Get To Know Juniper Owner and Founder, Shant Madjarian

Shant is a dedicated man with innovative ideas, just like the Ground Control Collection that has endless technological possibilities. He usually arrives at the office early before anyone else and has been known to spend a Saturday in our lighting design studio. Between discussing new products and big ideas with product development and marketing teams, Shant jumps between the office and production to make sure everything runs smoothly.

WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

I’m from Montréal, Québec. Besides it being my home, Montreal is also where my parents are running a lighting manufacturing business of their own for the last 35 years.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START JUNIPER? AND WHY NEW YORK?

I have a passion for creating new and better ways of doing things, sometimes even mundane things. I also have a love for design, and I believed I could make a positive impact in the field. I set up a shop in New York simply because this was and is my home. I have been a New Yorker since 2000, when I moved here to begin my career in Finance. Ultimately, I saw the potential in New York as it is the center of design, being surrounded by new ideas and technology.

HOW DID YOU TRANSITION FROM FINANCE TO LIGHTING?

I actually didn’t foresee the lighting industry in my future, but I learned a lot about the business growing up. At first, I chose Finance as my career. I worked as a Financial Analyst & Investment Banker for 13 years before I impulsively launched a business in design.

satin brass juniper ground control dimmer

Ground Control Double USB Port and Ground Control Dimmer Knob in Satin Brass

WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

I’m from Montréal, Québec. Besides it being my home, Montreal is also where my parents are running a lighting manufacturing business of their own for the last 35 years.