When Steve Cheshire left the service, the Navy paid for him to go to college, where he got an Associates Degree in AV. He spent four years in broadcasting, then ended up at Kodak, where he worked hard, climbing his way up the ranks. For the first 10 years, he was at Kodak’s Elmgrove location, then he was promoted to the Communications Department. Steve had the distinction of working more overtime than anyone else in the company. Wherever and whenever they needed him, he was there.
He was handling production at a board meeting at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida when he first learned the disturbing news that Kodak would be selling off many assets and closing departments. He realized his time there was limited, so he immediately began making plans to start his own company.
“The last few years, after they hired a new CEO to dissolve the company, I knew the end was coming, but I wasn’t going to jump ship until they actually laid me off.”
Once the termination was finalized, he started Cheshire AV. He knew he’d made the right move because he landed $30K in business the first week, which would be equivalent to over $63,000 today.
To get his company started, he arranged a lease-to-purchase agreement of $3 million worth of equipment.
“I had tremendous connections, and I made sure we had the biggest, the baddest and the brightest equipment, so we’d outshine our competitors. We invested in the BARCO projectors first and held a press conference to show them off to the press. That really put us on the map.”
Steve talked about the evolution of his company saying, “Jamie was the first employee I hired, then Justin, and two years later, Garrett.”
Steve went on to express pride that the company he started 30 years ago has thrived, because the odds are very much against the success of family-owned businesses. He brought in a consultant to guide the company’s growth and help each son define his role within the company.
Steve’s philosophy has always been to provide quality service and support at a fair market price. He has always felt that sincerity and honesty are two of the most important factors in business, and those two attributes have been Cheshire’s cornerstones since the early days.
When asked about his favorite memories over the years, he proudly talks about the annual barbecue hosted at the company’s original location on Jay Street to benefit the Hillside Children’s Foundation.
“We’d buy 100 chickens and roast them in back of the warehouse at Jay Street. Sometimes, we even did a classic car show. Sixty percent would be former Kodak employees and 40% would be clients, some flying in from all over the country to get a taste of my brother Rodney’s famous vinegar-based chicken sauce.”
Rodney was Steve’s older brother who is a former Memphis in May BBQ Competition Champion.
He laughed as he shared, “The fire department would always show up…to get their chicken! It was a great day of celebration for the company.”
Another favorite memory is when he used to take the crew out deep-sea fishing, noting that whichever boat caught the most fish got all the beer the guys on the boat could drink.
As Steve reflects on having started Cheshire AV 30 years ago, he says, “I’m very proud of my sons. They’re going in the right direction for the future,” sharing that he still gets calls from his former customers singing their praise.
“I always say that I started this company by the ‘Grace of God.’ I took the chance that God gave me and ran with it.”
