PO‘IPU — In 2010, William and Cynthia Vaughn got a surprise: They lost their jobs. “My wife and I had the misfortune of getting laid off from a local company here on Kaua’i where we had been working for a
PO‘IPU — In 2010, William and Cynthia Vaughn got a surprise: They lost their jobs.
“My wife and I had the misfortune of getting laid off from a local company here on Kaua’i where we had been working for a few years,” William Vaughn said.
So William, counting on his experience, pursued and got his contractor’s license in the state of Hawai’i.
Step one, done.
Next, they wanted to start their own business. Rather than turn to a bank, they cashed in their 401(k) and emptied their savings account. They put it all on the pass line and rolled the dice.
“Whatever money we had, we needed to get this business going,” he said. “I felt that it was time for me to branch out.”
It was a calculated gamble – that paid off.
In April 2011, the Vaughns formed Wave Electronic Solutions and Technology.
It provides video surveillance systems, security, access control, gate operators, intrusion detection systems, access control systems, phone wiring and a range of low voltage electronics.
Both William and Cynthia like its direction. Business is growing and their name is out there. He’s landed contracts with private homes, businesses and government agencies. They credit that to treating customers right, charging a fair price, and providing a valuable service. It helps that they’re longtime Westside residents, and William is a 1983 Waimea High School graduate.
“This was a way to connect with local residents and businesses of Hawai‘i,” he said. “We’re here to try to provide security solutions to the residents and businesses of Hawai‘i.”
It’s a two-person show for the Vaughns. William handles sales and installation. Cynthia manages paperwork and bookkeeping.
So, how do they get along as husband and wife, and co-business owners?
Cynthia chuckles about this one.
“It took some time to get used to working together, being with each other 24/7,” she said, smiling. “But I think things are going very well. I help him, whatever he needs, and he helps me.”
William nodded.
“We help each other to operate this business,” he said.
William said their 11-year marriage adds a dimension to their business relationship. They discuss moves, and plan carefully, before making decisions.
“It’s been wonderful,” he said.
Teamwork
The two met when they were working for an alarm company on O’ahu.
Cynthia was a dispatcher, William, a technician. Later, they settled on Kaua‘i.
Through the years, they’ve worked together, but this is their first time operating their own company.
“You have to give each other some space now and then,” William said. “But other than that, we’ve adjusted.”
He glances at his wife and smiles.
“She’s invaluable,” he said.
They’re running Wave out of their Lawa‘i home, but want to open an office as soon as it’s economically possible.
William believes there is enough building and buying on Kaua‘i that their business should continue to see strong sales.
The economy, once slow, is gaining steam, he believes.
“I see it changing,” he said.
His background has been a factor in its success.
William spent four years in the Air Force after graduating from high school. He lived in California for a time, where he was involved in developing a barcode scanning system. After a stint with Shell Oil, he went into the security field in the early ’90s.
He also worked as an electronic technician at the Pacific Missile Range, and with Oceanic Time Warner as a fiber optic technician.
All that, he notes, has given him a range of trouble-shooting and development skills — even what he needed to know about starting a business.
Wave works
There is a need for Wave.
People who invest time and money into property want to be sure it’s protected, William said. It’s about safeguarding assets, and Wave Electronics does that well.
“People are buying homes and they want to be able to protect what they have,” he said.
Home security, notes William, is considered a luxury by some. And there are inexpensive ways to guard what you own.
“They can go out and get a dog,” he said, laughing. “As long as they dog barks, it alerts you there’s someone in the yard.”
Others understand, says the Wave website, “you can’t sleep with one eye open or watch over everything 24/7. But we can.
“Some things can’t be replaced, and that’s why your most valuable possessions need protecting,” according to their Wave website. “When you’re asleep, when you’re at work, on vacation or just away for the weekend, your home, family and business are vulnerable.”
It’s a message they’re spreading to the masses. They’re networking, advertising, promoting.
“I just want to make sure the residents know that I’m here on Kaua‘i,” he said.
And beyond.
They recently returned from the International Security West Conference in Las Vegas, where they met with others in their field, and highlighted their talents, too. It gave them national exposure.
“What a great accomplishment for a small local company on Kaua‘i,” Cynthia said.
It was, said William, another chance to grow the company, and it went well.
“I was ecstatic,” he said.
William’s game plan, as always, is based on giving his best.
“Hopefully, I can provide customers with a service they need,” he said.
Worth the chance
They readily admit it was scary, at first. Failure, they said, could have left them homeless.
“We had no other source of income, at that point,” he said.
“I had to commit to doing the business and doing the best I could, not only for my family but for the business itself.”
Both are glad they took the chance to go out on their own when they did.
“We made sure we’re comfortable with every step and every decision we make,” he said.
He and Cynthia don’t want the spotlight entirely on them.
“I’ve been really fortunate and blessed with people who have trusted me and known me over the years as far as what kind of work that I’m doing,” he said.
Their goal, William says, “first and foremost is not to make a lot of money.”
“My main objective is to provide a service that basically protects property and life.”
For details, call 639-4446 or visit www.wave-est.com.
