North Andover, MA – April 23, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, April 23rd at 4:00pm Eastern Tim
Learn that in every selling situation, someone is leading, and someone is following. When the buyer leads, we give away too much information and get next to nothing in return. When the seller leads, we learn what the buyer really needs, and why, and then sell them the correct solution. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to know who’s in control, and comfortably and seamlessly become the leader to achieve more of the results you want.
Learn important marketing techniques to use while your business is closed or your customer traffic is reduced.
Learn how to stay connected to your customers and your community during this time of crisis.
This is meeting is designed for store owner, managers and sales professionals.
Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speaker as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis
We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.
Register by [Clicking Here]
Tagged under
Join a Celebration of Life for Jay Kent Thursday, April 16th at 9:00pm Eastern Time Moderated by Mark Miller, Owner - Westminster Speed & Sound.
Register by [Clicking Here]
Tips to set you up for a good call:
- Be in an area with little or no background noise.
- Please use a good-quality camera if available.
- Clear any items in the background to reduce distractions.
- Position yourself to be in the center of the camera frame and refrain from distractions.
- Have a light on to the front of you to light your face.
- Use a high-quality microphone and position yourself close to it. And speak up and enunciate when speaking.
IMPORTANT: If you dial in using your phone, you must disable your computer microphone and speakers
Tagged under
Strategy & Tactics for March 2020 - Rules of the Game
Learn why, when and how to set ground rules when selling.
Words by Kevin Hallinan
Salespeople often ask me to help them avoid the dreaded “think it over,” knowing it’s bad for business. They also tell me they don’t want to be pushy since they don’t appreciate being pushed by salespeople. However, they still need to be skilled at handling objection. So, what’s my advice?...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
North Andover, MA – April 16, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, April 16th at 4:00pm Eastern Time.
Don't wait for the Nation to reopen to figure out how to market your business. Create your "Digital Business Card" TODAY!!
Learn from a couple of social media masters how to create high impact videos designed to make a lasting impression on your customers.
Understand the best ways to communicate that you and your business are prepared to take the extra care and time to thoroughly clean the vehicle prior to pickup. Also making your customer comfortable with your procedures for drop-off, pick-up, payment and demonstration of their purchase.
Learn important marketing techniques to use while your business is closed or your customer traffic is reduced.
Learn how to stay connected to your customers and your community during this time of crisis.
This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and we will discuss what all this means for you and your business.
Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speakers as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.
We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.
Register by [Clicking Here]
Tagged under
What's Happening for March 2020 - Deep in the Heartland
10 Ways to Make Yourself a Better Salesperson
How can salespeople up their game? Top Sales Pros Jayson Cook, Amari Schwartz and Elias Ventura discuss strategies for self-improvement on the sales floor.
Words by Rosa Sophia
Amari Schwartz, who works in sales at Distinctive Ride in Wasilla, Alaska, said she first thinks of knowledge and qualifying the client when she considers improving sales. “I believe to be successful and efficient, a salesperson needs to have product knowledge, install knowledge and knowledge on consumers’ buying habits,” she explained. “I have seen a lot of sales lost because of lack of product knowledge. I have also seen an equal amount of money lost because of misquoted labor charges.” In 2018, Schwartz was named Sales Pro of the Year by Mobile Electronics magazine.
Elias Ventura of Safe and Sound Mobile Electronics in Manassas, Va.—who was named Sales Pro of the Year in 2016—stated that he always self-reflects on things he could be doing better. “There are times on the sales floor when I forget the most basic, key, ‘sales 101’ things I should be doing,” he said. “It happens to the best of us.”
#1. Qualify the Client - Schwartz said a salesperson can’t...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
North Andover, MA – April 7, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar on the CARES Act 2020 and the Paycheck Protection Program - Learn How to Access Your Share of the $2.2 Trillion presented by Hilb Group of New England on Tuesday, April 7th at 3:00pm Eastern Time.
In this session, Hilb Group's benefits attorney, Suzanne D'Amato, Esq. will provide an overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (CARES Act 2020) along with further details about the Paycheck Protection Program and how you can access some of the $340 Billion in forgivable loans that are available to help you defray payroll, benefits and operating expenses.
Register by [Clicking Here]
Biography:
Suzanne D’Amato
The Hilb Group of New England -- Warwick, RI
The Hilb Group of New England -- Warwick, RI
Suzanne D’Amato joined the company in 2015 as an in-house ERISA and Employee Benefits Attorney. Suzanne assists Hilb Group clients in navigating legal and compliance issues relating to their employee benefit plans, including Affordable Care Act compliance.
