The Flywheel Effect

The Flywheel Effect captures the energy and insight of CEDIA Expo 2024, exploring the evolving landscape of smart home integration. Hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath chat with industry leaders and gather diverse perspectives on the show floor. Alex, CEO of Josh.ai, shares the excitement surrounding his company's AI-driven control platform. Bill Skaer, CEO, Bill Skaer Home Theater an...

In this episode of The FlyWheel Effect, host Brent Sonnek-Schmelz chats with Joseph Kolchinsky, the founder and CEO of OneVision Resources. Joey discusses how OneVision streamlines service operations for smart home installers, drawing from his extensive experience in IT services for high-net-worth families.  He shares how his initial business of tech support led to the realization that there was a...

In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz sits down with Patrick Martinez, CEO of Fivestone Solutions. Patrick shares insights on transforming sales processes for small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those led by subject matter experts. Patrick discusses the importance of tailoring sales roles to team strengths. He breaks down the sales process into five key stages: a...

In this episode of "The FlyWheel Effect," Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath discuss the crucial elements of building a high-performance team culture. They dive into the transition from solopreneur to small business owner and the challenges of scaling a team. Matt shares his experiences, emphasizing that successful team building often stems from learning through failure and adapting l...

In this episode of The FlyWheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dive into the fascinating world of pricing psychology. They start by discussing the significant role that numerical digits play in pricing strategies. Matt highlights the impact of seemingly random prices, like $16,183 instead of $16,000, on consumer perception, explaining how such tactics can make a price seem mor...

In this episode of The FlyWheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath welcome Matthias Smith from Pioneer Capital Advisory, LLC. Matthias shares his journey from working in the SBA lending space to founding Pioneer Capital Advisory. He discusses the challenges and motivations behind starting his own firm and emphasizes the importance of hustle and dedication in growing his business t...

Join Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath in this episode of The Flywheel Effect as they dive into the world of accounting. They break down the differences between managerial and financial accounting, explaining how each serves distinct purposes in a business. Matt highlights that while financial accounting focuses on compliance and external reporting, managerial accounting is about driving inter...

In this episode of "The Flywheel Effect," hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath sit down with Jim Pearse, the CEO of ProSource. Jim discusses his journey from Ultimate Electronics to leading ProSource, sharing insights on how integrators can grow their businesses. He emphasizes the complexity and technological advancements in the home integration industry, highlighting ProSource&ap...

In this episode of The FlyWheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath welcome Paul Starkey, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of PrepTech and Fenco. Paul discusses his innovative approaches to technical recruitment and training, emphasizing the unique challenges in sourcing and developing talent in the custom integration industry. Paul outlines the strategies behind PrepTech, desig...

In this episode of the Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dive into the pressing economic challenges facing luxury home service providers. They discuss the critical need for sound business fundamentals amidst rising inflation and labor costs, highlighting real-world cases of companies grappling with financial instability. The conversation underscores the importance of mai...

In the first episode of Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dive into Lightapalooza, a pivotal event for the custom lighting industry. They explore its importance, focusing on the trade show's educational offerings. Brent and Matt discuss the evolving luxury home industry, emphasizing the shift towards more integrated and sophisticated home technology solutions, inclu...