KEEPING THE OLD STUFF ALIVE AND KICKING.BUSINESS NAME: The Audio Specialist BUSINESS ADDRESS: 13251 Ventura Ventura (vĕnt  `rə), city (1990 pop. 92,575), seat of Ventura co., SW Calif., on the Pacific coast in a farm and oil region; inc. 1866. Blvd Blvd abbr (= boulevard) → Bd . Suite D, Studio City PHONE: (818) 995-8648 WEB SITE: www.audiospecialist.com OWNER: Howard Bardach ESTABLISHED: 1978 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Two DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: We service and sell all kinds of vintage and current home entertainment and professional equipment, including turntables, speakers, reel-to-reel recorders. We specialize spe·cial·ize v. 1. To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment. 2. To adapt to a particular function or environment. in stereo See stereophonic. components and quality vintage audio vacuum tube vacuum tube: see electron tube. vacuum tube Electron tube consisting of a sealed glass or metal enclosure from which the air has been withdrawn. It was used in early electronic circuitry to control a flow of electrons. equipment. IS THIS YOUR FIRST BUSINESS? Yes WHY DID YOU START THIS BUSINESS? I was exposed to good sound and music at a very early age and was fascinated by what it was that made it work. As a youngster, I would hurry to finish my homework so I could assist my father in his shop and hear all about the early pioneers in the audio industry. I love my work and enjoy bring good-sounding music to my customers' ears. WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA? I always knew that working in electronics was my calling, so I tried to learn and absorb as much as I could. When I finished college, I wanted to own my business and work independently. HOW LONG WAS IT FROM CONCEPT TO OPENING? One year. WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THAT TIME? I started in my parents' garage. I bought the necessary test equipment, got my business license, insurance, spoke to people in the same field and distributed fliers for jobs. WHAT WERE YOUR STARTUP COSTS AND HOW DID YOU FINANCE THE BUSINESS? I applied for a loan and got $5,000, plus some savings. WHO DID YOU RELY ON FOR ADVICE? People in the industry. WHAT HADN'T YOU CONSIDERED BEFORE OPENING? The speed of the ever-changing technology, facing challenges, working late into the night and surviving as a small businessman Noun 1. small businessman - a businessman who runs a business employing less than 100 people businessman, man of affairs - a person engaged in commercial or industrial business (especially an owner or executive) . WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTED REVENUE THIS YEAR? $175,000 WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COMPANY? To let people know that I'm here. I enjoy interacting with people, and they in turn express their appreciation to me. They tell me I'm a dying breed. Many of us have electronic gear sitting on the shelves collecting dust. Bring it in for restoration, consignment The delivery of goods to a carrier to be shipped to a designated person for sale. A Bailment of goods for sale. A consignment is an arrangement resulting from a contract in which one person, the consignor, either ships or entrusts goods to another, the or recycling recycling, the process of recovering and reusing waste products—from household use, manufacturing, agriculture, and business—and thereby reducing their burden on the environment. . We can breathe life back into it, and I will oblige my customers to repair, sell and stay in business as long as I possibly can. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Howard Bardach opened his Audio Specialist store in Studio City because he valued vintage electronics and enjoyed ``bringing good-sounding music to my customers' ears.'' Evan Yee/Staff Photographer |
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