We were lucky to catch up with Tim Hohenstein recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I often think about this now that I’m a father myself. Throughout my entire life, my parents have been extremely supportive of me, and any path I chose. Whether it was trying something that I’ve never done before or changing my major during my senior year of college, their support didn’t waver. They’ve always encouraged me and taught me to listen and learn from the people around me. As I started my business, I used those lessons to connect with other individuals that had started their own business and navigated the entrepreneurial landscape to try to learn as much as I could from their experiences. I also connected with experts like an accountant, attorney and insurance agent that had more business expertise than I did to ensure I was effectively running the business side of things. The lessons my parents have taught me and their unconditional support were extremely beneficial as I started my business, and they continue to be my biggest supporters.

Tim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started A Smarter Home in 2018. The business started as a passion and hobby, and I was installing quite a few smart home products in my own home – smart light bulbs, doorbell, and smart thermostat to name a few. Friends and family would ask me about products as they were doing things in their own homes, and I would get really energized by talking to them about it. That decision to pursue something I am passionate about led to the start of A Smarter Home and me helping others make their homes more automated, efficient, and exciting through all of the smart products that can be installed and integrated into your home and life.

As a smart home solutions company, we work with all sorts of different smart home products; from lighting, doorbells, thermostats, cameras, security, automation and so much more. We work most closely with products such as Nest and Ring as we are Nest Certified Professionals and Ring Authorized Partners. This means that we provide extensive product and installation knowledge to our clients, as well as product discounts.

What sets us apart from other businesses is the amount of time and consideration we spend with our clients. We strive to truly understand the needs of our clients and those we serve. We believe that all of our customers deserve a home that is comfortable and caters to their everyday lifestyle, and we are committed to providing just that. Part of our services include teaching our clients how to use all of the great products we’ve installed. We will spend as much time as necessary to fully explain how to use everything so our clients are completely comfortable before we leave.

One thing I’m most proud of is how much our company has matured over the past several years. Not only has our product knowledge and services improved over the past 4 years, but we’ve also really honed in on our areas of strength and the value we provide to our clients. That is where we are continuing to focus as we target growth opportunities and scale our business in the future.

I’d like our potential clients to know that we will take as much time as needed to understand and we truly care about improving their lives, whether that is enabling greater convenience for them or ensuring safety, through smart home products.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Starting this business was a pivot in my career and personal life. I had been working in facility operations for about 5 years when my passion for all thing smart home truly started to grow. My wife and I had a conversation about what I would do if I could make a career out of doing something I was really passionate about, and it was helping others learn about and install smart products. So with a lot of support, we decided I would quit my job to stay at home with our sons and start building a business. I saw a real potential for people wanting to integrate smart products into their home and lives, but not knowing how to get started. The amount of products on the market can be overwhelming and it takes some time to research which product is best for their needs and then installing and setting up new products around their home. My passion and this opportunity led to the start of A Smarter Home. Getting to meet so many wonderful people is one of the things I enjoy most about what I do. It has been one of the best decision of my life and I’m so grateful I made the pivot when I did.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My business started with family and friends and individuals in my network. Once I got more confident, I started focusing on engaging those outside of my primary sphere of influence. Building trust and a strong reputation with your clients and within your market can be invaluable. I believe that this trust-building process is centered on me treating every project like I’m working on my own home or business. I know the importance of taking my time, getting it right, and genuinely caring about what I’m working on. Each home is most likely the most important investment my client has made and is the space where they feel the most comfortable in the world. Technology continues to evolve quickly. Staying up to date on the latest trends is important and sets our business apart from the competition because we are researching and learning every day. If a popular brand comes out with a new product, my clients reach out and want to know the latest and greatest features, and it’s my job to tell them. I also maintain certifications with the most well-known brands which establishes credibility and ensures a level of expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.smarterhomestl.com
• Instagram: @smarterhomestl
• Facebook: @smarterhomestl
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tim-hohenstein