Prior to joining Hilb Group, Suzanne served as General Counsel to a technology company in the recruitment advertising space, where she oversaw the development and administration of an OFCCP compliance solution and advised company executives on day-to-day legal matters. Previously, Suzanne was an ERISA Associate in the Compensation and Benefits group of two New York City law firms, where her practice focused on employee benefits and qualified retirement plans, including the drafting, implementation, operation, and termination of plans; plan qualification; plan administration; and ERISA litigation involving the representation of multi-employer pension and welfare funds in benefit claim and collection actions.
Suzanne holds a B.S. in Health Systems Management from University of Connecticut and a J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State and Federal courts of Connecticut.
Tagged under
Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – April 7, 2020: The Mobile Electronics Association is providing a list of online training opportunities at www.MEAhelp.com as a centralized resource for the Mobile Electronics Industry. Got to MEAhelp.com for more information.
This resource will be updated frequenlty with infomation about: Vital Resources for Retailers, COVID-19 Health Information, Federal & State Resources and Education & Training Events.
With millions currently staying home, SiriusXM opens access in North America via the SiriusXM app and at SiriusXM.com/streamfree
Announcement made by Howard Stern broadcasting from his home.
Featuring 300+ channels of news and information, entertainment, escape, and companionship across ad-free music channels, plus channels of live news, faith-based content, comedy, sports talk, politics, and on demand content.
New #StayHome Radio channel brings happy, feel-good music
The Billy Joel Channel and Dave Matthews Band Radio channels return, plus The Top 1000 (songs) Channel.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SiriusXM and Howard Stern today announced that starting today through May 15, SiriusXM will start offering free access to its full lineup of Premier Streaming content to listeners in North America. Howard kicked off the unprecedented Stream Free access this morning while hosting The Howard Stern Show, on channel 100, from his home.
SiriusXM Select and All Access subscribers already have access to this great content included with their subscriptions. Anyone who is not already a SiriusXM subscriber can download the SiriusXM app or go to SiriusXM.com/streamfree, and start listening free of charge, with no credit card or commitment required.
"With so many people asked to stay at home, we are making our full streaming lineup of music, entertainment, news and information easily accessible to everyone," said Jim Meyer, SiriusXM CEO. "In the days ahead, we hope it's a valuable source of information or diversion, a generous mix of fresh live content, and a source of companionship that comes from the hosts on our many shows and channels. And there was no better way to launch the Stream Free content than with Howard this morning."
Listeners will have free access to more than 300 channels of dynamic programming, featuring the acclaimed TheHoward Stern Show, hundreds of exclusive ad-free music channels, and vital news and information sources. SiriusXM is also adding entirely new curated content, and bringing back some beloved music channels by top artists.
#StayHome Radio, a feel-good, ad-free music channel, will launch April 1 on the streaming platform and channel 179 on most SiriusXM radios. The channel will feature happy and uplifting songs from artists like Lizzo and Coldplay to P!nk and Bob Marley.
And as people spend time at home, SiriusXM is bringing back The Billy Joel Channel, Dave Matthews Band Radio, and a new channel full of the Top 1000 songs across multiple genres, all available on the SiriusXM app, connected devices, as well as most SiriusXM radios, starting April 1.
Billy Joel's exclusive SiriusXM channel, The Billy Joel Channel, features music spanning his decades-long career, including songs from his live and studio albums, and Billy telling exclusive stories about his music and career. Throughout the month, the channel will also air Billy Joel: An Evening of Questions and Answers…and a little music too, which was recorded last year in Miami at the Faena Theater. It can be heard on the SiriusXM app in the Rock category and on SiriusXM radios on channel 30.
Dave Matthews Band Radio will include music from the band's extensive career, along with exclusive, never-before-heard interview content, and encore airings and highlights from Dave's recent Pay It Forward: Live performance streamed from his home and simulcast live on SiriusXM. Dave's "live from home" performance can be heard in full Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, Thursday at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT, Friday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and through the weekend. The channel will also bring back the Friday Night Concert Series, featuring a complete show from the archives every Friday night at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. While the band is off the road, the Friday Night Concert Series will feature standout shows including the band's 2018 and 2019 tour, originally heard live exclusively on SiriusXM. Dave Matthews Band Radio can be heard on the SiriusXM app in the Rock category and on SiriusXM radios initially on channel 176.
The Top 1000 Channel will bring a new genre countdown every two weeks, kicking off with the top 1000 Classic Rock Songs and followed by the top 1000 Oldies songs, Alternative Rock songs (80s to today), Country songs, RnB songs, Hard Rock songs and Hip-Hop songs. It can be heard on the SiriusXM app and on most SiriusXM radios on channel 177.
