National Audio-Visual Company of Duluth

For the past 22 years, National Audio-Visual of Duluth has been providing businesses and individuals in the region with a vast array of audio-visual equipment rental, set-up, repair, and servicing.  Since taking over ownership of the company, Bob Johnson has maintained that tradition and successfully kept up with the rapidly growing technological advances of the industry.
 

Prior to purchasing National Audio-Visual, Johnson spent twelve years working for a Minneapolis-based retail automotive chain.  The rapid growth of the business coupled with the frustrations of trying to get decisions made in a large company prompted Johnson to consider a career change. 
 

“When I decided to make a change, I wrote down all of the skills I had learned over the years,” says Johnson, “and it was apparent that owning my own business was the best answer.”
 

With financial assistance from a Duluth bank, Johnson was able to purchase National Audio-Visual from its previous owners in 2000, and in late 2003 he decided to look into technical assistance from the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund.  Johnson had a number of one-on-one meetings with Business Developer Dale Porter to assist him in finalizing his business plan and developing realistic cash flow projections.  He also attended the CORE FOUR^® Business Planning Course in Duluth.
 

“I wish I had found it before I started running my own business,” says Johnson of the CORE FOUR^® Business Planning Course.  “I highly recommend anyone considering starting their own business sign up before jumping in like I did.”

With Porter’s assistance, Johnson was able to develop an updated business plan and use it to project his business’ monthly cash flow for 2004 and 2005, which has been helping him to better control the growth of his business.  “Cash flow is the most important part of your business,” states Johnson, “and understanding the difference between profit and cash can make the difference between succeeding and failing.”
 

A long-standing leader in the A/V industry, National Audio-Visual provides equipment for both sale and rental, and they are a dealer for many major brands.  Other services include media duplication and transfer, and digital editing services. 
 

National Audio-Visual provides its customers with access to just about any audio-visual needs they can imagine.  Johnson has kept on top of the latest innovations in the A/V industry, and most recently has added DVD/CD duplication and burning services with the ability to record most anything to disc as well as make any number of copies in a short time. “We are always adding new equipment,” says Johnson.  “Give us a call and I’m sure we can help.”