ARMACOST LIGHTING

Armacost Lighting is a 16-year-old women-owned business specializing in energy-efficient LED lighting, drivers, dimmers, controllers and accessories. Led by CEO Terry Armacost, the Baltimore-based company employs 16 people and is 67% women-owned. The firm reported $14 million in 2024 revenue and projects $12 million for 2025. Armacost Lighting initially rolled out in 300 stores nationwide and expanded to all 2,025 Home Depot stores by 2024. The company partners with major retailers, including ACE, Lowe’s, Amazon and Home Depot, to distribute its specialty LED strip light products.

What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?

Launching and running a woman-owned business in today’s world has been both a challenging and rewarding experience. From access to funding to navigating economic ups and downs, there have been many struggles bringing a unique product to market and turning it into a commodity, particularly as a female leader and entrepreneur.

What challenges have you faced as a women-owned business?

I’ve faced numerous challenges in launching a business and turning a specialty product, LED strip lights, into a genuine commodity, particularly in bringing the product to our first big box store, Home Depot. In 2011, I participated in a product line review with the leading home improvement retailer, which changed everything for our business. It led to our product initially rolling out in 300 stores nationwide. In 2024, Armacost Lighting sold products in all 2,025 Home Depot stores.

How do you support women in your business and community?

In a business certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBNC), nearly half of my team is female. I am committed to providing opportunities for women in the Baltimore community and in the industry as a whole, including in key positions at Armacost Lighting: director of marketing and director of product development. My goal is to empower women to make informed decisions and to pursue their aspirations with confidence while serving as leaders and mentors.

What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?

Our product became the first tape light product at Home Depot ever, and as a result, a new tape lighting category was established with the national retailer. Today, we partner with ACE, Lowe’s, Amazon and Home Depot and have expanded our product line to meet growing consumer demand over the past few years.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses in Maryland list for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.