David Rosenbaum, a senior at the University of North Texas, has always enjoyed fireworks. When he was young he would shoot them off with his dad to celebrate the Fourth of July; now fireworks have made him a successful and globally recognized entrepreneur.
When Rosenbaum, a resident of Lewisville, was 16 he got a job working at a fireworks stand. It was while he was working at the stand that he found out about an organization called the Pyrotechnic Artists of Texas. Rosenbaum and his father got involved with the organization and started getting hired by large fireworks companies to do pyrotechnic productions.
In 2006 Rosenbaum and his father decided to go out on their own. Rosenbaum started North Texas Pyrotechnic Productions, based out of Lewisville, to offer a less expensive alternative to the large fireworks companies. Rosenbaum says that his events include weddings, sporting events, corporate parties and private parties. He's even done a fashion show and a cricket tournament. He says that most of his shows cost from $2,000 to $4,000.
Rosenbaum serves as the president of the company, while his father, Steve Rosenbaum, works part-time as the company's vice president. His father also owns and operates Steve's Leaves, Inc., a nursery in Lewisville. Even Rosenbaum's mother, a teacher in the Carrollton-Farmer's Branch Independent School District, has gotten in on the action.
"My mom doesn't really worry about the danger of my dad and me working with explosives because she knows the precautions that we take," said Rosenbaum. "In fact, my mom got her pyrotechnic license about a year ago, so that she could help us out when we have big shows or when we get in a crunch with a lot of shows in one night."
Last year, Rosenbaum won the New Venture Creation Contest hosted by UNT's Murphy Enterprise Center. Rosenbaum put the $25,000 prize money into promoting his company and buying new equipment. This fall Rosenbaum competed in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Rosenbaum won the regional competition and earned a trip to Chicago for the global contest. In Chicago, Rosenbaum advanced to the final round and placed seventh in the overall competition.
Rosenbaum plans to graduate with a degree in Applied Arts and Sciences in May. He is now taking all of his classes online, so that he can dedicate more time to his growing his business. He says that during the summer North Texas Pyrotechnic Productions does between two and four fireworks shows a week. He says that it slows down during the winter months, but that he is still staying busy.
He already has shows planned for several Christmas tree lightings including the tree lighting at North Richland Hills' "Night of Holiday Magic," which will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 (Saturday) at NRH2O Family Water Park. He also is working on scheduling some shows for New Years Eve.
"We want to prove that fireworks aren't just for the Fourth of July," said Rosenbaum. "We want to show people that fireworks can be an impressive addition to any event."
For more information, visit North Texas Pyrotechnic Productions. Rosenbaum can be reached at 214-674-1465 or Info@NorthTexasPyro.com.
- UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
- Contact: Alyssa Aber (940) 565-3510
- Email: Alyssa.aber@unt.edu
