Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Steele. He and his team shared their story with us below:
Kyle Steele’s journey to becoming the CEO of Global Wave Integration is a testament to his unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and passion for music. Starting his career as a drummer with dreams of pursuing music professionally, Kyle’s path took an unexpected turn when the need for a stable job led him to respond to a job post related to audio engineering. This decision marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation from musician to integrator.
Upon joining an emerging integrator in Manhattan Beach, Kyle embraced the challenge of building something from the ground up. As the company’s first employee, he collaborated with the owner, Jeff, despite lacking industry expertise, possessed a vision to establish a niche in the luxury market. Kyle was captivated by Jeff’s business acumen and the potential for long-term success, which fueled his dedication to the company’s growth while pursuing his musical passion.
The inception of Global Wave Integration stemmed from Kyle’s evolving journey within the integration industry. A pivotal moment came when Kyle encountered a neighbor seeking advice on an alarm company. This encounter led him to Security Alarm Specialist, where his expertise in low voltage systems flourished, culminating in the launch of their Crestron division. The mutual understanding between Kyle and the owner of Security Alarm Specialist paved the way for Global Wave Integration to emerge as a distinct entity while maintaining close ties with its sister company.
Kyle’s transition from a musician to an entrepreneur epitomizes his visionary outlook, adaptability, and keen eye for opportunities within the integration landscape. His transformative experiences, coupled with strong industry relationships, have been instrumental in shaping Global Wave Integration into a leader in the industry today.
Kyle shared, ‘My journey began with a deep-rooted passion for music that I discovered early on in my life. Growing up in Portland in a privileged environment, I was the only one in my family who was truly obsessed with music. This obsession led me to turn my drum set into a loudspeaker and engage in various science projects. My love for music was further solidified in high school when I formed a cover band and won the Battle of the Bands in Portland. This experience made me realize that music was my true calling, not basketball, which was another family interest given my father’s history as an NBA player for the Blazers.
I pursued this passion through college, where I was part of a new program called ELITE program for top engineering students at the University of Arizona. I focused on music and marketing, even renaming my band to Free Beer to attract more attention to our gigs. Despite my father’s successful basketball career, I chose to follow my own path in music over-engineering.
After college, my guitarist roommate and I moved to Portland, where we worked various jobs, formed a band, and met our future wives. Eventually, the band and I decided to take a leap of faith and move to L.A. to chase our musical dreams. We faced the typical struggles of aspiring musicians, including cramped living conditions and the need to find jobs to support ourselves. I found work in audio engineering, which wasn’t what I had expected but turned out to be a pivotal point in my career.
My audio/video career began somewhat by accident. After a chance encounter with a knowledgeable contractor, I started working for a security company, where I quickly moved up to lead their automation division. This experience was invaluable, teaching me the ropes of the business and allowing me to grow professionally.
In 2004, I founded Global Wave Integration, drawing on my technical skills and
entrepreneurial spirit. We started small, operating out of multiple storage units and an executive office, but over time, we’ve completed projects across the West Coast and the Middle East. Our focus has been on high-end residential and commercial-scale projects, particularly large estates. We’ve received accolades and many industry awards, such as:
2022 CTA Mark of Excellence Integrator of the Year – Finalist 2022 CTA Mark of Excellence Custom Home of the Year
2021 CEDIA Awards: Best Integrated Home, Best Dressed Rack, Best Lighting Solution 2021 CEDIA Awards: Integrated Home Global
2021 CEDIA Awards: Best Documentation, Technology Meets Design 2021 CE Pro Home of the Year Gold Award
2020 & 2021 Integrator of the Year – Barco Residential 2013-2023 Houzz.com Customer Satisfaction Award
2014 National Home of the Year – Electronic House Magazine (Bronze) 2014 Most Extreme Home Makeover
2013 Biggest, Baddest Home – Crestron 2013 CE Pro Magazine Rising Star
2012 CEDIA Best Technical Design – Home Theater 2012 CEDIA Best Technical Design – Hidden Theater 2012 Best Home Theater – Crestron
Featured in various publications:Architectural Digest Electronic House
CE Pro
Residential Systems
Connected Design
LA Design’
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of Global Wave Integration has been marked by a series of significant challenges that have tested Kyle Steele’s resolve and the company’s ability to adapt and thrive. Transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur was a pivotal moment that presented Kyle with the complexities of navigating entrepreneurship. Obtaining his contractor’s license amidst the challenges of the Great Recession added another layer of difficulty, underscoring the resilience required to establish and grow the business during a turbulent economic period.
