We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Barry Jennings. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Barry below.

Alright, Barry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was starting my own business. It’s a big leap to go from a bi-weekly paycheck to finding your own work and income.

Before this, I was in debt and struggling to make ends meet. I spent a long time searching for a job that paid well, and was repeatedly promised bonuses and raises by different companies that never materialized.

Frustrated, I decided to take a chance on subcontracting. Several companies expressed interest in using me as a subcontractor and paying my desired rate. So, I took the plunge and quit my job without a guaranteed future income.

From there, I trusted the path that unfolded in front of me. I found work, and eventually, customers interested in full systems.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into AV began through a lucky encounter with a friend. It turned out to be the perfect fit for my skillset, even though I had previously explored nearly every trade class imaginable in high school and held various jobs, from handyman to construction worker. This diverse background proved invaluable in AV, where custom solutions, on-the-fly design, and even fabrication are often required.

To stay ahead of the curve, I decided to pursue further education. First, I earned an associate’s degree in business to gain the necessary knowledge for running a successful business. Later, recognizing the growing importance of IT networking in AV, I completed a bachelor’s degree in this field. My intuition proved correct, as everything is now networked – cameras, audio, video, and all device connections rely heavily on strong networks.

This unique combination of education and experience has equipped me to excel as a professional in the AV industry, a field I’m truly passionate about.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

I took a leap into a second business while Jennings AV was still in its early stages. I didn’t have the capacity to manage both effectively, and the second venture was failing. I was personally funding payroll there, and ultimately, I had to close the business. During the recovery process, there were a couple of instances where cash flow was tight, and I had to borrow money from a client to meet payroll. It was a nerve-wracking time.

The most important lesson I learned in business school was that a company cannot survive without positive cash flow. The possibility of not being able to make payroll was terrifying. Fortunately, on both occasions, I was simply waiting for a check to arrive, but it was still a stressful experience. The worst part, however, was having to swallow my pride and ask for help.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

People trust the recommendations of those they know. In my line of work, clients want someone they can trust to handle things without lengthy pricing negotiations or research. They simply want reliable service. That’s why referrals are the golden ticket. When a client sees my work at a friend’s house or asks a friend for a recommendation, a referral creates instant trust. However, this trust comes with a responsibility. I must consistently deliver high-quality service to uphold that trust, not just for the new client but also for the person who referred them.

Disappointing a referred client is doubly bad. Not only do you lose their business, but you also risk damaging the trust of the person who referred them. In essence, you’ve let two people down. This makes referrals not only the best type of client, but also the best source of new clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenningsav.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenningsav_1?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenningsAV/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jennings-av/
• Other: https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.JenningsAVLLC.92523001.html

Image Credits
cara lefebvre