Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Bert Herrero and Joel Hernandez Creating a balance as a family owned business Bert’s passion for re-investing in his community, including his partnerships with ministries around South Florida How COVID-19 has impacted First Priority Audio Their innovative use of social media marketing to drive company growth To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au145 SHOW NOTES Bert and ...
Nov 25, 2020•58 min•Ep. 145
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #144 featuring Patrick Hartman, General Manager at Diversified Systems International. Patrick shared a big idea he picked up while attending a CEDIA Business Exchange event which was ins...
Nov 20, 2020•13 min•Ep. 144
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Patrick Hartman: Patrick’s experience as a CEDIA volunteer Recap of the Virtual CEDIA 2020 educational offering What industry events might look like in 2021 Patrick’s focus on work/life balance and his participation in Spartan Races. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au144 SHOW NOTES Patrick is the General Manager of DSI, a Reno-based integration firm ten years ago, a...
Nov 20, 2020•52 min•Ep. 144
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Goldstein: How Jeff’s passion for audio landed him at Sony What managing the radio business for Sony looked like in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s Jeff’s approach to building relationships with the CI channel Jeff’s experience since returning to Sony in the midst of a pandemic To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au143 SHOW NOTES Jeff Goldstein has decades of experien...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 143
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tina Baker: The importance of company culture Best practices around hiring the right people How the hiring process has changed at One Firefly since Tina joined the team Tools One Firefly has implemented to improve their company culture as a fully remote team. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au142 SHOW NOTES Tina joined One Firefly in the beginning of 2020 with a pro...
Nov 06, 2020•43 min•Ep. 142
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #141 featuring Harshul Parikh, CEO & Founder at Trescent Lifestyles. Harshul shared advice on how he approaches selling to high-networth clients including Bollywood movie stars and b...
Oct 26, 2020•14 min•Ep. 141
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Harsul Parikh: Harshul’s role in bringing a CEDIA chapter to India How the custom integration space has been impacted due to COVID Harshul’s thoughts on the potential boom that will come from the increased interest in smart home automation An exciting AI software Harshul and his team are working on to make projects more seamless for Integrators and the design-build community To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in...
Oct 26, 2020•56 min•Ep. 141
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #140 featuring Jesse Silva, Owner at The PAVE. Jesse shared with us how he was able to score a unique project in the luxury mobile home space with the builder, Cavco, thanks to social me...
Oct 22, 2020•13 min•Ep. 140
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jesse Silva: The impacts of COVID-19 on Jesse’s business The PAVE doubling their growth since 2019 Innovative ways Jesse has expanded their reach and customer acquisition through social media Manufacturers that embody “exceptional support” and how it has helped Jesse and his team grow To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au140 SHOW NOTES Jesse founded The ProView Audio V...
Oct 21, 2020•45 min•Ep. 140
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Every week, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #139 featuring Michael Cogbill, Principal at REV2 Consulting. Here on the after show, Michael shares with us his top takeaways on how to approach the pre-drywall walk through phase with clients to ga...
Oct 13, 2020•14 min•Ep. 139
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Michael Cogbill: The early days of custom integration in the 80’s and early 90’s His experience working on a project for Bill Gates’ Seattle home CEDIA initiatives Michael is most excited about Michael’s predictions for the future of our industry To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au139 SHOW NOTES Michael is currently Principal at REV2 Consulting, on the CEDIA Board of...
Oct 13, 2020•58 min•Ep. 139
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Murray Kunis: * Murray’s thoughts on the first 2020 Presidential Debate * Murray’s experience with installing America’s first home THX system * His recommendations for business just getting started in the custom integration industry. * Murray’s thoughts on the current state of our industry and what 2021 might have in store To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au138 SHOW ...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 138
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Today, we're taking some time after the live show to talk with Matt Fowler, Co-Owner and Director of Operations of HomeTroniX. Before joining HomeTroniX, Matt spent some of his career in the wine industry. In this aftershow chat, Matt shares with us his experience working with Total Wine and even gives us some of his favorite wine recommendations. If you haven't already listened to the full interview, make sure to check out show #137 here on the po...
Sep 30, 2020•11 min•Ep. 137
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Matt Fowler: How Matt’s time in the Marine Corps impacted his role as a leader How to grow and scale an integration firm HomeTroniX’s growth during COVID Matt’s approach to marketing and creating a strong digital presence To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au137 SHOW NOTES Matt Fowler is Co-Owner and Director of Operations with HomeTroniX of Arkansas LLC. In 2019, with...
Sep 21, 2020•50 min•Ep. 137
Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Today, we're taking some time after the live show to talk with Josh Willits, President at Portal. While many of you may know Josh for his career in the custom integration channel, he also has a passion for coffee that has led him to join the coffee roasting business. In this after show chat, Josh shares with us his passion for coffee and how he came to know of The Lonely Monk Coffee Roasting business. If you haven't already listened to the full int...
Sep 16, 2020•17 min•Ep. 136
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Josh Willits: Josh experiences in the CI industry that ultimately led to his role as President of Portal. Portal’s turnaround strategy deployed in May 2019 that saved the company Proposal trends during that last 6 months including the amazing growth since June Josh’s thoughts on the rest of 2020 and the future of our industry To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au136 SH...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 136
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Brewer: Leadership strategies Jeff learned while working for the late Steven Covey where he was Master Certified The James Loudspeaker acquisition and their approach to their rep network Ways Jeff and his team are leveraging virtual trainings and meetings to strengthen relationships Exclusive announcement regarding the new Sonance Invisible Speaker Series To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and ...