As Global Wave Integration expanded, Kyle encountered the familiar hurdles of managing large-scale projects, ensuring top-tier service quality, and fostering a skilled team. Handling projects of significant magnitude, such as the intricate installation at a 70,000-square-foot house with nearly 300 shades and 90 audio zones, demanded a strategic shift in operations to accommodate such scale effectively.
The onset of the global pandemic posed unforeseen obstacles for Global Wave Integration, prompting Kyle and his team to navigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the design and integration industry. Embracing the challenge, they explored innovative products like tunable lighting and bolstered their workforce to showcase these offerings in their showroom. This adaptive approach underscored the company’s commitment to evolving in response to external pressures while remaining dedicated to maintaining the high standards of service excellence.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and opportunities, particularly in the wellness space. Global Wave Integration adapted by setting up a wellness showroom and focusing on how their work can contribute to people’s well-being in their living spaces. Despite the hardships, Global Wave Integration continued to grow and adapt, always keeping an eye on how they can serve their clients better and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the audio/video industry.
Throughout these adversities, Kyle’s unwavering ability to adapt and learn has been a guiding force for Global Wave Integration. His resilience in the face of diverse challenges, paired with a steadfast commitment to his team and the quality of their work, has been instrumental in propelling the company forward amidst turbulent times.
As you know, we’re big fans of Global Wave Integration. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Global Wave Integration excels in delivering exceptional audiovisual experiences through its specialization in high-end residential projects on a commercial scale. A standout aspect of their services is the creation of advanced home cinema experiences, including DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) rooms tailored for first-run movie screenings, which adhere to stringent performance standards established by leading organizations like Dolby. Their expertise shines through in complex installations, such as commissioning rooms with sophisticated setups like 60 Meyer Sound speakers, showcasing a commitment to technical excellence and precision. Recently, GWI installed the first-of-its-kind DCI-compliant Quantum LED video wall.
Beyond home cinema experiences, Global Wave Integration offers an array of services, such as lighting design and wellness technology solutions. A key advancement for the company has been the consolidation of their operations into a centralized building, streamlining their operations and enhancing efficiency compared to disparate storage units and offices.
Global Wave Integration stands out for its dedication to crafting intelligent and customized spaces that cater to diverse needs, ranging from family entertainment hubs to remote work environments and immersive theater setups. Their comprehensive solutions encompass custom lighting, sound systems, audio/visual setups, security features, and more. By seamlessly integrating smart technologies into indoor and outdoor living spaces, Global Wave Integration ensures a cohesive and tailored experience for its clients.
With a team of top technology designers at the helm, Global Wave Integration collaborates closely with clients throughout the entire process, from initial planning to
final installation, to deliver a flawless and personalized experience. Their commitment to excellence, technical prowess, and innovative solutions positions Global Wave Integration as a leader in creating sophisticated and immersive integrated environments for discerning clientele.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
In addition to the remarkable work conducted by Global Wave Integration, it is worth shining a spotlight on their sister company, FutureCare Solutions Group, which has been at the forefront of transforming senior care since its establishment in 2012.
Committed to empowering seniors with independence and enhancing the well-being of elderly individuals, FutureCare Solutions Group has embarked on a mission to revolutionize the senior care landscape by providing real-time health updates and innovative solutions for families.
Drawing on the expertise gained through technology ventures at Global Wave Integration, the team at FutureCare Solutions Group seamlessly transitioned into the realm of health and wellness technology. This transition led to the development of an AI Caregiver platform designed to revolutionize senior care monitoring and support.
The AI Caregiver platform leverages data from wearables and ambient sensors to track the activities of daily living for seniors residing in their homes or care facilities. This transformative technology offers caregivers round-the-clock monitoring capabilities,
enabling enhanced caregiving support and delivering invaluable peace of mind to families.
By harnessing the power of advanced technologies and innovative solutions, FutureCare Solutions Group epitomizes a commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors and their caregivers. Through their cutting-edge AI Caregiver platform, the company continues to drive positive change in the realm of senior care, exemplifying excellence, compassion, and forward-thinking in addressing the evolving needs of the aging population.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://globalwaveintegration.com/ and https://futurecare.ai/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-wave-integration-llc/about/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurecare-solutions-group-inc/about/
Image Credits
Tina Wunsch
