Jeanine Lantini embodies the classic American immigrant story.
A native of France whose accent gives away her Marseilles upbringing, she came to Rhode Island as a teenager, without her parents and only $50 in her pocket. Her teenage years were spent toiling away at multiple factory jobs, and later, in her early married life, working long hours in real estate, then as owner of a Providence hair salon.
Yet from these challenges, Lantini found success – outshining her American counterparts with her productivity in the factory, and later running such a profitable hair salon business that her husband, Kenneth Lantini, sought her help in growing his own career.
“He got jealous that I was doing good,” Lantini joked.
Her ability to turn very little into much more was key to the longevity of the family business, J. & K. Electrical Supply Co. When she and her husband bought the business in 1973, it was little more than an empty building.
Now, you can’t miss the expansive 30,000-square-foot showroom with a lit-up sign beckoning to passers-by from Route 6A in Johnston. Inside, the more than 4,000 light fixtures, surrounded by artfully arranged furniture and kitschy home decor, offer something to suit every taste.
Lantini, whose tastes lean toward the “elaborate,” named the dazzling array of $8,000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers as her favorite. But there are also simpler, and cheaper, options: hundreds of simple skews of bathroom lights, patio lanterns and the trendy “modern farmhouse” wooden-flanked lighting. Hundreds of ceiling fans spin above, while glass cases of Lladro porcelain figurines lend an old-world European flair that pays homage to the couple’s Italian and Greek roots.
Kenny Iafrate, Lantini’s grandson who is preparing to take over the family business, is the mastermind behind the displays, spending many a late night updating the rooms with new products or designs.
Like his grandmother, Iafrate’s experience in the industry comes from learning on the job. His parents – Lantini’s daughter and son-in-law – are also among the 15 employees, at least of whom are family. A glitter-accented poster with pasted-on photographs hangs in the back highlighting the family and the business, which to Jeanine Lantini are one and the same.
What she and her husband – the de facto owner although Lantini runs the show – lacked in industry experience, they made up for with determination and strategic crowdsourcing.
“You want to learn, you have to ask the customers, ask the designers what they like,” Lantini said.
The company originally featured electrical work, but it was phased out over time in favor of an emphasis on lighting and home design.
Much of the business stems from people buying or redecorating their homes, which has taken off during the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the real estate boom. They also work with contractors and professional interior designers.
While the virus did not diminish demand for their business, it knotted the supply chains. And despite high unemployment, adding employees to fill the growing need for service has been difficult.
OWNER: Kenneth Lantini
LOCATION: 1253 Hartford Ave., Johnston
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Lighting, design and home decor
EMPLOYEES: 15
YEAR FOUNDED: 1973
ANNUAL SALES: WND
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
