03.06.2008 — What is your basic business philosophy? Listen to your customers. Deliver on your promises. Always be respectful and appropriate.

Create impressive presentations, and have fun doing it. Then, do whatever it takes to convert customers into fans.

What are the most important business lessons you have learned?

1. Build strong vendor relationships through loyalty and candor. My survival after Katrina would not have been possible without their support.

2. No dusty boxes; if it’s not working, move on—that includes business procedures that prove to be ineffective or inefficient.

3. Customers are not always right, but it is our job to make them think they are.

Best business decision: Identifying and committing to key vendors and focusing our product mix. Carrying the “brand of the moment” diminishes sales focus and diffuses attention.

Most important operational piece of advice: Be an authentic, local resource, but look and act like a Fortune 500 company.

Communicate your brand message consistently. Everything from the logo, the store design, employee uniforms, the van graphics, etc. must work together to build hometown recognition and confidence without taking away from your unique identity.

Most important sales piece of advice: I believe that you must create a comfortable environment for your customers.
People should be able to express their wishes and desires with the expectation that they are being heard. If the demo that follows reflects that they were listened to, then the sale is made.

Each experience in the store needs to be compelling and memorable. I want everyone to leave the store with their minds blown.

A crucial turning point for your business? A turning point was the Grand Opening of Valentino Home Entertainment in Baton Rouge. The opportunities made possible by the new location are exciting.

Biggest challenge going forward: The “post-Katrina” economy has been a significant challenge. The still-recovering New Orleans market is difficult to predict.

Decisions regarding advertising, staffing and inventory must be made based on an unpredictable demographic.

Greatest business accomplishments? Katrina survival and recovery.

With the help of my supportive and courageous family, dedicated employees struggling with their own recovery, loyal customers and vendors and our fantastic friends and colleagues in the consumer electronics industry, I have rebuilt Audio Resource in New Orleans.

During this challenging time, I also built and opened Valentino Home Entertainment, my spectacular new location in Baton Rouge, La.

What you like most about this business? I get to do what I love. My passion since grade school has been music and stereo equipment. So, at the end of the day, I sell toys.

Who is your hero and why? My wife Kathryn and 8-year-old son, Clay. They have always been unconditionally supportive and my biggest cheerleaders.

Since Katrina, like everyone else in New Orleans, they have endured life-changing decision after life-changing decision and have done so selflessly.

I couldn’t consider the prospect of owning two stores in two markets without knowing they were by my side.