After serving the community of Vernon for many years, Carl St Jean has taken the leap and opened his own shop, HiFi House of Sound. From live events, personal demos and various trade shows, HiFi House of Sound promises to give you an experience like no other. We took some time recently to sit down and find out a bit more about Carl, his new business, and his motivation. Here is what he had to say:
When did you start your business?
We officially launched HiFi House of Sound on September 30th, 2024.
How did you come up with the name of your company?
The name “HiFi House of Sound” reflects the evolution of our journey. I started by hosting live shows and concerts in my house 15 years ago. Also, being a lifelong audiophile, I knew music and audio would be at the heart of everything we do. I brought in Dailene, a talented musician and a visionary leader, to help shape the business. She came up with the name, perfectly capturing our essence: we operate out of a house where we create music and curate live experiences, and facilitate live house concerts while also selling high-quality audio equipment.
What made you choose to start a company in this industry?
I chose to start HiFi House of Sound because of my deep passion for music and high-quality sound. As an audiophile, I’ve always appreciated the way exceptional sound can elevate a live performance and make me feel like I’m engaged in the live performance, creating an unforgettable experience. I saw a unique opportunity to combine that love of music with a venue that prioritizes thoughtfully curated listening rooms, to bring audio excellence to life.—something I felt was missing in many traditional audio stores.
The idea of creating a space where music lovers, artists, and audiophiles could connect over shared experiences really drove me to pursue this venture. Starting a business in this industry was a natural choice because it aligned with my expertise, passion, and desire to bring something special to the community. It’s about building something that not only resonates with me but also creates meaningful experiences for others.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
At the start of HiFi House of Sound, our mission was to create a unique in-home space where music lovers could come together to experience live performances and enjoy curated and immersive audio experiences in an intimate setting. Our goal was to build a community around music, offering not just concerts and audio equipment, but memorable experiences that blend the warmth of live music with a personal, audiophile-driven approach.
What are your company’s goals?
‘Music is the Heartbeat of Audio’
At HiFi House of Sound, our goals are focused on growth, community, and creating unparalleled experiences. Here are our key objectives:
- Expand Our Event Offerings: We aim to host more frequent and diverse live music events, from intimate house concerts to larger gatherings that cater to different music genres and audiences.
- Enhance the Audiophile Experience: We want to continuously improve our sound quality and acoustics, investing in cutting-edge audio equipment to create the ultimate listening environment for both performers and audiences.
- Build a Strong Community: Our goal is to foster a community of music lovers, artists, and audiophiles who share our passion for high-quality sound and live performances. We plan to do this through partnerships with local artists, music schools, and audio enthusiasts.
- Create a Destination Venue: We want HiFi House of Sound to become a go-to destination for music lovers in the Okanagan and beyond, known for our unique blend of intimate atmosphere and exceptional sound.
- Sustainability and Growth: Over time, we plan to grow the business by expanding into more services, such as hosting workshops, audiophile equipment showcases, and potentially offering recording sessions for artists.
- Support Local Talent: A key goal is to provide a platform for emerging local musicians, giving them a space to perform and connect with audiences, helping to nurture the local music scene.
How does your business compare to competitors in the market?
HiFi House of Sound stands out from competitors by offering a unique blend of intimate, high-quality live music experiences with a strong focus on exceptional sound. The equipment is a byproduct of the music. We prioritize music sound quality and reproduction, as music is the heartbeat of audio!
Our boutique home store offers a personalized, high-fidelity music experience in a setting that encourages a deep appreciation for both sound and artistry, something that sets us apart from larger, more commercialized venues in the area.
Another thing that differentiates us from other competitors is our collaboration with various professional services to enhance our operations and customer offerings. These include partnerships with local interior design teams, custom cabinetry specialists, installation experts, and renovation teams, ensuring seamless project execution and high-quality results.
How would you describe your company’s success so far?
Our success so far has been both exciting and rewarding. We’ve built a strong foundation by blending live music experiences with high-quality audio equipment sales, resonating with both music lovers and audiophiles. The community’s positive response and engagement at our shows and attendance at trade shows have fueled our growth, and we’ve formed valuable partnerships along the way. While we are proud of what we’ve achieved, we view this as just the beginning, with even more opportunities to expand, innovate, and deepen our impact.
Does your business give back to your community?
Yes, giving back to our community is very important to us. For our live shows, we encourage guests to bring items for the local food bank, and we actively participate in the local chamber of commerce. As we grow, we are committed to expanding our efforts and finding even more ways to make a positive impact within our community.