Interview with Fernando and Deb Salazar, owners
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Fernando’s background from the military was in electronics, back in 1989. His passion for electronics brought us into owning our own home automation company in 2000. Debbie’s background is in management and customer service. Both together make a great fit.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: We are a husband-and-wife team. Instead of your family being separated by all the new audio and video technology, we bring innovation and family together as experts in the field for 14 years. Our store is like no other, with a feeling of home and warmth located in the small, quaint village of Castle Pines. When it comes time to go into the homes of our clients, their home is their sanctuary. We respect that by covering our shoes with booties, and we lay a rug down before entering on the days of bad weather. We neatly lay our equipment out and start the installation. After the job is finished, a nice thank you card will be in their mailbox.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: After we have helped our clients either with a small job or large, or if they come in to the store to just pick up a single speaker or Tivoli Radio, it is the pure pleasure of seeing that smile of their face of satisfaction and happiness. That is what makes this business so much fun and rewarding.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Staying abreast of current technology. We invest 40-plus hours of continuing education per employee per year in order to maintain the knowledge we need to advise our clients.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Fernando was a radar officer in the Marine Corps, and Debbie is an avid animal lover — she once had four dogs at the same time.
Profile
Business: SmartLife Audio Video
Address: 858 W. Happy Canyon Road, Suite 115, Castle Rock
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays (through Dec. 28)
Founded: 2000
Contact: 303-544-2110,
Employees: 4
