Automation Unplugged Podcast

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**Automation Unplugged Podcast**

Since its launch on Facebook Live in 2017, Automation Unplugged has become the leading podcast for AV and custom integration professionals. Now pre-recorded and produced in both audio and video formats, episodes are released across our website, social media, and all major streaming platforms. Our content spans engaging interviews with industry leaders, in-depth discussions with One Firefly’s marketing experts, and insightful education on marketing & business growth strategies. From industry trends and business development to marketing, hiring, and beyond, Automation Unplugged delivers the knowledge and perspectives you need to stay ahead in the ever-evolving technology landscape.

Latest Episodes:

Automation Unplugged Episode #238 feat. Alesia Hendley, Multimedia Journalist and Content Creator Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Alesia Hendley;

Alesia’s upbringing and how she started her trajectory working sound boards at her father’s church
Her move to personal branding and her journey as an industry influencer
Why Pro AV industry is not well known and what the industry could be doing to recruit new talent

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au238

SHOW NOTES

Alesia is an AV professional that found her passion at a young age as a sound engineer with her Father’s church. In the early stages of the church’s foundation they couldn’t afford musicians. By utilizing different audiovisual technologies she and her Father found creative ways to go higher both musically and spiritually, taking the congregation with them. Now you can find her operating/installing audiovisual systems or executing creative ventures. As a young professional she’s finding ways to bring AV, creatives, and creative visions together in the effort to leave her mark by making an impact, and not just an impression.

Ron Callis is the CEO of One Firefly, LLC, a digital marketing agency based out of South Florida and creator of Automation Unplugged. Founded in 2007, One Firefly has quickly become the leading marketing firm specializing in integrated technology and security. The One Firefly team works hard to create innovative solutions to help Integrators boost their online presence, such as the elite website solution Mercury Pro.

About One Firefly

One Firefly, LLC is an award-winning marketing agency that caters to technology professionals in the custom integration, security and solar energy markets. One Firefly is headquartered in Davie, Florida with staff located throughout North America and has been operating since 2007.

Automation Unplugged Episode #237 feat. Will Gilbert and Greg Michelier, Co-Founders at Bodhi Software Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Will Gilbert and Greg Michelier;

Will and Greg’s background and what led them to founding Think Simple and Bodhi.
Bodhi Software as an IOT Solution
How they go to market with Bodhi

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au237

SHOW NOTES

Greg and Will along with their 3rd partner Rock co-founded Think Simple in 2001 a company that started out in software and hardware design, and ultimately turned into one of the largest residential home automation and AV integration companies serving The Bahamas, Florida and New York with over 100 employees, many of which have been there for 15+ years.

Building on their integration experience and software background, the co-founders embarked on their next journey, Bodhi. Bodhi is a software as a service IoT platform that brings together low cost Bodhi thermostats, sensors and other hardware items, along with the capability of communicating directly on enterprise control systems such as Crestron and Lutron. The software has been specified all around the world, with a primary focus of use in Hospitality, MDU, and mixed use properties. Bodhi markets to a professional dealer network and brings a recurring revenue stream to their businesses.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #236 feat. Koa Wagner, CEO at Blueprint Hawaii Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Koa Wagner;

Koa’s career trajectory and how he originally founded Blueprint
The Great Recession and how diversification helped Koa keep his business open during those challenging years
Recent changes to the business, including: his wife joining the business, bringing on an EOS consultant and making a pivot into lighting

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au236

SHOW NOTES

In February 2004, Koa founded Blueprint Hawaii after making a move to Hawaii from Southern California.

Blueprint Hawaii has grown from its early days of single family projects in Honolulu to a healthy mix of residential, hospitality and commercial projects on all major Hawaiian islands running. Today the Blueprint team is composed of 22 talented team members.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #235 feat. Darrin Medley, COO at HI Solutions Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Darrin Medley;

Growing up as the child of Bill Medley, the famous singer known for many famous songs including Unchained Melody.
The Hi Solutions Differentiator - The HIWAY - An autonomous Home Process Culture
How HI Solutions is scaling culture through public acquisitions.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au235

SHOW NOTES

Darrin joined HI Solutions as its Chief Operating Officer in 2021 after the acquisition of Unify Smart Home, a California home automation company he co-founded in 2017. Unify, a division of Medley Communications, has developed and commercialized an innovative home automation platform that has shifted the paradigm for smart home automation and has become recognized as an industry leader. Darrin launched his career in the telecommunications industry in 1987 with responsibility for developing a broadband installation department. Darrin ultimately grew Medley Communications, into a national installation partner in the Cable TV Industry with offices spanning the United States with more than 250 employees.