Sep 11, 2020•50 min•Ep. 135
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Taylor Whipple: His rewarding time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa - he even spoke to us in Wolof! Taylor’s start in the music industry where he spent some time working for Madonna’s music label before he decided to go back to school to pursue his MBA in Finance. How an analytical approach to brainstorming ideas has helped further empower One Firefly’s growth One Firefly receiving a placement on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list...
Sep 09, 2020•57 min•Ep. 134
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeremy Elsesser: Jeremy’s 16 year career track at Level 3 Audiovisual, leading to his achieving the position of President of the company in 2017 The importance of company culture and hiring for passion The transition from Commercial Integrator over to Managed Services The acceleration of software and cloud based communication platform solutions for the new global focus on work from home environments To get transcripts, resources...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 133
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Paul Lopez: What experiences led Paul to opening his own integration firm. What it’s like being a Dolphins fan living in Dallas Paul’s transition from a majority commercial focus pre-covid to a majority residential focus post covid. Why Integrated Lifestyles chose to join the ProSource buying group To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au132 SHOW NOTES Paul started pullin...
Aug 13, 2020•43 min•Ep. 132
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ryan Anderson: Ryan’s past experience as a racecar driver with Ferrari The Bravas acquisition strategy to purchase 50 integration firms over the next 5 years. Defining the “Why” for both Bravas and the CI Industry. Ryan’s thoughts about this new-era of event cancellations and more focused department training events To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au131 SHOW NOTES Ry...
Aug 05, 2020•58 min•Ep. 131
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Shaun Schuetz: Shaun’s background and how he got into the consumer electronics industry Cultural differences Shaun encountered during his four years in Asia Shaun’s love for Star Wars and how he was able to do charity work with the Star Wars Costuming Community, 501st Legion while in Taiwan and now throughout the US. Shaun’s thoughts on CEDIA 2020 going virtual To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and...
Jul 31, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 130
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ken Vanemon: Status of the audio video marketplace in New York City. Ken’s strategies to stay sane while taking care of clients during these strange times Ken’s thoughts on whether sales people are born or made How Crestron Home is helping dealers create a more customizable smart home system To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au129 SHOW NOTES Ken is currently Sr Region...
Jul 30, 2020•55 min•Ep. 129
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Rusty Deeble: The positive impact that the ProSource Dream Theater Makeover Contest has had on Digital Installers Ways Rusty gives back to his clients and community by offering their showroom as an event space Rusty’s recent experiences with homeowners ready to invest into their property such as outdoor spaces and home offices Rusty’s love of MMA and Wrestling To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and ...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 128
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Wim De Vos: Changes throughout Europe that Wim, his business, and clients have experienced since April Whether America’s political and economic climate will affect the European market Wim’s approach to digital transformation as his business re-opens and why he has decided to re-think his business as if it were a start-up Inspiring books Wim has been reading in light of COVID and the resurgence of the Civil Rights Movement in the...
Jul 10, 2020•49 min•Ep. 127
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Maryellen Oswald: How Maryellen got her start in Consumer Electronics with Widescreen Magazine The potential permanent move to virtual meetings, demonstrations and trade events Insider look at the benefits of being featured in a publication such as Connected Design Magazine Maryellen’s thoughts on the current state and future of our industry Catch us LIVE on Facebook each week and stay updated by RSVPing to get notified about ou...
Jul 02, 2020•44 min•Ep. 126
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Kyle Steele: How the Global Wave Integration wellness showroom has transformed due to COVID What the last 90 days have looked like for Global Wave Integration as a California-based business with job sites located around the US. Kyle’s thoughts on the industry’s role on approaching conversations around race Kyle’s strategies around building strong teams using personality types as a rubric for team composition. Catch us LIVE on Fa...
Jun 23, 2020•55 min•Ep. 125
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Steve Haas: Steve’s origin story and his transition into the high-end residential space Steve’s approach to educating end-users and integrators about home audio Changes Steve and his team are making in light of COVID, such as offering webinars revolving residential acoustics The importance of having conversations around race and Steve’s plans to bring in more diversity into our industry Catch us LIVE on Facebook each week and st...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 124
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Alex Camara: Alex’s backstory in technology startups before acquiring Audio Control Alex's thoughts on approaching conversations within the workplace revolving race and creating a safe space for all employees Audio Control’s “restart” message means in light of COVD-19 How demand for “home entertainment” has increased and what he is seeing in demand for audio control solutions throughout the country. Catch us LIVE on Facebook eac...
Jun 11, 2020•54 min•Ep. 123
Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ariel Gutierrez: The origin story behind Polaris Controls Ariel's reaction to the Savant acquisition of GE Lighting The impact COVID-19 has had on the Latin American economy and currencies The webinar and podcast strategy launched by Polaris Controls to better help their dealers Catch us LIVE on Facebook each week and stay updated by RSVPing to get notified about our next live event here: https://www.facebook.com/OneFireflyLLC/ ...
Jun 08, 2020•54 min•Ep. 122
