This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Matt Cwiokowski. Recorded live on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Matt Cwiokowski

In 2010, Matt and two other colleagues founded the Chicagoland automation company, Avidia, with a goal to create a more focused, hands-on approach to home automation.

At inception, Matt managed Avidia’s programming and system design efforts. In 2018 Matt and Kamil bought their 3rd partner out and Matt assumed the role of CEO where his role involves leading the company forward through client-focused sales and marketing activities.

Today, Avidia is a team of 12 with a strong focus on residential projects. The company realized a strong 35% YOY growth for 2020 over 2019 and even beat their highest sales month in company history here in the first quarter of 2021.

Interview Recap

• What ultimately led Avidia to have a 35% YOY growth in 2020
• How a re-brand in 2018 and strategic marketing helped raise the company's brand awareness and overall visibility
• Avidia's pivot to an RMR-based approach for system service support
• Ways Matt has made it possible to enjoy a healthy work-life balance as a business owner with a growing company

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Jeff Galea. Recorded live on Wednesday, February 10th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Jeff Galea

Jeff’s work experience includes positions with General Motors and a Silicon Valley Startup prior to taking his passion for high-end electronics and launching Boca Theater and Automation, now Boca Teach and Automation, in 2003 out of South Florida.

Today, Jeff’s team focuses exclusively on integrating luxury A/V and control systems into homes, yachts, and businesses in some of the most prestigious spaces in the United States.

Boca Tech and Automation continue to rank among the CEPro Top 100 Integrators of the U.S., and two of their projects were even featured in HGTV’s Top Ten Luxury Home Theaters.

Interview Recap

• How a COVID inspired look behind-the-scenes for the design community turned into a successful weekly seminar series
• The importance behind educating consumers to improve sales and communication
• Jeff's showroom powered by Rosewater Energy and his take on battery storage technologies
• Jeff's business outlook for 2021 and why he will still be focusing on recurring revenue

This week's home automation podcast features our host Chris Smith interviewing Ron Callis. Recorded live on Wednesday, February 3rd at 12:30 p.m. EST. 

About Ron Callis

Ron got his start in the Custom Integration industry back in 2000, after graduating from VA Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and starting his career with Lutron Electronics. He also spent time at Crestron Electronics before he started Firefly Design Group in 2007.

In 2012 the company rebranded and became the company everyone knows today as One Firefly. One Firefly is an Inc. 5000 company and award-winning marketing agency serving residential and commercial technology professionals.

Interview Recap

• How Ron found his way into the custom integration industry
• Ron’s unique experience being part of a human-powered submarine team while a student at Virginia Tech
• The One Firefly company culture and how they were able to shift to a fully remote company in 2016
• Ways the structure and process of EOS helped One Firefly prepare for the challenges that came with COVID-19

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Jason Roberts. Recorded live on Wednesday, January 27th at 11:30 a.m. EST.

About Adam Pauska

As an insurance expert and risk manager, Adam partners with the ultra-affluent and their other advisors to build and maintain their personal insurance portfolios, human-to-human, while navigating the ever-changing insurance marketplace. 

Adam has landed coverage in print and broadcast outlets worldwide, including The Today Show, Wall Street Journal, Mashable, BBC, NPR, and CNN. His own articles have been featured in The Muse, Forbes, Inc., Mashable, DailyWorth, and Newsweek.

Interview Recap

• Risks faced by high net worth individuals
• The breakdown on insurance credits for smart home systems
• Innovative technologies that benefit both the integrator and homeowner
• Types of insurance products for ultra-high-net-worth customers

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Jason Roberts. Recorded live on Wednesday, January 20th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Jason Roberts

Prior to joining the residential custom integration space, Jason spent 20 years as a software executive in the higher-education vertical.

In 2012, Jason bought what would be soon known as Spectrum Technology Integrators out of South Florida and grew the home automation company from a $2 million operation to a $7 million operation over the course of six years.

Today, Jason works with 14 other like-minded business owners to facilitate the merger that created the largest nationwide luxury A/V firm, Bravas.

Interview Recap

• Jason's experience buying an integration firm in 2012
• The dynamics of developing a winning relationship with a custom builder
• The Bravas approach to manufacturer preferences throughout their different locations
• Jason's outlook for Bravas and our industry in 2021

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Andrea Hoffer. Recorded live on Wednesday, January 14th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Andrea Hoffer

With over 25 years of experience with hiring and leadership, Andrea’s core purpose is to give leaders their time and freedom back by helping them attract, engage, and retain team members who believe in and support their vision.

Andrea’s previous role as a spa owner with 35 employees provided her first-hand insight into the everyday challenges of motivating employees, exceeding customer expectations, and meeting business and revenue goals.

Today, Andrea helps companies recruit, hire, onboard, and engage their team members across many industries and verticals. Her clear cut action steps and supportive coaching has helped businesses build their Dream Team with great results.

Interview Recap

• Common mistakes companies make during the hiring process
• Best hiring practices and techniques business owners can implement
• What to expect when working with a recruitment agency
• How companies can utilize assessments both during recruiting and for ongoing team development