SiriusXM's ad-free music channels offer a wide variety of choices, from favorites The Highway, SiriusXM Hits 1 and our decades channels, to artist-backed channels such as The Beatles Channel, The Garth Channel, Pearl Jam Radio, Grateful Dead Channel, LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, and Eminem's Shade 45.
There are also many additional online-only music channels, including more than 100 Xtra music channels, curated for any mood, occasion or activity, as well as music channels geared toward "relaxing-at-home" listening, such as SiriusXM Chill, Watercolors, and SiriusXM Coffee House. SiriusXM music channels are home to more than 200 channel hosts who serve as trusted companions to millions in North America currently in their homes.
Listeners also get live news from major outlets such as CNN, FOX News, CNBC, MSNBC and BBC World Service, and valuable information from channels such as Doctor Radio powered by NYU Langone Health, and Business Radio. There are also inspirational and faith-based channels, multiple channels of comedy, dynamic sports talk such as Mad Dog Sports Radio, and more.
SiriusXM's entertainment channels include Radio Andy and SiriusXM Stars, featuring daily live shows covering the latest in pop culture, celebrities, lifestyle, and more. Listeners can tune in to hear live shows from SiriusXM hosts including Andy Cohen, Jenny McCarthy, Jess Cagle, Jeff Lewis, Bevy Smith, Michelle Collins and more.
The SiriusXM app also offers additional features such as SiriusXM video, Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora that listeners can curate themselves, and an On Demand library with more than 10,000 hours of archived shows, exclusive music performances, interviews and audio documentaries.
The SiriusXM app is available on mobile phones, tablets and computers, as well as on a wide variety of connected devices in the home including smart TVs, devices with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more.
About SiriusXM
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the leading audio entertainment company in the U.S., and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM and Pandora together reach more than 100 million people each month with their audio products. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers and directly to consumers through aftermarket devices. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: www.siriusxm.com.
North Andover, MA – March 31, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association will hold a Retail Owner & Manager Roundtable on Thursday, April 2nd at 4:00pm Eastern Time.
Learn what the new legislation means for you as a Mobile Electronics Retailer. Special guest to be announced.
Join Chris Cook of MEA as we provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the Mobile Electronics industry.
This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and we will discuss what the new legislation means for you and your business.
Guest panelist will take your questions and share their knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.
If you are a retail store owner or manager [Click Here] to register.
Tagged under
Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – March 30, 2020:
The Mobile Electronics Association announces the launch of www.MEAhelp.com as a resource for the Mobile Electronics Industry.
This resource will be updated frequenlty with infomation about: Vital Resources for Retailers, COVID-19 Health Information, Federal & State Resources and Education & Training Events.
Tagged under
Difference Makers for February March 2020
Deep in the Heartland
River City Sales goes the extra mile for its mom-and-pop businesses, while encouraging retailers to embrace integration as technology continues to transform.
Words by Jamie Sorcher
In North America, the largest river system is primarily composed of Missouri’s two big rivers. The Mississippi and the Missouri rivers together form the fourth-longest river in the world, stretching more than 3,800 miles from Montana to the Gulf of Mexico.
Knowing that, there couldn’t be a more fitting name for St. Louis, Mo.-based rep/distribution firm River City Sales. Founded by Brett Phelps and Gary Cooley in 2014, the company covers the territory known as the MINK states—Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
“If you look at the territory, it’s anchored by Kansas City and St. Louis on each side of the Missouri,” Phelps said. “So we have an office in Kansas City and our main office in St. Louis. It’s where Gary and I are stationed and where we have our inside sales support, Lori Beyer.”
Beyer, he said, deals with incoming calls and managing accounts—whether it’s taking orders or handling shipping or credit issues, overseeing return authorizations, or anything that...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – March 30, 2020:
The below link is for applying through the Small Business Association (SBA) for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Relief. This is a short form (5 screens) that can be completed online in a few minutes. MEA recommends that all members that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus apply for this relief.
You will need the following information:
1. Business Tax ID or Social Security number
2. Total Sales for the period from 2/1/2019 through 1/31/2020
3. Total COGS (Cost of Goods Sold - which is only what you pay for products for resale) for the same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**
4. Total Operating Expenses (Total of everything else you paid not including the COGS) for same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**
5. The date the business was established (usually date of incorporated) and current ownership is the same if it has not changed
6. Select “Automotive Repair” activity and “Automotive – Parts. Accessories” for detailed
7. Number of employees you had employed as of 1/31/2020
8. You will need the full name, address, DOB and social security number of each owner of the business and the % of ownership they have
9. Bank name, account number and routing number
**As long as you use a good faith effort in compiling the information, the government is most likely to forgive some errors.
