How Kings of Neon Lit Up the World
He Just Wanted to Sell a Few Glowy Things… Now Look at Him
Stephen Pastor wasn’t trying to become the neon king of the planet. He just wanted to sell a few glowy things online to keep the lights on, literally and financially.
One minute he was a DJ, hyping up sweaty dance floors. The next, the world shut down and he was stuck at home with zero events, zero gigs, and zero idea what to do next. Most people were baking banana bread or learning TikTok dances. Stephen? He started building a neon empire.
There was no money, no team, and no clear plan. But he had something that always beats perfect timing. He had guts.
Now his brand, Kings of Neon, has lit up over 50,000 walls across the globe. From YouTube’s headquarters to backyard weddings, his custom signs are everywhere. And his business? Worth $25 million and counting.
So how does a broke DJ turn a lockdown side hustle into a global brand? Grab a snack, because this story is about to light a fire under you.
Big Dreams in a Small Garage
It all started in a regular house, on a regular day, during a very irregular time. With live events gone, Stephen had to get creative. He remembered how much people loved the neon signs at his shows. That spark was all he needed.
He opened a Shopify store. It wasn’t fancy. It didn’t have all the bells and whistles. But it was real. And it was his.
Most people would have waited for things to go back to normal. Stephen decided normal was overrated.
Fast Replies, Happy People
If there’s one thing customers love more than glowing signs, it’s being treated like VIPs. Stephen made sure every message got a response within minutes. Every order felt personal. Every mistake got fixed with a smile.
While other shops were playing the “We’ll get back to you in 48 hours” game, Kings of Neon was already shipping out new signs and winning loyal fans.
It wasn’t magic. It was just effort. The kind most people don’t bother with.
What You Can Do Differently (and Smarter)
Stephen did it the hard way. He manually followed up with every customer, responded to messages late at night, and handled every upsell with a one-by-one approach. That level of hustle paid off. But it nearly burned him out.
Today, there’s a smarter way.
If you’re running your own Shopify store, you don’t need to build everything by hand like Stephen did. You can automate your growth and still keep things personal using tools like Salesloop.
Salesloop helps brands create powerful pre-purchase and post-purchase flows. That means you can recommend the right products before checkout, show smart upsell offers, and send thank-you messages that feel heartfelt, without writing each one yourself.
Want to turn your first-time buyer into a repeat customer? That’s exactly where Salesloop shines.
Stephen did it all manually. You don’t have to.
No Money, No Excuses
You know that voice that tells you to wait until you’ve saved up enough? Stephen didn’t listen to it.
He started with nothing. Not a dime. Just an idea and a laptop.
Every sign he sold helped fund the next. Every profit was reinvested. No loans. No investors. Just momentum.
Waiting would have killed the dream. Starting made it real.
Why the Signs Went Viral
Kings of Neon wasn’t just selling lights. They were selling vibes. People wanted that cozy glow in their homes, their businesses, their weddings, and on their Instagram pages.
Instead of waiting for customers to talk about the product, Stephen encouraged it. He invited buyers to share their photos and stories. Then he proudly reposted them across social media. With each new share, more people discovered the brand.
What started as simple user content quickly turned into a marketing machine. Customers became fans. Fans became promoters. Word spread without paid ads.
It helped that the signs looked stunning. But even more powerful was the way everything felt. Real. Honest. Friendly.
That feeling is what made the brand go viral.
From Side Hustle to NFL Orders
One day you’re packing orders in your living room. The next, you’re shipping custom neon signs to Amazon and the NFL.
That happened because Kings of Neon never stopped showing up. The team kept delivering great products. They stayed consistent. They never lost their voice or vibe.
Big brands noticed. Not because Stephen begged for attention, but because his brand had energy. And people are drawn to energy.
Lessons You Can Steal (Legally)
Here’s what you can borrow from Stephen’s playbook:
- Start with what you have
- Be faster than your competition
- Treat every customer like your first
- Use smart tools like Salesloop to automate the boring stuff
- Show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just roll it with passion.
It’s Not Always Glamorous, and That’s OK
Let’s not pretend it was always fun. There were days Stephen wanted to scream. Packages got lost. Suppliers messed up. Customers got cranky.
But he pushed through. He didn’t let one bad day cancel the mission.
Every business has rough patches. What matters is that you keep walking through them.
You Don’t Need Genius, Just Guts
Stephen didn’t invent neon signs. He just made them better, more fun, and easier to get.
You don’t need a groundbreaking idea. All you need is action. A heart. And the courage to hit “publish” even when your site still looks a little janky.
Most people stay stuck in “planning” forever. Be the one who actually starts.
Time to Glow Up
Kings of Neon proves that big things can come from small beginnings. That a broke DJ with no capital can build a multimillion-dollar brand if he’s bold enough to try.
It also proves that the right tools like Salesloop, can turn your online store into a powerhouse, one personalized offer at a time.
So what are you waiting for?
Your dream doesn’t need permission. It needs a little courage, a good Shopify store, and some neon-level energy.
Light it up.
FAQs
1. What is Kings of Neon?
Kings of Neon is a custom neon sign business founded by Stephen Pastor. It grew from a lockdown side hustle into a $25 million global brand.
2. How did Kings of Neon become successful?
Stephen Pastor focused on customer service, fast response times, and high-quality custom signs. Word of mouth, social media, and consistency helped the brand grow.
3. Did Stephen Pastor use any tools to grow his Shopify store?
Stephen built everything manually. But today, Shopify store owners can grow faster using tools like Salesloop for automated pre-purchase and post-purchase experiences.
4. Can I start a business like Kings of Neon without startup capital?
Yes. Stephen started with no money. He reinvested profits, stayed consistent, and built his brand one sale at a time.
5. How can Salesloop help Shopify store grow?
Salesloop helps you automate product suggestions, upsells, and thank-you messages. It keeps customers engaged and boosts repeat sales with less effort.
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