Kristin Bidwell’s, the CEO of Audiovisual Consulting Team (AVCT), entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and thoughtful leadership. Her humble beginnings rooted in creativity and music led to a thriving consulting firm – working with architects and owners to provide commercial audiovisual and acoustic consulting services, including sound masking. Her story offers valuable insights into building a business driven by values, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
Entrepreneurial Spirit from Day One
Kristin’s path to entrepreneurship was not a sudden leap but a natural extension of a lifelong passion for building things and leadership. Her early ventures gave her invaluable lessons about running a business, marketing, and connecting with customers. With a dual-bachelor’s degree in music business/management and music production and engineering, Kristin honed her skills not only through formal education but also by immersing herself in books on business strategy and audiovisual technology, and acoustics.
“I’ve been obsessed with business my whole life,” she said. “If you see my library, it’s full of geeky audio stuff and business books. That’s all I read.”
This relentless curiosity and passion laid the groundwork for her success as a business leader.
The Bold Move to Independence
Despite having years of experience in consulting, Kristin’s decision to start her own firm was not without challenges. When her previous employer, DGI / ACT Associates chose to shift its business model, Kristin was presented with the opportunity to build a new business and took action.
Recognizing this as a pivotal moment, Kristin leveraged her experience, restructured processes, and built a strong foundation for the new company. Her unwavering focus on leadership and transparency played a key role in her success. Before making the split, Kristin invited her team to dinner to share the news and gauge their interest in joining her on this new journey. “I told them they had options. They could stay at DGI, join another firm, or join me to build a new consulting firm together,” she recalled. “Everyone said yes, and that just fueled my fire to make it work.It took my entire team to make the new venture work, and I am grateful for my team’s trust and enthusiastic efforts to build a great company.”
The Importance of Mentorship and Support
Kristin emphasized that the journey to entrepreneurship is made easier with a strong network of mentors and peers. “I have close friends who are consulting and integration firm owners,” she said. “They gave me invaluable advice whether it was about getting insurance, finding medical benefits, and setting up a 401(k). I also know entrepreneurs outside of our industry that provided strategic business and investment advice.“
She also learned to protect her mindset by avoiding negativity. “I blocked out anyone who might say, ‘This is risky.’ I knew it was risky, I didn’t need to hear it.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kristin’s advice is clear: “You have to be completely obsessed with your business. If you’re not all in, don’t do it, because you’ll fail. You have to be two feet in.“
Leading with Values and Purpose
One of Kristin’s most striking qualities as a leader is her commitment to creating a positive work environment. Drawing from her own experiences working at both supportive and challenging firms, she built a company that prioritizes employee well-being.
“I’ve worked for small consulting firms before, some had great benefits, and others made excuses like, ‘We’re too small to afford that.’ But you can afford it,” she insisted. “I’ll skip a steak dinner if it means my team gets the benefits they deserve.”
Kristin implemented a benefits match program, offered better retirement plans, and ensured her employees had access to quality medical coverage. “I wanted everyone to feel comfortable and to be taken care of” she explained.
Her approach reflects a thoughtful blend of past lessons and a vision for a better workplace. “I’ve kind of pulled the good stuff,” she said. “To really try to make it a great experience for my team.”
Simplifying Processes for Success
Beyond benefits, Kristin’s leadership style focuses on streamlining operations. “We have reduced the number of applications required to complete tasks and keep our processes simple and keep our processes simple,” she shared. “If something isn’t working, we change it that day.”
This adaptability and focus on efficiency have empowered her team to thrive. “The AVCT processes make it very easy for everyone to enjoy their job and be successful,” she said.
Final Thoughts
Kristin’s journey is a powerful reminder that thoughtful leadership, dedication to employee well-being, and an authentic passion for your field are the keys to building a thriving business.
Her advice to future entrepreneurs is simple but profound: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Block out negativity. Be all in, and most importantly genuinely care about your team and the services you provide to clients.
As the industry continues to evolve, businesses like AVCT are leading the way in adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and 3D renderings, and new advancements in sound masking. Learn more about how AVCT’s consulting services and Lencore’s sound masking solutions are shaping the future of the AV industry.
Kristin’s story is not just one of success but of purpose-driven leadership that prioritizes people, passion, and progress.