Rookie of the Year – Crossing the Divide
Continuous efforts to share and learn will ensure the industry’s longevity, according to Rookie of the Year Meghan Watson.
Words by Rosa Sophia
Rookie of the Year Meghan Watson grew up around engines, helping her father and grandfather work on their projects. “I think that primed me for the position I’m in now,” she said, adding that she joined the team at Vernon’s Signature Audio in Lubbock, Texas, because co-owner Leon Winchester needed an assistant.
Winchester said, “I was staying late hours trying to get things done, and I needed help.” He added that he told his partner, Steve Vernon, he didn’t want to hire another installer. “I didn’t want to hire someone to do what I was doing. I needed someone who could do basic stuff. This is where Meghan comes in. She was hired to be my assistant.”
Watson began by checking in cars, preparing the vehicles and getting tools ready. She enjoys helping in whatever capacity she can, she said, adding that being an assistant allows her to go wherever she’s needed most in the business. Her diverse background also helped inform her current work. In the past, she worked in the medical field—as well as in law enforcement. She came to 12-volt looking for something different.
There’s Always Something New to Learn
Law enforcement, Watson said, took a mental toll on her. She also studied phlebotomy and became a lab technician. Everything we do, she said, prepares us for the next thing. While each of her experiences has been different, Watson said she learned a lot about relating to people. She continues to draw from that knowledge today.
When she attends KnowledgeFest, she heads for the business and sales classes. The lessons, she said, apply everywhere. “It’s human relations. Knowing how to deal with people is huge.”
The Rookie of the Year award means everything to her, she said, adding, “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be the first woman to do something. The more I can learn, the better. I want to keep going.” At Vernon’s Signature Audio, she is cross-trained to handle both sales and installations. Sales is a particular challenge, she said.
“People are all different. You almost have to have a master class in how to interact and communicate. You can never learn too much.” She said she’s been handling ordering at the store, which involves a lot of logistical consideration—knowing what’s used the most and what’s selling the best. This transfers into marketing, she said, adding that she feels market trends have a lot to do with what people are most knowledgeable about in the moment. “If they’re educated on something, they can form their own opinion.” In Lubbock, Texas, she said, a lot of people still like it loud and Vernon’s Signature Audio caters to that person, educating on the dynamics of sound.
Building Community Will Ensure the Longevity of the Industry
When it comes to improving her skillsets, one of Watson’s goals is to learn to do interiors. While she hasn’t had a chance yet, she looks forward to it in the future. She recently acquired a 2007 Pontiac and plans to experiment, turning it into a project car.
She’s also been working to level up as a salesperson. A consultation with a customer generally takes about 20 minutes. A basic education on the purpose of subwoofers, tweeters, mid-bass and frequency “helps them understand what their sound system is missing,” she said. “If they can’t afford an option, they can always come back later and add it in. It’s always evolving.”
Vernon’s Signature Audio also offers security options like TURY, as well as lighting. “We have a company vehicle and we put trace lights in the doors and in the dash. They came out looking so good that every single person we’ve showed it to says, ‘I want those.’ It’s not cheap, but it’s something that’s fun.” Once it’s installed in a company vehicle, and the customer sees it, “they immediately fall in love with it.” Everybody loves lights, Watson said, and it’s a lucrative add-on sale at the store.
She feels a lot of people don’t know what they’re missing when it comes to audio. There’s a luxury experience available, she said—more than what drivers get from a standard OEM sound system. “I think a lot more people would choose to have [an upgrade] if they knew it existed,” she said, adding that many people don’t even know the level of electronic expertise available at a mobile electronics shop. “It surprises me whenever a dealership calls us and says, ‘Hey, can you fix this?’ Because it’s an electrical issue and they don’t have anyone who can do it. In our area, we get a lot of OEM repairs from dealerships or used car lots.”
If people are worried about the 12-volt industry disappearing, they shouldn’t be—such specialized skills are necessary and not widely available, Watson added. “It’s still so important.” She agreed that if shops are struggling, they could lean into that knowledge and electrical expertise, sharing it with their communities. Don’t be afraid to share the information, she added. “I feel like people are afraid to expose their secrets. But we all kind of know the same secrets by this point. Stop gatekeeping, and maybe we won’t struggle so much [as an industry].”
The knowledge is the same “and everyone is still going to do things differently. You’re going to learn a lot of different ways of doing things. As long as you’re following your own policy and procedures, you can add your own flavor—mix it up. You can learn something from the next guy,” then apply a different approach. “We’re here to learn from each other. There’s enough money for all of us. The more we share, the more money there is for everyone,” because the end result of sharing is letting the community know what’s available.
Keep Prioritizing Communication and Transparency
As Watson has grown in her career, she said she’s learned a lot about business and finances. She’s also learned a lot about customer service. For example, she said, “If something [goes wrong] make sure to tell them. If a plan changes, make sure you’re keeping them informed and doing your best. Communication is key.” It’s also important to be transparent with your customer, she added.
Recently, Vernon’s Signature Audio has sorted out its inventory and Watson has been focused on logistics and scheduling “to make sure everyone has what they need.”
When it comes to incoming projects, she’ll get an estimate and realize “I don’t think that part’s going to work for this, so I need to go back and ask the tech, ‘Are you sure this piece is correct?’” This, she added, is good quality control. “I’m also still doing commercial tint and I’m doing tech work when they need me. I love getting to move in whatever direction I’m needed.” She will also assist in designing projects.
“We’re good about checking each other’s work,” she added. “We always go back and double-check everything to make sure it’s what’s best for the car and for the customer.”
Watson’s favorite part about her work is the fact that it’s always changing: “One day, you’ll see a busted-out minivan, and the next, an Audi or a Porsche. You never know what you’re going to see, and it’s fun to meet the customer and [discover] the customer is just as excited as you are. I love making someone’s day.”
Recently, a client drove five hours from New Mexico to bring the shop a 1972 Chevrolet C10 on an El Camino frame, Watson said, adding that it was a favorite project of hers. “We ended up tinting the truck and putting a system in it. He was so excited and happy about it. I just thought the truck was beautiful.”
Outside of work, Watson enjoys creative projects and upcycling. “I want to make custom floor mats for my car,” she said, adding that her Pontiac—so far—has only seen mechanical repairs. Since it’s an older vehicle, Watson wants to ensure it’s reliable before moving on to interior work.
She advised industry colleagues to learn as much as possible from everyone in their sphere. “Even if you don’t think you can learn anything from someone, I promise you that you can. Everyone has something valuable. It just takes discernment to find it,” she said. “Be good to yourself. Give yourself grace. Love yourself. I think we forget that.”
“Be good to yourself. Give yourself grace. Love yourself. I think we forget that.”