As Chief Operating Officer at HI Solutions, Darrin is focused on developing and implementing repeatable business and operating processes to enable HI Solutions to efficiently integrate and profitably scale its business as it executes an aggressive acquisition rollup program across the United States.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #234 feat. Morné Smit, Founder & CEO at Emerse and Oliver Tuffney, Engagement Director at Emerse Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Morné Smit and Oliver Tuffney ;

The importance of creating a winning sales culture and building sales processes that get results
Why B2B companies need a playbook to scale
The types of companies that are likely a good fit for Emerse Consulting

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au234

SHOW NOTES

Morné has spent his life elevating respect for sales professionals in dozens of companies across 28+ industries on 3 continents. Early in his career, Morné left South Africa for the center of European finances, London, England, where he immediately excelled as an A-player salesperson. During this time, Morné racked up consistent sales management and entrepreneurial successes in technology, telecommunications, and real estate until founding Emerse in 2017.

Oliver studied Entrepreneurship and Marketing in Manchester, UK. After graduating he worked on various international Sales & Marketing programmes in countries such as China and Kenya before returning to the UK on a prestigious Commercial Graduate scheme in the world of CPG. He later joined Emerse Sales as the first employee and helped build the company from the ground up, with a specialism in building Products which solve common problems in the world of sales such as sales hiring, sales process and proposition.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #233 feat. Nick DeClemente, Founder & CEO at Elevated Integration Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Nick DeClemente;

Managing the holiday season crunch.
one-app control solution vs a multi-app approach
Bringing on consultants
How to close big deals
Company Culture

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au233

SHOW NOTES

Nick is a 20-year Industry Veteran. He started in CI in 2001 while studying Fine Arts in College. Nick pioneered CI in the MDU market for seven years with Concierge Direct. Afterward, in 2012, Nick started Elevated Integration.

Elevated has always been focused on high performance, high reliability, and a high level of service. Company culture and training investments in their team are paramount in achieving those goals.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #232 feat. Bryan Mills, President at Mills Technologies Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Bryan Mills;

Bryan’s journey from mechanical engineering to running the 3rd generation family business.
A fun story about Bryan redesigning the Tapcon Screw.
Bryan’s diversification in the business during the Great Recession in 2009
Mills Technologies and how EOS has been implemented to the company’s culture.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au232

SHOW NOTES

Bryan represents the third generation of the Mills family involved in the consumer and commercial technology industries.

He started his career in product design, focusing on the integration of form and function in everyday items. After product design, Bryan moved into management and operations in a Fortune 500 company, working on projects varying from the commercialization of hybrid vehicle platforms to strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions. Looking for an opportunity to leverage his technical background and small business operations skills, Bryan joined Mills in 2009 to take over as president of the family business.

At Mills, Bryan has focused on system standardization to provide exceptionally reliable and intuitive solutions for clients, and over the past 7 years has doubled the size of the company. Bryan is a past recipient of a “Profile of Excellence Award” by CEPro Magazine.

Bryan has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University with a concentration in Design and is also a certified CEDIA Registered Outreach Instructor.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #231: A Lightapalooza Special Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tom Doherty, Michael Libman and David Warfel;

The history behind Lightapalooza
Event logistics including vendors, attendees and trainings offered
The growing importance of lighting in the custom integration industry

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au231

SHOW NOTES

Lightapalooza 2023 is the 2nd Annual Lighting Conference exclusively for the Custom Integration Industry. This special show will include Lighting Fundamentals Training, Lighting Design Workshops, Expert Panel Discussions and Manufacturer Training Sessions.

It will also provide a unique opportunity for the top Custom Integrators and Lighting segment manufacturers to gather and engage over three days with the subject and conversations strictly around the emerging lighting category. Lightapalooza will provide the perfect launch for your company's success and growth in the lighting category in 2023.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #230 feat. Sarah Dresher, Owner and Director of Business Development at Luxury Integrated Technologies Dec 17, 2022

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Sarah Dresher;

Sarah’s journey leading up to her becoming an entrepreneur
Ageism vs Sexism in the AV industry
Sarah’s perspective on the role of reps vs a direct sales force in the CEDIA space

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au230

SHOW NOTES

Sarah Dresher founded Luxury Integrated Technologies, in early 2022, as a service and consulting agency for the southeast, representing best-in-category brands. Upon completing her electrical engineering degree in 2016 and later earning a MBA from Rutgers Business School, she worked for Lutron and Sonnen.

Sarah also gained experience working directly for a Lutron rep agency in the Carolinas, prior to taking the plunge and founding Luxury Integrated Technologies.

About One Firefly

Automation Unplugged Episode #229 feat. Dan Ferrisi, Editor-In-Chief at Commercial Integrator Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Dan Ferrisi;

Dan´s background in AV journalism and his trajectory that led him to being Editor-In-Chief at Commercial Integrator
The differences between residential and commercial integrators
Dan’s input on strategies and actions for integration businesses to be able to face supply chain challenges

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au229

SHOW NOTES

Dan is a veteran technology journalist who has been covering commercial AV technologies, applications, trends and business practices since 2004. He started his career at Sound & Communications where he eventually rose through the editorial ranks and became editor in 2017.

In November 2021, Dan joined Commercial Integrator, the first publication dedicated to address the business needs of professional integrators. At Commercial Integrator, he assumed the role of editor-in-chief. His passion lies in helping integrators run their businesses better by informing them of emerging opportunities, strategic pivots and the need to continually evolve.

About One Firefly

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