Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Shirkman.
Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working in the AV industry with a sales job at HH Gregg Electronics when I was 17yrs old. When the company began their installation services, I switched to a combination of sales and installations… so basically I would see the equipment then go out and assist with the install. I attended Kent State University for 2 years while still working, then decided to move to South Carolina. Upon arriving and getting situated in SC, I began working with Blockbuster Video (assistant manager) and then on to Regal Cinema (assistant manager). After Regal I was offered a position with Best Buy in North Charleston, where I was an AV Installation Technician. My crew assisted with the grand opening of the stores in Summerville and West Ashley, training new installers for those stores. After roughly 6 years with Best Buy, I moved on to start Wired Installations in April 2012. Since inception, I have worked with several local AV companies to assist on projects through contracts or sub-contracts, while growing my own client base. As of today I have 3 full-time employees plus 3 additional subcontractor crews that I use regularly, and we have serviced over 6,000 clients with Audio/ Video installations! We’ve completed projects ranging from $100 to $200,000 and we’re continuing to look for innovative ways to continue growing the business and helping both residential and commercial clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing is ever as “smooth” as you’d hope, but thankfully I’ve been able to find great reliable technicians who enjoy the work we do and are great with customer service… I wish I could find more of them, but if anything is a struggle, it’s that good help is hard to find. I would love to say that it hasn’t been challenging, but I’d be lying if I said that there weren’t challenges related to our industry and being the “small fish in a big pond”. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome is managing expectations so that we do not over-promise and under-deliver. Since we are a small business we’re able to maintain great relationships with our clients and they help spread the word, so that helps with advertising and getting new business where I see much of our competitors struggling. I personally answer all phone calls and emails, so I’m very in touch with our clients and I do my best to exceed their expectations on every project!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Wired Installations provides top quality Audio/ Video equipment sales and installation services. We specialize in making our clients project dreams become a reality… basically we do the work that they know “can” be done, but aren’t able to do themselves.
I’m not sure that I’m “known” for anything specific, but I would like to be known for being reliable and being able to do the projects that others can’t or won’t.
We have completed projects for very large companies, such as Hyundai or Shimano, and we still continue to help with the average person just moving into a first home. I’m proud to say that we care for all of our clients the same, no matter the size/ scope of the project.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think that I’m more of a risk-taker now than I had been in the past, specifically relating to taking on large-scale projects. When I first started the business I was offered a contract to run wiring for a well-known kitchen cookware company building a facility in Charleston. The project scope was much too large for me to take on because at the time it was only myself and a friend helping in his available time. Rather than turning down the job we accepted it, but it ended up costing more than I anticipated because of hiring contractors to help get it completed. I considered that a valuable lesson and decided against taking on projects that I could either not afford to float, or could not complete myself with very little assistance. Now that I’ve got reliable employees and steady subcontractors, I’m not afraid to take on projects that are much larger than I ever would’ve considered previously. It really is true that a business is only as strong as its weakest employee. To clarify, I’m not saying that Fortune 500 companies are that same way, but for “small business” it’s definitely a true statement!
Pricing:
- TV Installation – $145 +
- Single Zone Audio – $225 + materials
- On-Site Consultation – FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wiredinstallations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wired_installations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wired-Installations-LLC/100093451960116/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/WiredInstallationsLLC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wiredinstallations8365
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wired-installations-summerville-2?osq=wired+installations&override_cta=Request+pricing+%26+availability
