laurel Decker: What keeps you motivated to persist through the challenges of business ownership?
Anna Oginsky: In my heart of hearts, I know this business is about something bigger than day to day operations. It’s a calling and having faith in that is what keeps me motivated. Owning a business is harder than I ever imagined it would be, but I guess it’s a lot like parenting in that way. This path means I get to live the fullest possible life. It’s a privilege I try not to take for granted.
Before we wrapped up our tour and interview, Oginsky shared a little more about her business name’s play on words. She explained that as the building neared completion, she was still having a hard time committing to a final name. Oginsky said one day she just drove to the property and sat in front of the building before asking, “What is your name?” The answer from Brighton Light House simplified what she felt was her purpose in creating this business all along—illumination. We stood looking at the physical manifestation of what started as an idea, and Oginsky added, “We all have a light. Whether people come here to ignite the flame of doing something they’ve always wanted to do, to fuel a career or something they’re already good at, or to stand as a bride and groom in a wedding, it’s an invitation to shine.”
Well said, and thank you to the Oginskys, and other business owners, who continue to illuminate a path of hope as we collectively find our way out of the darkest days.
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