Clarksburg Chronicles

Audio Visual Concepts, a longtime local business fixture in the Glen Elk district since 1985, providing innovative and high-quality audio and video solutions to customers across the region.

Founded by local resident and business owner John Brunett, Audio Visual Concepts (AVC) specializes in the professional sales and service of home and car audio/video systems. From custom car audio and auto security to multi-room home audio, surround sound, and remote car starters, AVC offers a wide range of tailored solutions.

Known for its installation expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction, AVC delivers high-performance systems built around each customer’s lifestyle. Whether upgrading a vehicle or transforming a home entertainment setup, AVC combines cutting-edge technology with decades of trusted experience.

Brunett said his passion for the industry began early in life.
“I always had a passion for audio and electronics ever since I was a child,” he said.
He credits much of AVC’s longevity to the ongoing support of the Clarksburg community.

“It’s always great to do work for local friends and family, so that’s always meant a lot—that they have the confidence and the trust in me and my guys,” Brunett said.

Brunett works closely with two key team members: inside sales manager Jonathan Sherman and lead installation manager Tony Audia.

“Jonathan Sherman does a great job with inside sales—asking and answering questions for what you need, qualifying what is best for what you’re asking for,” he said. “Then he passes it on to myself or my lead installation manager, Tony Audia, who has been with me for many years now and is very much a perfectionist at what he does… We take a lot of pride in our customer base, and we treat everything as if it were our house, our car, or our job site. Wherever we’re working, we treat it as if it’s ours. And we take a lot of pride in that.”

Brunett said the shop’s commitment to quality and customer focus sets it apart from others in the industry.

“Nobody specializes or caters to their customers like the three of us do. We want everything to be easy to operate, unique to your particular application, and to your particular personality of what you want,” he said.

“You’re not just about the sale of a box. It’s about making what you purchase work properly—from the technical aspect all the way to the installation, to the final quality and appearance of how it looks in your home, car, or office.”
Like many small businesses, AVC has weathered its share of challenges.

“Well, the economic environment has definitely changed. On the automotive side, cars have evolved. They’re more advanced than they used to be, so you need a true specialist to do what we do—and that’s what we are,” Brunett said. “Houses have gotten bigger, and we offer a lot of smart home products and technology now that weren’t available when we first started.”

Brunett said his decision to remain in Glen Elk was a personal one, rooted in family legacy.

“The environment’s been tough. I chose to be in Glen Elk because my family had another business in Glen Elk that was started originally in 1914,” he said. “So I had roots in the Glen Elk area of Clarksburg, based on family, and I chose to make a go of it in Glen Elk and the Clarksburg area. I never chose to jump ship to strip malls or anything else. I stayed right where I planted my original roots, and I feel I made a successful go at it being where I’m at.”

“I had to draw customers to me, because Glen Elk was not a retail location. So I was more of a destination location. When you came to me, you had an idea of what you wanted, and then we qualified you and helped you pick the right product for your personal needs.”
Brunett emphasized that the success of AVC wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of his small but trusted team.

“I value them highly because we all work closely together. They’re not just employees—they’re friends and family to me now. They’ve been with me for years,” he said. “I feel that they treat the store as if it’s theirs, and I give them the opportunity to be a very big part of it—as if it’s theirs. We all work together on the same goal, and that’s to continue growth and success.”

For those looking to start a business of their own, Brunett offered this advice:

“I would say perseverance, hard work, and dedication are the most important. A good staff that you can trust and lean on. And offer good quality services—because that’s what it all comes down to: your service. Your service is your reputation,” he said.

“Anybody can sell you a box. You can go to a large chain store and buy a box that may have a similar product in it. But why is my product better than the big box store’s product?”

“We give you the knowledge to know why you’re buying a better product—how it works, and how to use it. So I think those are very important things. Customer service—a lot of businesses nowadays have lost customer service. And we thrive on customer service.

“I have customers call myself, Tony, and Jonathan throughout… I’d say all hours of the day, which pretty much sums it up. We had a customer call us yesterday as we were returning from a job site at 6 p.m.—an hour past our closing time—and we were able to remotely fix their unit, solve their problem, and get them back up and running. And that’s the reason this particular customer bought from us: because of our customer service and our ability to help maneuver through an issue… Also don’t be afraid to explore more options and services that offer a sort of diversity from other businesses.”

Audio Visual Concepts is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on weekends. The store is located at 409 N. 4th St., Clarksburg, WV 26301.