Celebrating 25 Years of Connectivity: A Conversation with Kelly Jernigan

For over two decades, Kelly Jernigan, founder of Connectivity, has led her company through the changing landscape of technology services. From its beginnings in 1999 as a structured cabling company, Connectivity has expanded its offerings to include computer relocation, sound masking, security systems, and more. As the company marks its 25th anniversary, Kelly shares her journey of business growth, leadership, and overcoming challenges in an industry where women remain a minority.

How Connectivity Got Its Start

Kelly’s journey into structured cabling was unconventional. After managing her father’s recording studio, Reflection Sound Studio, for over 15 years, she decided to take a leap of faith and start a business of her own. With no prior experience in cabling or technology, she dove headfirst into the industry alongside her husband learning everything from scratch.

“I had no experience whatsoever in structured cabling or anything around that. I had to learn everything,” she recalled. Kelly’s hands-on approach—from overseeing projects to bidding on public contracts—played a crucial role in establishing Connectivity as a reputable service provider.

Expanding Services and Keeping Clients Happy

Connectivity’s success didn’t happen overnight. As Kelly worked on growing the business, she ensured that it stayed adaptable, adding services like security systems and sound masking. She emphasized how important it is to have a versatile team: “I love how diverse we are and how most of our techs have smart hands, so they can assist with technology set-up and trouble shooting.  Their knowledge goes far beyond installing cable, and the technicians appreciate the diverse knowledge that is offered through continued training and classes.”

One of the proudest achievements for Kelly has been retaining many of the company’s original clients. “We’ve maintained many of the same clients for 25 years, which is truly exciting to me. It shows that we’re providing the level of service I aspire to deliver.” 

Navigating Challenges in Business Ownership

When asked about the unique challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Kelly’s perspective was refreshingly positive. “I think it’s been better because I’m a woman,” she said. Kelly shared an experience when a man approached her during a site walkthrough and said, “I don’t know who trained you, but they did a really good job.” She viewed this not as an obstacle but as recognition of her expertise.

Kelly attributes her confidence to years of experience managing her father’s business and emphasizes that success in business isn’t about gender. “I don’t consider male or female. I just consider expertise.”

Building a Strong Team and Leading with Trust

Kelly’s leadership style is rooted in transparency, respect, and empowering her employees. With an open-book policy, she encourages everyone on her team to contribute ideas and take ownership of their roles. “One of my project managers, Bryan Thomas, he’s been with me for 19 years. “I believe he tells everyone who expresses interest in becoming a project manager, ‘Go find a project, and let’s manage it together.’”. 

She also shared her approach to hiring: “When I interview candidates, one of the key questions I ask is what they enjoy doing and if they have a passion for this industry. Some people take jobs just to have a paycheck.  For us to deliver the quality we pride ourselves on requires genuine commitment and a passion for our craft.”

Growing Through Word of Mouth

Remarkably, Connectivity has grown without a dedicated sales team. Kelly, the company’s only salesperson, built the business entirely through word of mouth and strong partnerships. “We’ve never had a salesperson… everything is word of mouth, positioning ourselves with the right companies to become true partners of that company has been crucial.”

Kelly also noted that technology and communication are essential for every business, which has allowed Connectivity to grow steadily through referrals. “Everybody needs what we have, because everybody has to communicate.”

The Importance of Mentorship

Kelly credits much of her business success to the support she’s received over the years, particularly from her long-time mentor, Todd Lovelace of Leviton. “Todd has been an incredible resource for me for 23 years. He’s been by my side the whole time and has truly been a partner, providing support in so many ways.”

Looking to the Future

As Connectivity moves into the future, Kelly is excited about new technologies, although her focus remains on honing the company’s craft and ensuring that her team continues to grow and learn. “We are embracing any new technologies, but it’s more about honing our craft and building our teams and making sure everybody is continually learning.”

Kelly also stressed the importance of safety, particularly in a field that has seen significant changes over the years. With most of her team OSHA certified, she ensures that safety remains a top priority for Connectivity’s operations. “The safety aspect presents a different set of challenges. However, we prioritize safety, and most of my team has OSHA 30 certifications, while the rest have OSHA 10.”

Balancing Work and Life

After 25 years of leading a successful business, Kelly is now finding more time for herself while still remaining available to her team. “When you manage a business, everything tends to overlap. Offering support to employees after hours is crucial. My team might reach out after 9 PM, and I could be on the phone as early as 4am.”

Although business often takes precedence, Kelly emphasized the importance of finding personal time, and how her team helps her manage that balance. “I am being able to get away and breathe a little bit more because my team is awesome… the Connectivity team.”

Whether it’s traveling abroad, playing games with loved ones or simply taking a moment to laugh, Kelly is finding ways to recharge and continue leading Connectivity with the same passion that started it all.