Today we’d like to introduce you to Fady Hermez.
Fady, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Audio and Video has been part of my career path in some way or another since I started working. My very first job was in 1995 at a movie theater in Monterey, CA where I learned how to splice reels of film together, run and maintain movie projectors, and configure audio settings to ensure a proper Dolby experience. That’s all automated now and movies are usually downloaded. I didn’t know it back then, but Audio/Video would play a huge roll in my professional life.
I would later intern and work at 102.5 KDON, 90.3 KAZU and a small AM station that would only play Jazz and carry the Niner games on Sundays. In the radio world, I learned how to run soundboards for live radio, radio scheduling, recording and how to set up speakers and amps. I was also DJing throughout these times.
In college, I studied Media Communications and Recording Arts while working part time at a bank. Through the bank, an older gentleman from a local Indian reservation encouraged me to look into working for their casino which was just about to expand from a small tent into a larger multi-million dollar facility. He asked me what I wanted to do for a career after school, in which at the time I had no idea. One day he walked into the bank with an application and waited for me to fill it out, which I did without even knowing what position I was going for. When I showed up to the casino for my interview with HR, he was waiting for me along with the Manager of the Audio/Video Department. That’s when it all clicked. I was meant to be in the AV world.
That’s where I was offered a real-world, hands-on, commercial Audio Video installation, integration, and presentation services. I could not think of another environment where a person can experience all facets of the Audio Video world at once. We installed hundreds of TV’s, hundreds of speakers, pulled miles of wire, set up tons of truss and lighting, tore down and reset mics, speakers, and projectors several times a day, even learned to operate boom and scissor lifts. After a 15 year career for this amazing Tribe, it was time for me to venture out into the commercial world.
I was able to get my contractors license a year before resigning so I was semi-prepared, but no one can be prepared for this. Overnight I went from full benefits, 401K that was matched, a really good paycheck every two weeks that just showed up in my account, 40 hours a week 8 hours a day, holiday gifts and bonuses, paid time off and $3 buffet lunches; to no insurance for my family and I, no savings, no auto-pay, chasing clients down for unpaid balances, 12-hour workdays are normal, having to pay thousands of dollars a year to work, shaky holidays, can’t take a day off, and eating whatever garbage is available near the job site. Fast forward three years later and I would not have it any other way.
Now, I am a real commercial Audio/Video integrator as a Licensed low Voltage Contractor. I’ve since added other components to my services such as CCTV and Networking to be able to offer a complete Audio and Video solution to my clients. I have never advertised, all my business comes word of mouth and I feel these are the best types of clients to have. The business has grown organically and somehow, I have stayed busy and making ends meet. None of it was or is easy. Every day is a battle. I have been offered to work for large companies with a superior position and a comfortable salary, and it is very tempting to run back to a full time job. One day I hope to look back at this and realize how all the hard work paid off. In the meantime, I’m still in the hard work part.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. In my first two months of being on my own, I was taken advantage of by a client who filed for a refund with their credit card company for $8000. I was not able to speak to anyone from the credit card company about it and no one could tell me anything. That was my first and last time accepting credit cards and the last time I was ripped off. A lawyer advised me to take it as a learning lesson, and that’s exactly what I did.
Keeping employees employed and happy was another challenge I was not ready for. I have had success keeping techs working. However, I find that I am rushing to collect money from the clients to pay my technicians. When I started, no money to begin with and nothing saved. I did not qualify for any loans, and it was even difficult to get a business checking account. My business has no debt and I have never borrowed a penny.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My Corporation’s name is Overstand Technologies, Inc. and I do business as AV King. To Overstand is to comprehend a thing itself AND to have knowledge of why it is the way it is and of its place or role in the grand scheme of things. The name AV King came from a close friend of mine who was starting his tile company at the same time which he called Grout King. It fit well and I ran with it. A co-worker made me the AV King logo almost 20 years ago for $50 and it has been exactly the same ever since. It is a timeless logo and I will never change it.
I specialize in commercial and residential Audio, Video, CCTV and Network installations. Having so much experience with real world applications, I have learned what to expect and what could potentially go wrong. As an integrator, I cannot afford call backs or taking the time to troubleshoot while working on a project. That’s why I insist on doing the job in a specific way with quality materials. I understand the importance of having good support and how that benefits my clients.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was into music and sports. Mostly music, but the Lakers were life! I can’t play an instrument if my life depended on it, but I can run a set of turntables and a mixer. I have a massive record collection. Reggae and Hip Hop music was life! Till this day Rastafari and the teaches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, I stand firm and true in my home. You don’t have to be a dread to be a Rasta. It is a divine conception of the heart.
Pricing:
- Hourly service rate to troubleshoot – $75 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.avking.tech
- Phone: 6199226751
- Email: fady@avking.tech
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/av-king-el-cajon-2
Image Credit:
Pictures by www.lensaccess.com @lensaccess
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