To Start Your Application Click the Button [CLICK HERE]
When completed you will be assigned an application number and receive an email for additional information needed once your application is processed. Currently there is not a way to edit the information once submitted.
Visit MEAHelp.com for more tips on what other information you may need.
MEA Help
Tagged under
North Andover, MA – March 26, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association will hold a Retail Owner & Manager Roundtable on Thursday, March 26th at 4:00pm Eastern Time.
The moderator (Chris Cook of MEA) will provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the Mobile Electronics industry.
Some of the top KnowledgeFest instuctors will take your questions and share their knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.
Panelists for the webinar are Tomas Keenan -Top Class Installations, Jason Kranitz - Kingpin University, Bryan Schmitt - Mobile Solutions, Andy Wehmeyer - Audiofrog U
This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and will discuss issues and opportunities regarding business operations.
This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and will discuss issues and opportunities regarding business operations.
If you are a retail store owner or manager [Click Here] to register.
Tagged under
Real World Retail for February March 2020
Slow and Steady
Ocala Car Audio has built a name for itself by hosting and attending local events and weekend Bike Nights. The shop has entered the new year aiming to increase revenue in the motorcycle audio category through grassroots marketing.
Words by Rosa Sophia
Prior to opening Ocala Car Audio in Ocala, Fla., Parish Tanner worked in installation, sales, distribution and as a rep. Then, in 2008, he started installing at his home garage before moving to a retail location and joining with a business partner. “We were growing 15 to 18 percent per year,” Tanner said. In 2014, he and his business partner separated, and revenue dropped significantly. “I moved to a smaller shop with a smaller staff, but since 2015, we’ve had about 15 to 20 percent growth each year.”
Tanner attributes this growth to...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – March 4, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced that its Indianapolis KnowledgeFest event has become the fastest-growing of the three current events (Long Beach, Calif., Indianapolis, Dallas), based on pre-registration numbers to date. The exhibit space is sold out for the event and an additional hotel was contracted to meet the increased demand. KnowledgeFest Indianapolis is celebrating its sixth year as a regional trade-only education conference and exhibition. More than 1,200 industry experts are expected to attend.
Since KnowledgeFest is a domestic event, it will not be cancelled or rescheduled as a result of the coronavirus concern. There is only one known case (Chicago) within 350 miles of Indianapolis and the convention center is taking precautions by providing continuous cleaning and disinfecting of exposed surfaces, hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility, and posted reminders about best sanitary practices.
Upcoming KnowledgeFest Dates:
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 27-29, 2020
NEW for 2020! Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, May 15-17, 2020
Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, August 14-16, 2020
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, February 12-14, 2021
About KnowledgeFest
KnowledgeFest is now coast to coast. Its four regional trade-only events cover the eastern, southeastern, central and western US and Canada. KnowledgeFest combines a tradeshow floor with educational programming and training for dealers. KnowledgeFest is the only industry event dedicated to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer. For more information and to register to attend, go to www.knowledgefest.org. For exhibitor sales, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\" style="color: #000000;">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Mobile Electronics Association
Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest®, regional trade-only industry events that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers.
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – February 24, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) today announced KnowledgeFest™, in its third year at the Long Beach Convention Center, marked another success for education and training. Attendance was more than 1,500 industry professionals, including over 1,000 retailers and distributors. This year the event provided over 30 hours of educational workshops, including three additional sessions in Spanish. Also new for this year were three educational sessions focused on Fleet Safety technologies led by published author and business management expert Tomas Keenan. Key exhibiting companies provided education about new products and services with a record-setting 70 hours of manufacturer training.
“The decision was made three years ago to bring premium industry education to the west coast with the first KnowledgeFest in Long Beach,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “Through the consistent effort of local reps, manufacturers and retailers who have attended our other Knowledgefest events, we have been able to educate local retailers on the benefits of our curriculum, training and networking. The collective hard work has paid off, and exhibitor space selection for the 2021 event finished with over 90% of the available exhibit space chosen. This includes several new exhibitors.”
Coming up next month, March 27-29, KnowledgeFest sets its sights on Indianapolis in a Friday-through-Sunday event at the Indiana Convention Center. KnowledgeFest 2020 will then continue with a new event in Orlando Florida May 15-17 and then concludes the 2020 season with its Dallas event: August 12-14 at the Dallas Convention Center.
