We were lucky to catch up with Kim Duncan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim , thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected challenges we faced came just as our dream was coming to life. My significant other of 16 years, Bretton, and I had always wanted to own a small business together. With his fine art background—having studied fine art and art history—we envisioned creating a space where we could bring artistry and craftsmanship into people’s homes through fine art printing and custom framing. We spent 1.5 years meticulously planning, saving, securing a retail space, investing in top-tier equipment, and building out our studio store. Finally, in December 2019, our doors opened, marking the beginning of what we hoped would be a thriving business. Then, just 2.5 months later, everything changed.

In early March 2020, NYC was ordered into lock-down. The police came into our store and told us we had to close immediately—along with every other non-essential business. We had been open for only two months when we were forced to shut down for three full months. When we finally reopened in mid-June 2020, we faced an entirely different city.

The subways were empty. The sidewalks were empty. The streets were empty.

We had carefully designed our window displays to attract new customers, but no one was passing by. Many NYC residents had left, and those who remained weren’t venturing out as they once had.

To make matters worse, as a brand-new business, we did not qualify for the financial aid that many established businesses received. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the NY Forward Loan, and other relief efforts required prior year sales history—something we simply didn’t have. Despite the 1.5 years of investment and preparation we had put into opening our business, we were left to navigate the crisis on our own. A pandemic was the last thing we ever could have predicted.

Then came the scaffolding. Just when we thought we could start rebuilding, another unexpected challenge hit us—scaffolding went up in front of our storefront, hiding us from view for the next 2.5 years. At a time when visibility was critical to our survival, we were practically invisible to passersby. The scaffolding blocked our signage, darkened our storefront, and made it even harder for people to find us. Foot traffic was already down dramatically, and now, our storefront, a key part of our marketing, was hidden just when we needed to be seen the most.

It was demoralizing, frustrating, and financially devastating. But once again, we had to adapt. We pushed through despite these obstacles; we refused to give up. Our early customers became our biggest champions, recommending us to friends and family. We pivoted our focus to fine art printing and custom framing—services that clients would actively seek out, rather than relying on walk-ins. We leaned into word-of-mouth, online marketing, and networking to bring in business.

The biggest lesson for us was you can plan for every imaginable challenge, but there will always be unexpected obstacles. The key is resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to your vision. We fought hard, and continue to fight, to ensure that our business not only survives but thrives in this new reality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At the heart of our business is a deep love for art, photography, and craftsmanship.

Bretton has over 30 years of experience in fine art and photography, having studied fine art and art history and worked extensively in the industry. I bring a corporate background in marketing and client services, making us a perfect blend of artistry and business expertise. Together, we’ve created a business that not only offers exceptional fine art printing and custom framing but also delivers an elevated client experience rooted in personal attention, quality, and passion.

We are a full-service fine art printing, custom framing, and digitizing studio, offering a wide range of services, including:

– Fine Art Printing: High-quality prints on archival papers, canvas, and specialty mediums.
– Custom Framing: Handcrafted frames tailored to showcase and protect artwork, photography, and cherished pieces.
– Digitizing & Restoration: Preserving vintage photos, slides, artwork, and film through high-resolution scanning and expert digital restoration.
– Bespoke Photo Books & Graphic Work: Thoughtfully designed to preserve memories in a timeless way.
– Curated Ready-Made Frames & Quilling Cards: A hand-selected collection of elegant, artisanal frames and intricately handcrafted quilling cards.

What sets us apart is not just what we do, but how we do it. We take the time to truly listen to each client’s vision and guide them to the best solutions. Whether it’s an artist printing their latest work, a family preserving old photographs, or a collector framing a prized piece, we tailor our services to bring their ideas to life beautifully. We pour our heart and soul into every project, ensuring the highest level of detail, quality, and artistry in everything we produce. Our business is built on trust, expertise, and one-on-one service. Clients are never just another order, they are valued collaborators in the creative process. Being located directly across from the 96th Street 1, 2, 3 subway stop makes visiting us easy and accessible for clients throughout NYC.

We are incredibly proud of the reputation we’ve built for excellence, care, and artistry. Seeing the joy on a client’s face when they receive their finished piece is the ultimate reward. Whether it’s an artist entrusting us with their work, a family preserving cherished memories, or an interior designer collaborating with us to enhance a space, we are honored to play a role in bringing their visions to life.

At our core, we are not just a business, we are storytellers, memory keepers, and artisans.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Sixteen years ago, we met on the snow-covered mountains of Utah. Bretton was on the slopes, camera in hand, capturing high-speed action photography of skiers. I was on a ski trip, soaking in the breathtaking scenery while skiing myself. Somewhere between the chairlifts and the mountain peaks, our paths crossed and something just clicked.

We discovered a shared love for adventure, art, and storytelling, and despite living on opposite sides of the country, we kept in touch long-distance for two years. As our connection grew, so did our conversations about the future. We talked about our dreams, our creative passions, and the idea of building something together.

Eventually, we knew it was time and Bretton moved to NYC, the perfect place for his love of art and photography to flourish. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to own a business together. It wasn’t just a passing thought, it was a goal we carried with us, slowly working toward it as we grew together and saved for the right moment.

Years later, when the time was finally right, we put everything into creating our fine art printing and framing studio that blends Bretton’s expertise in art and photography with my background in marketing and client services. The journey that started on a ski slope has led us to where we are today, working side by side, bringing art to life for others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our reputation was built on one simple principle: we care deeply. From the very beginning, our reputation has been built on a relentless dedication to making sure every client walks away thrilled with their finished piece.

For us, it’s not just about printing, framing, or digitizing, it’s about bringing someone’s vision to life in the most beautiful way possible. Every print, every frame, every restoration is crafted with precision, care, and the highest standards of quality.

We bend over backwards to ensure that everything we create is exactly what our clients hoped for and more. We take the time to listen, understand their needs, and guide them to the best choices, whether it’s selecting the right paper for a fine art print, choosing a frame that perfectly complements their piece or preserving a cherished family photograph for future generations.

If a client has a unique request, we find a way to make it happen. Bretton is a problem-solver at heart, and no matter how challenging a project may seem, he will strive to find the perfect solution.

Clients trust us because every client receives one-on-one care, ensuring that their project is given the time and expertise it deserves. We have an uncompromising attention to detail. We don’t just aim for good results, we strive for exceptional, museum-quality craftsmanship every single time. For artists, when scanning artwork, we ensure that every brushstroke, texture, and detail is captured flawlessly, so the essence of the original piece comes through in the final print. We truly have a passion for making clients happy. Seeing a client’s face light up when they see their finished piece is what drives us. It’s why we do what we do.

Because we are so deeply invested in every project, our clients feel that dedication and they tell others. Most of our business comes from referrals and repeat clients who appreciate the level of care we put into everything we do. We are honored to have built a reputation as a studio that people can trust with their most meaningful art, memories, and creative projects.

At the end of the day, our reputation is not just about what we do, but how much we care.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goldenlightvisions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenlightvisions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526181596
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goldenlight-visions-llc
• Twitter: https://x.com/goldenlightvis