Smith Audio Visual, Inc., a Washburn SBDC success story

2007 Existing Business of the Year
Name of Business	Smith Audio Visual, Inc.
Nature of Business	Professional sound installation, presentation, digital surveillance, controlled access and home theatre.
Owner	Larry Heilman
Location	Topeka, KS
County	Shawnee County
Phone	785-235-3481
Website	www.smithav.com
Business Structure	S-Corp
Business Began	1983
Employees at Start Up	6
Employees in 2006	19
Revenues in 2006	$1,200,000
2007 Sales Forecast	$2,100,000
KSBDC Counselor	Washburn University KSBDC Staff

Attend a board room, banquet hall, or sports stadium designed with audio or visual equipment installed by Smith Audio Visual, and you quickly appreciate the quality of perfect site and sound. Larry Heilman would have it no other way and now is widely recognized by his peers as a visionary and leader in the audio visual industry, not only for his innovations but also his contributions to the profession. Larry regularly provides training at a national level and has written numerous articles about trends in the audio visual field.

In 2005, Larry received an Excellence in Business Award given to him by the National Systems Contractor Association. The same year, Smith Audio Visual was named a Top 50 System Integrator in the nation. Larry has come a long way from his first days at Steve Smith Audio Visual and Camera (originally founded in 1918), where as a high school student he helped as an AV Tech. After college, Larry got the opportunity to rejoin the company where he ascended the ranks to the general manager role.

In 1983 he bought controlling interest from the Smith family and began building the business. It was then that Larry first worked with the Washburn SBDC and has maintained a relationship ever since. “Look at every angle before you start your business, because you don’t have the time once you are up and running – the SBDC can help you review your plan,” commented Larry. He also has found success in the old adage, “Hire Good People.” When family illness required him to spend significant time away from his business in 2006, Smith Audio Visual employees proceeded to grow sales 90%. Once a local and regional business, Larry has grown Smith Audio Visual to national levels. His latest design and installation of audio equipment was for the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana. Who knows where business will take Larry next, but you can bet that it will be with a customer that demands innovative design, quality equipment, and the satisfying result of perfect site and sound.