Words by Rosa Sophia This year’s Installer of the Year, T.J. Carlson, works at Portland, Ore.-based Musicar Northwest and he’s been in the industry for about 20 years. His love of music was sparked early on, he said, and he started playing the drums in seventh grade. “Music has always been important to me. Cars have always been fun and ...

Do you have something to share about how you’ve grown in your career? Reach out. I’d love to hear from you. If you’re a regular reader of this magazine—and I hope you are—then you know our Model Mentor feature is intended to inspire. This month, Sales Rep of the Year Mike Blackwell encourages industry professionals to own their mistakes, and ...

Retailer of the Year Laketown Speed and Sound aims to enhance clients’ experience, educate the DIYer and strengthen the industry through education and support. Words by Rosa Sophia Draper, Utah-based Laketown Speed and Sound is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience, according to store owner John Mueller. What happens when a potential client brings in their own equipment—purchased ...

Continued education and a willingness to share knowledge are two essential aspects to closing the sale. In this month’s Industry Awards feature, John Mueller, owner of Retailer of the Year Laketown Speed and Sound, discusses how he and his team educate customers, offering knowledge which eventually transforms them into repeat clients. Thinking about my own experience as a customer, I ...