“The Indianapolis show and education conference continues to be one of our fastest-growing events,” added Cook. “Attendee pre-registration is up 50 percent to date over the previous year. Our 2020 show floor is nearly sold out. We’re looking forward to a great show in Indy, and an exciting first foray into the southeast with the new Orlando show.”
Upcoming KnowledgeFest Dates:
- Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 27-29, 2020
- NEW for 2020! Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, May 15-17, 2020
- Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, August 14-16, 2020
- Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, February 12-14, 2021
About KnowledgeFest
KnowledgeFest is now coast to coast. Its four regional trade-only events cover the eastern, southeastern, central and western US and Canada. KnowledgeFest combines a tradeshow floor with educational programming and training for dealers. KnowledgeFests are the only industry events dedicated to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer. For more information and to register to attend, go to www.knowledgefest.org.
About the Mobile Electronics Association
Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest®, regional trade-only industry events that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers.
Mobile Electronics® Magazine Announces 2020 Digital Strategy
Interactive digital format to become more smartphone ready
North Andover, MA (January 23, 2020) – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), producer of Mobile Electronics magazine, announced today a new strategy that will focus on its digital publication which has more than 1.5 million impressions since the digital service first launched a few years ago.
For more than 35 years, Mobile Electronics magazine has been the industry’s premier information and education publication, including current topics like Real World Retail, What’s Happening, Difference Makers, Strategy and Tactics and Tech Today. None of that will change, and it will continue as a monthly publication featuring its rich content.
As a digital focused publication, Mobile Electronics magazine will deliver more timely information while tracking which content is more interesting to the readers and provide quick links to advertiser websites and other valuable resources. The magazine will feature KnowledgeFest supplements (Long Beach, Indianapolis, Orlando and Dallas) with timely content of the latest information for each event.
“We have a new challenge to leverage faster, more interactive and more vibrant mediums to educate, inform and empower you (our readers),” stated Solomon Daniels, Mobile ElectronicsÒ editor-in-chief. “The book format will evolve into something else that will be more intuitive to electronic formats; we will be able to gauge your opinions in real time, share your advice one day, so other retailers can implement it the next day,” Daniels concluded.
“The economics of printing and mailing any publication, along with the increasing number of readers who prefer to access it from their smart phone, justifies this targeted approach,” said Chris Cook, President of Mobile Electronics Association. “Now,” Cook continued, “we can establish valuable partnerships with other magazines and associations to cost effectively increase our circulation.”
About the Mobile Electronics Association:
Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest, regional trade-only industry events that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers. Learn more at mobile-electronics.com.
Real World Retail for December 2019
High Volume
When it comes to turning up the tunes, Lawson’s Car Audio stocks up to meet customers’ needs in any situation.
Words by Rosa Sophia
When the business first opened in 1994 in Augusta, Georgia, Lawson’s didn’t sell car audio—instead, the store focused on anything else electronic. Current owner Morgan Lawson said his parents opened the business, but car audio came into the picture by accident. Morgan’s mother, Su Lawson, went to an auction and purchased a pallet of car audio without knowing what it was. “We sold it all within a week,” said Morgan Lawson. “Ever since the early 2000s, we’ve been nothing but an audio shop.”
The store went from being called Lawson’s to Lawson’s Car Audio, and today Morgan runs the shop. The business had three locations in 2008, he added, but when his father passed away, they downsized. If everything goes according to plan, a second location in Evans, Ga. will open in mid-April with hopes of continuing to expand into the future.
Despite going away to earn degrees in criminal justice and psychology, and later becoming a real estate agent—which he still does on the side today—Lawson said he was always drawn back to the family business. “Music brings people together,” he said. “That’s what I enjoy. I did a whole bunch of other stuff, even got my pilot’s license, but I always came back here.”
Since the beginning, the focus of the business has been...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
The Changing Role of Distribution
DOW Electronics, Velocity Distributing and Davis Distribution share how they view the role of distribution in 12-volt, where it’s been and where it will go from here.
Words by Rosa Sophia
Over the last few years, the line between retail and distribution has grown fuzzy, according to Dave Elkin of DOW Electronics. “Eight or nine years ago, it was still very much rules-driven—restocking fees and that sort of thing. We were just a wholesale step between the manufacturer and the dealer.”
But what changed? Elkin added that dealers wanted more of a retail experience for themselves. “If we want a high level of customer satisfaction, we have to adapt in that area for sure.” Elkin began his career with DOW in 1995, and the company itself has been in business since 1959. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that DOW began growing and expanding the 12-volt side of the business. “It’s not just moving boxes anymore,” he said, adding it’s about “the education of...Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tagged under
The Magazine
Magazine Quick Links
