Readers’ Advocate

How the catalog was started: In the 1980s, Leveen and his wife, Lori (an equal partner and founder in the company), realized there was not enough light for both of them to read in their small Boston condominium. Soon, their wheels began to turn, and they placed a 1˝ ad in The New Yorker in October 1987. The ad read: “Serious Lighting for Serious Readers.” Thus, Levenger’s first successful product was a reading light to be used in bed.