Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Snogles.
Hi Tom, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Tom Snogles, founder of Twinkle Nights, and our story began back in 2018 as a creative way to keep my lawn care team busy during the slow winter months. I was running Sun Power Lawn Care, Gainesville’s all-electric lawn service, and once the holidays rolled around, things got quiet. So, I thought, why not offer holiday lighting installs? It started as a side hustle to help my crew stay working through the season, and it took off faster than I could’ve imagined. Now, Twinkle Nights has far surpassed Sun Power Lawn Care and become its own full-blown operation, specializing in custom Christmas displays, landscape lighting, wedding lighting, and tent rentals across North Florida.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to build a team that completely blows me away. From our designers to our installers to the behind-the-scenes logistics crew, every single person shows up with creativity, heart, and hustle. We’ve grown a lot since those early days, but we still treat each job like it’s the most important one we’ve ever done, because to that customer, it is. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but even more proud of the people beside me making it all happen. It’s a joy to watch them bring joy to others, whether they’re lighting up a giant oak tree or setting the mood for a wedding under the stars.
What I love most is how Twinkle Nights has become part of the fabric of the communities we serve. We’ve donated lighting to nonprofits like Peaceful Paths and Kirby Family Farm, helped transform the YMCA into a Winter Wonderland, decked out historic buildings on Jekyll Island, and even surprised a single mum and her kids with a full Christmas display during a tough time. We’ve lit up city parks, community theaters, and so many happy front yards. For me, it’s never just been about the lights, it’s about connection, about giving back, and about creating a little extra magic in the world. And honestly? I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every year has brought its own set of challenges, training new staff, taking on bigger and more complex jobs, and figuring out who we are as a team through it all. But honestly, we love the challenges. They make it exciting. We tackle them together, and there’s real joy in solving problems as a group. My team thrives on creativity, they love designing new things and bringing ideas to life. It’s not always smooth, but we’re always learning and improving. We embrace the struggle because it pushes us to grow, and we genuinely love what we do.
I’ve learned so much about hiring, staffing, marketing, sales, admin, and especially people. When I first started, I didn’t really understand what a business was. I thought it was about numbers, jobs, crews, schedules. But I’ve come to see that business is people. I’ve met some incredible individuals from all kinds of backgrounds who’ve helped shape me as both a leader and a person. Through BNI and local chambers in Gainesville and Jacksonville, I’ve connected with an amazing network, and it’s opened up so many doors. Helping others reach their goals and pushing them to be their best is one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do.
Delegation was one of the hardest lessons. In the beginning, I felt like I had to do everything. Not because I wanted to control the outcome, but because I didn’t want anyone else working harder than me. I’d feel guilty sitting in the AC while my team was sweating in the field. I’m still working on being okay with that balance. These days, I focus more on the parts of the business that will help all of us grow in the long run. But honestly, there’s still nothing like getting out in the field, getting my hands dirty, and playing in the dirt with the crew. That’s where the fun is.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’ve grown a ton over the past few years and now cover a big stretch of North Florida: Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ocala, The Villages, and just about everywhere in between. And if the project is big enough, we’ll gladly travel even farther. We love a challenge, so bring us your large-scale installs, custom displays, and unique ideas, we’re all in.
Our services include Christmas lighting, full displays and shows, permanent trim lighting, landscape lighting, and event rentals with tents, tables, and chairs. Weddings have been a great fit for us too. We’ve had amazing luck working with wedding planners who are absolute rockstars. Permanent trim lighting has also taken off. Clients love having the flexibility to change colors for holidays or parties year-round, plus the added bonus of improved home security and visibility at night. And when it comes to landscape lighting, we design it to highlight the best features of a property while making outdoor spaces more inviting and functional after dark.
The holiday season is totally wild for us. It’s fast-paced, intense, and honestly a little insane. But we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards and push each other to do our best. It’s funny how hard we are on ourselves in the moment, because when the season wraps up, our clients are thrilled and the feedback is always fantastic. We’re aiming to keep growing, while also tightening up and consolidating the areas we serve to stay efficient. We’re constantly attending trade shows and conferences to stay ahead of trends and bring our clients the best in lighting and rentals. We want to be the best at what we do, and I like to think our clients would agree… I hope!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness for me comes from working with great people and building strong teams. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about collaboration, bringing different life experiences together and learning from each other. That’s when the best ideas happen, and we avoid wasting time on things that don’t matter. I love connecting people, making introductions, and watching how those relationships grow. I really believe a rising tide lifts all ships. When we support the people around us, we all win.
Outside of work, I’m a sucker for the mountains. Hiking uphill to a great view, looking out over forests and wide open pastures. That’s my happy place. I’m lucky to have family near Denver and Charlottesville, so the Rockies and Blue Ridge Mountains (including the Appalachian Trail) are never too far when I visit. And speaking of family, they bring me so much joy. I’m hoping to start one of my own one day, but for now, I’ve got two of the cutest nephews in the world, and they light me up every time I see them.
Florida’s natural beauty makes me happy too. I love paddling through the springs in a kayak, exploring the waterways, or hopping on a bike or heading out for a run. Staying active keeps me grounded, and honestly, my best ideas come when I’m in motion, out on a trail or gliding over the water. I’m happiest when I’m growing, building, and pushing myself. Life’s all about discovering what’s possible. Got a challenge? I’m in. Let’s go!
Pricing:
- We offer a highly personalized service when it comes to lighting, and that’s something that really sets us apart. Whether it’s a home, business, or event venue, we can create a custom plan tailored specifically to the space and vision. Our team is great at working with clients to bring ideas to life, and no two projects are ever the same.Because of that custom approach, pricing can vary quite a bit depending on the scope of the project, materials, labor, and the time of year. We have set pricing structures for different types of work: Christmas lighting, permanent trim lighting, landscape lighting, and event rentals. Those prices shift slightly each season based on material and labor costs. I know “it depends” isn’t everyone’s favorite answer, but we always make sure to walk people through exactly what they can get within their budget, and we’re completely transparent about what to expect.
We do have minimum pricing for each service and location, and we’re happy to share those if someone reaches out. Just give us a call or fill out our quick contact form Our office team is always ready to help. At the end of the day, our goal is to build trust, offer beautiful work, and create something you’re truly excited about. We’ll always do our best to work with you and make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Main contact: (844) 820‑4613 — call or text, available Monday–Saturday, 7 AM–7 PM, with after‑hours answering service
Office email: admin@twinklenights.com or tom@twinklenights.com
Twinkle Nights serves clients across North Florida, including but not limited to:
Gainesville, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Lady Lake, Ocala, St. Augustine, The Villages, Vilano Beach, Wildwood and surrounding areas - Website: https://x.com/TNHolidayLights
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twinklenightslights/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twinklenightslights
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twinklenights/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTl4-XxW-iPzxhhtSVK6gnw
