Eclipse Creative started as a commercial photography studio in 1994. In their 30 years of business, they have expanded into a creative services company with three divisions offering photography, video, retouching, design, grand format printing, collateral printing, 3D printing and fabrication, installation, plus trade show and event services. Eclipse has been igniting their clients’ brands for the past 30 years with innovative solutions.
Conway Center was invited to the Eclipse Creative head office to see some of the impressive people and equipment at work. We sat down with Jeff Burt, Owner/CEO, to discuss the company as they pass through this terrific milestone of 10 years of membership with Conway Center and their 30th anniversary!
How many generations are involved in the business?
My wife and I launched the business in 1994. For the first few years, I worked in the business while my wife had a separate full-time job. Then, when the company could support both of us, she joined Eclipse. We have two children who each own a small portion of the business. We currently have two generations and three family members working at Eclipse Creative.
Congratulations on reaching 30 years in business this year! How have things in your business changed?
Very few things are the same as they were 30 years ago! When we started the business, digital photography did not exist, and we shot film. Today, everything’s digital, and we have not shot with film in almost 20 years! Digital printing has evolved and is much faster and higher quality. A print that took eight hours 25 years ago can now be printed in 50 seconds. Technology continues to evolve, and we keep investing so we have the newest and latest tools and can continue offering our customers innovative solutions.
The company has grown into three separate divisions. Our Studio Division now includes photography, video, retouching, and design. Our Print Division offers 2D and 3D printing (in both small and grand formats), finishing, and installation. Plus, our Exhibits Division provides trade show exhibit and event services.
How did you first discover and get involved with the Conway Center?
We were introduced to the Conway Center through the Family Business Awards Program held every November. We had been attending the awards at Conway every year for a few years, and after I’d been up on stage to collect our 20th-anniversary Milestone Awards, Dick Emens approached us and said, “You know, you’ve been coming to my lunch for five years. When are you going to join?”. So, I asked some trusted Family Business friends what they knew about the organization and heard nothing but good things! I realized it was time to join. We have been members of the Conway Center since 2014.
Over the past 10 years of membership, how has Conway Center been an asset to you and your company?
With everything Conway does and some great speakers you’ve had over the years, we’ve really enjoyed being members. The Awards is a big event. I also think the webinars that you’ve done were excellent. Plus, I’ve done the golf outing a few times! I personally want to get more involved with Conway, especially because it’s time to start thinking about succession planning. There is definitely tremendous value to being a member of Conway Center! You get what you put in, and there’s something everyone could get out of it if they want to.
Thank you to Jeff Burt with Eclipse Creative for participating in this valuable and informative interview.
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