Mobile Electronics Magazine - Retail News

Administrative Support Kristin Bouldin Emphasizes the Importance of Personal Growth for Business Growth

WORDS BY LAURA KEMMERER

Kristin Bouldin, who works for DES of Wilmington, Inc., has spent most of their career growing with DES, remembering a time when the business operated out of a two-car garage. Now, DES works out of a ten-car garage. Bouldin has worked in the mobile electronics industry for the past five years, and supports DES, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, in an administrative capacity.

“My responsibilities here have grown over time from scheduling and administrative duties right on into a full circle of the functioning of our company,” she said. DES of Wilmington, in business since 1999 and owned by Branden Shuler since 2004, specializes in mobile electronics for cars, ATVs, marine vessels and aircraft. “[I handle] sales, scheduling, customer service, administrative work, the whole nine yards to make sure we satisfy our customers and ensure they have a great experience as well as our employees—because without happy employees, a company simply cannot function smoothly enough to keep growing and expanding,” Bouldin added.

That dedication to business growth is also fueled by Bouldin’s own habit of cultivating curiosity. To improve sales performance, she emphasizes the importance of learning. When you learn more, you provide a better customer experience and help the business grow: “Knowing everything inside and out gives me the ability to present the best solution, in the best way to achieve whatever our customers’ vision may be.”

APICELLA AUTO SOUND MERGES WITH EPIC AUTO WURX TO FORM VANGUARD AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN

Apicella Auto Sound, based in Stony Point, New York, marked the end of 2021 by merging with Epic Auto Wurx to establish a new business: Vanguard Automotive Design. According to Nick Apicella, owner of Apicella Auto Sound, there was a time when he and Chris Gliemann of Epic Auto Wurx were essentially doing work in each other’s backyards. “We were both doing higher-end work, higher-end cars, and eventually we became friends and we were helping each other out,” he explained. “Next thing you know, we’re both at our max capacity, but we both specialize in specific areas. So, we decided it would be best to go ahead and put our abilities together. And here we are.”

Before the merger, Apicella Auto Sound specialized in high-end car audio, whereas Epic Auto Wurx focused on a broader spectrum but with an emphasis on high-end work. Apicella noted that Gliemann was especially good at fabrication. Gliemann also did radar and laser countermeasure systems, a business specialty. Both co-owners kept their separate business names after the merger, but Vanguard is very much a collaborative venture.

Thanks to the serendipitous timing of an interested customer, Apicella was shown a garage that would be a sizeable upgrade for his business. But, thinking of the bigger picture, Apicella called Gliemann and told him about the space, asking if he wanted to go in on the collaborative business they had been discussing.

Apicella noted that the name Vanguard doubles as both a strong moniker as well as a business philosophy—“Vanguard” meaning a group of people who lead the way on developing cutting-edge ideas. Apicella also noted that his fiancée came up with the name.

“We actually use that as part of our marketing,” he said. “We’ve got the definition on a sticker on a big wall in our shop. And it’s exactly what it sounds like. We’re a group of people leading the way in our industry. I truly think we are among the best at what we handle here.”

Thinking of the future, Apicella said Vanguard Automotive Design is most interested in growing. They already have great customers and great employees, and now “we just have to do our job,” he said, adding, “I have no doubt we’ll rise to the top in all aspects.”

ACT Audio Welcomes New Team Member

Late last year, ACT Audio, based in Vernon, Connecticut, welcomed Austin Wheeler to the team. Initially, Wheeler, who started as a breathalyzer tech, learned how to cut keys and program them. Once he’d demonstrated his aptitude for writing, Wheeler also took on writing blog posts for the business. He also edits presentations before business representatives go to KnowledgeFest.

Wheeler, who didn’t have any prior experience in the industry, is now an MECP Product Specialist. “He’s big into off-road vehicles and ATVs,” said business owner James P. Smith. “His strengths are customer service. He deals well with our breathalyzer customers.”

Wheeler also tests all vehicles that come in, doing battery checks. He helps keep the day-to-day gears of the business moving by checking in the next car, getting it pulled around for the techs, doing the battery test, and then passing the car off to the techs.

“We also brought on a detailer who wanted to learn the mobile electronics trade, and we’re teaching him, and he’s also doing our detailing for us,” Smith said. “He’s doing really well.”

WHO’S WHO?

Jeremiah Mojica

Shop: GNC Customs Location: Goshen, Ind.

Hobbies: “I spend a lot of time with my family. I like to clean my car. I play guitar and bass guitar. I’ve recently started doing Jiu Jit Su.”

What You’re Really Good At: “I’m not always the best at finding product solutions, but I am good at fixing issues. If there’s something that breaks, or if we have to figure out how to do something—I’m good at finding creative solutions.”

Kristin Bouldin

Shop: DES of Wilmington, Inc. Location: Wilmington, NC Years of Industry Experience: 5

Hobbies: “Outside of work, my number one thing that I love is to spend time with my seven year old daughter. We love anything at the beach whether it be as simple as a walk or exciting as paddle boarding. I also very much enjoying reading a good book.”

What Your Really Good At: “In the past year, I’ve focused on amassing knowledge. This gives me the ability to present the best solution in the best way, to achieve whatever our customers’ vision may be.”