Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Williams.
Colin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in school at Northeastern Illinois University, getting my music degree in early childhood education, and working as a sound engineer at various clubs/music venues and AV companies around the Chicagoland area when in 2004 the opportunity to start my own AV/Sound & Lighting Company presented itself. A very busy band offered to hire me as their exclusive sound and lighting provider. So, I decided to take a semester off school to pursue it, and never made it back. Audible Sound Productions started in a one car garage, with one van, and one full PA system. Within 5 years (by 2009) we had moved up to a 2000 square foot warehouse in the Edgewater neighborhood (which we are still in today), with a fleet of vehicles and enough PA systems to handle upwards of 10 events on any given day. As our client list has grown and expanded, so has our gear, and our staff of sound/AV/lighting techs and contractors. We currently handle around 10 various bands that regularly play throughout the region, as well as handling many other clients for their AV, sound and lighting needs. We have also moved into the install side of the business, providing PA systems, and lighting systems for clubs in Chicago.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would love to think (especially in hind sight) that it’s been relatively smooth over the years, but obstacles have definitely presented themselves, which we’ve learned and grown from. Keeping our client base happy with the service we provide has always been our main concern and sometimes that came with a cost, especially when putting together the volume of work we handle – it can be a physically and mentally struggle when putting in back to back 12 hour days, but always worth it in the end. Other challenges have been keeping upwards of 15-20 contractors working as much as possible, and juggling the many details that go into planning and executing each event, but that being said, it’s also the biggest reward when we end a day, and each event went perfect. We have maintained a very loyal client base because of that attention to detail and our client service based code that we all live by. Organizing a busy weekend in the middle of the summer (when sometimes there are as many as 15-20 different ‘jobs’ that we are handling) can be a tedious task, but we’ve learned along the way what works best, and what doesn’t. Ultimately making sure the client is more than happy, and every event goes very smoothly is our top goal, and because of this, at this point, we can confidently take on nearly any challenge.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Audible Sound Productions, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a sound, lighting, and AV company. We specialize in sound for live bands, mostly private events, as well as festivals, and concerts. We provide PA sound systems, event and stage lighting, as well as any and all AV needs, such as screens/projectors, flat screen TV’s, pipe and drape, and staging. We have maintained a very positive reputation as one of the most reliable companies in the area that handle the type of high end events that we handle. Our crew of engineers/techs/contractors pride themselves on knowing that we are working to make sure any given event (regardless of size or scope) goes off without any issue, or mishaps. We work directly with the bands, the clients the venues and the catering departments at all of the venues throughout Chicago to ensure a smooth event, taking care to make sure that ultimately we maintain a highly regarded relationship with everyone we directly, or indirectly work with.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is amazing, 1st of all, just nowhere else like it. The grit of a city, with small town friendliness is not a common combination. The neighborhoods, the Lake, the architecture, and the vast variety of cultures and opportunities to be submerged within those cultures has always been something that I, personally, have enjoyed immensely. But! Living in a large metropolis such as Chicago obviously has its downsides. Traffic can drive one crazy, the weather can be … challenging at times, and keeping safe in a city that is notorious for its crime is something that you learn to live with; but the advantages definitely outweigh any of the downsides. There is an endless supply of opportunities to anyone that works hard at what they love, and an endless supply of characters to keep us entertained while going about our daily lives.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 773-580-9414
- Email: colin@audiblesound.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudibleSoundProductions
Image Credit:
Colin Williams
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