Len Wallis Audio Celebrates Forty Two Years in Business
Monday 29th May 1978. A date just 18 days later than this author's birth date was the start of a new beginning for Australian Hi-Fi. But this most certainly isn't about me. It's about the success of one man, the vision he had for his business, and the industry Len and his peers forged for us today.
While the next generation of this industry are cutting their teeth and making a living in the various channels of the market, we do so with thanks to our forefathers, the pioneers of the Australian industry.
This week celebrates the 42nd anniversary of the day the doors opened, for Len Wallis Audio. Just 28 years young, the humble and modest Len Wallis, armed with only a handful of hi -fi products and a grand dream unlocked the door to a small store in Lane Cove, Sydney.
Before this, Len had earned his stripes in the audio business as a salesperson working for several years for Sydney’s MS Audio and Allied Hi-Fi.
But like many underdogs with big plans, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Len recalls his new business was not without its detractors; one of Len’s first visitors to the store declaring that the company wouldn’t see out a year of operation.
How wrong could they be? Len’s acute ear and passion for great sounding music performances were supported by his equally insightful vision of the HiFi business and, importantly, future trends. This enabled Len to evolve the company in what was a rapidly changing market.
Len Wallis told StereoNET:
The success of the business over the years is a result of putting customers first and promoting a passion for great sounding systems. It would never have been achieved without the good fortune of having a succession of very talented and supportive staff.
As a result, Len Wallis Audio has earned an enviable reputation both at home and abroad for quality HiFi products, expert service and installation and has expanded well beyond Len’s original love for 2-channel HiFi.
In fact, some of those staff have been with Len for more than 25 years which speaks volumes of his dedication to his team and the culture of the business.
Today, in his role as Managing Director Len is very much embedded in all aspects of the company’s diverse operations, which now encompasses the day-to-day retail operations, multi-room customisation and Home Theatre, Smart Home Integration, equipment servicing and wholesale.
As Len has no desire to slow down just yet, us youngins can give thanks to Len and his peers who paved the way for us and we can only aspire to the success of Len Wallis Audio and relationships within the industry that have been carved out and refined over four decades.
For more information visit Len Wallis Audio.
Related: Len Wallis Honoured by his Peers
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Marc Rushton
StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After writing for print magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET in 1999.
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