We recently had the chance to connect with Jim Wardlaw and have shared our conversation below.
Jim, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Many people think that Cutom Audio/Video is Home Theaters. We are so much more than that. We do wired and wireless network systems, Satellite systems, Starlink systems, fiber optic wiring and networks, shades, both indoor and outdoor, Outdoor Theaters, outdoor low voltage lighting, outdoor high performing sound systems, outdoor and indoor LED video walls , automation of every subsystem inside your home, Whole house Audio/Video, Video over IP, Audio over IP, etc……the amount of technology that we can achieve inside of a home, commercial application or House of Worship is limitless.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jim Wardlaw. My company is Perfect Installations Inc. We are located in Rockwall, Texas, but we work all over the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex as well as outlying Towns and Cities. We travel wherever the customer needs us.
I am the President/Owner of the company. We have been in business over 29 years. I do all of the design work, implementation of the design, customer sales and I also work with my installation crew in the field. I do most of the programming when we do an automation system. I am very “hands on.” We cater to the customer with refined tastes that want the total experience. We also cater to customers that are unhappy with their current A/V company or system, and want someone to come in and take care of them and the system. We are a total “one stop shop.” We can take care of what ever the need is. Pretty much anything with a wire or doesn’t have a wire, we can control it, replace it or service it. Full design, sales, installation, programming and service.
At this current time we are working on several automation jobs in residential as well as commercial. We specialize in this type of work. We love making a system easy to use. Not difficult for the family or group to operate. It is our passion to make the customer happy and satisfied with everything we are doing for them.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When my mother died from cancer. I was 21 years old. That changed me and how I saw the world. It made me doubt many of the things I believed in. I went into a spiral for a few years that I eventually came out of. When I did, I came out stronger, smarter and more determined to make it.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is tough. It holds you down and doesn’t want to let you up. It can try it’s best to beat you.
That is not an option. I’ve always been successful. I had been successful in sports, school and life up to that point. Time to get back up.
Eventually I did. Took years to build up tools, resources, knowledge and clientele.
Suffering taught me that being down isn’t permanent. Always look on the brightside. It could be worse!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I’m no different on the job or at home. I am respectful, thoughtful, trustworthy and hard working. What you see is what you get. I will shoot straight with you and tell you the truth.
On the other hand, I will joke with you and make it a fun, easy atmosphere where all are having a good time. I enjoy the smiles on my customers faces when the job is complete and I show them the system. Most of my customers become good trusted friends that I enjoy going over to their house and seeing them. I still have customers where we have been doing business together for over 30 years. Now I’m doing their kids houses after they have grown up and have a family.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. I grew up that way. Not a lot of praise for what I accomplished even at an early age. Now …….I don’t look for praise or expect any. I don’t enter my systems in contests or go around thumping my chest. I actually love what I do for a living. It makes me excited every day to go to work. I give my all every day to do better than the day before. One of our mottos, in the company, is to leave the customers house cleaner than you found it. Take care of their home like it’s yours. This doesn’t bring praise either. It brings happiness to the homeowner. That is why Perfect Installations isn’t just the name of the company.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Rowlettcustomaudiovideo.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-wardlaw-b2467b381?trk=contact-info
- Facebook: Perfect Installations
