The Soundworks Story: From One-Man Shop to Industry Standout

Aug 1, 2025

At Soundworks, our mission is simple: help people fall in love with their cars all over again. From custom audio systems that make the pavement tremble to ceramic tint that keeps every drive cool, clean, and comfortable – every project is built with care, craftsmanship, and plenty of passion.

Like many great shops, we started small. And while we’re proud to remain a local, independently owned business, we’ve grown far beyond our early days – with big visions for the road ahead. Our team brings decades of combined experience, and we never stop learning, innovating, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

With the launch of our brand-new monthly newsletter (click below to subscribe!), we wanted to share the story of Soundworks – where we came from, and where we’re headed next. 

First, There was Elite Auto Image

Before Soundworks, there was Elite Auto Image – A tiny, single suite shop started from scratch by passionate and fresh-faced Mike in 2006, Elite quickly became a local staple for high-quality tinting and vehicle customization. The shop ran strong for 11 years, earning a solid reputation for clean installs and honest service. But despite garnering a loyal clientele, things started to shift. Great techs became harder to find. The shop was understaffed, the workload was mounting, and Mike was running out of options.

Eventually, he faced a painful possibility: closing the doors on everything he’d built from the ground up.

But Mike was determined. Before letting his dream go, he decided to reach out – and that decision changed everything.

Elite’s original storefront and logo

A New Chapter

Mike called Colin, a skilled veteran in the industry who had once worked for him. He explained the situation – the challenges, the vision, the potential – and made him an offer: to come on board as a partner and help rebuild the shop.

Colin, newly married and expecting his first child, was apprehensive at first. After all, there was a lot of risk involved in business ownership – especially during such a crucial phase of life. But there was also the potential for great reward. After a lot of consideration, Colin agreed under one condition: He wanted to extend the offer to Jeff.

Jeff was a longtime colleague and friend with a serious reputation – a sales powerhouse with deep product knowledge, years of experience in customer service, and a passion for helping every client walk away with the system of their dreams. Colin knew that Jeff’s experience was invaluable, and he could help bring the shop to another level. 

Mike wasn’t showing up alone either. He brought along Lee, his trusted film expert with decades of experience in window tinting, paint protection film (PPF), and vinyl wrapping. Lee had worked alongside Mike for years, mastering clean installs and earning trust from clients.Fortunately, everyone was on board and excited for the new venture. After months of collaboration, planning, and remodeling, the doors to Soundworks were opened on November 1, 2017. Each partner brought their own deep roots in the car audio and customization world, and their personal strengths have evolved Soundworks into something new while still respecting the legacy it was built on.

Soundworks Storefront when opened in 2017

Soundworks Family - Christmas 2017
Soundworks Family – Christmas 2017
Left to right: Colin and wife Jessica, Jeff and wife Natalie, Mike and wife Jenn, Lee

The Evolution of Soundworks

Today, Soundworks operates out of a sprawling, four-suite storefront – complete with multiple install bays, an enclosed woodshop, and a newly designed customer lounge with an interactive product display so clients can see and hear the equipment before having it installed. 

But like most small businesses, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. The Soundworks team has weathered more than just busy install seasons. Like many in the automotive world, they faced a mandatory closure during the pandemic, forcing the team to step back and refocus.

Instead of slowing down, they invested forward – doubling down on the shop’s custom capabilities.

They started with a laser machine, learned the software, and began creating custom fabrication panels, branded overlays, and precision-cut sub enclosures. That opened the door for the next major leap: 3D printing, which took their fabrication to a whole new level.

Fortunately, when they reopened, their clients were ready. They hit the ground running, and haven’t slowed down. From amp racks to speaker bezels to one-of-a-kind interior trim pieces, Soundworks now offers custom solutions you won’t find anywhere else in the region.And if you take 97 on your commute, you’ve probably noticed another upgrade: the LED sign lighting up the highway. It’s a bold, bright reflection of everything Soundworks stands for – loud, proud, and always evolving!

Soundworks Storefront and Client Lounge in 2025

Mike, Jeff, & Colin days before opening Soundworks doors in 2017

Meet the Owners

Mike brings years of hands-on experience in both running the business and getting behind the dash. He is a true jack-of-all-trades – from shop operations and management, to fabrication and custom electronics, to basic radio installs, to tint and vinyl. He is also the resident boat expert and has been heading each marine job from start to finish. 

Jeff’s knowledge of sales, customer service, and the best quality products helped build a strong foundation for the transition and beyond. He knew what his customers expected and was committed to raising the bar even higher.

Colin leads custom design and is the shop’s go-to problem solver. A natural perfectionist with an obsessive ear for tuning and detail, he’s the one the others call when the install gets tricky – or the technology doesn’t cooperate.

Together, they took everything Elite was known for and added new energy, new skills, and a shared vision: to build a shop that offers an experience unlike that of any other. Their vast experience and passion truly made Soundworks a one-stop shop for quality and consistency.

Looking Ahead: The Vision for Soundworks

We’re proud of how far Soundworks has come, but we’re even more excited about where we’re going.

In the years ahead, we hope to expand beyond our original location – bringing the Soundworks experience to new communities with the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer care that built our name.

We also see a future where our custom designs don’t just live in our shop, but in shops around the world. From precision-cut laser panels to one-of-a-kind 3D-printed audio and trim components, we’re working toward developing a line of Soundworks parts that other installers can use to elevate their own work.

It’s about more than just growth – it’s about sharing what we love, raising the standard in our industry, and helping the next generation of builders create something they’re proud of.

Whether you’ve been with us since the Elite days or just found us, we’re grateful you’re part of the journey!

Built for People Who Know What They Want

At Soundworks, we specialize in:

We’ve worked on everything from lifted trucks and hot rods to full-blown competition cars. If it has wheels, we’ve probably made it louder, cleaner, or cooler in some way.

Our Promise: Honesty and Excellence

We take pride in every job – and that means no rushed installs, no film cut on your car, and no off-brand shortcuts. Every system is hand-tuned. Every install is double-checked. Every tint job is backed by our guarantee.

Our team brings over 100 years of combined experience, multiple certifications, and a few trophies. But we’re still learning, still improving, and still obsessed with making every car that leaves our bay something to be proud of.

We’ve come a long way from that single suite. And we’re just getting started.

Come See the Shop

Soundworks storefront 2025

We’d love to meet you! You can check out our Meet the Team page to see the faces behind the installs – or stop by the shop to see what we’re working on.

If you’re ready to discuss your next project, contact us today!

Welcome to Soundworks – where loud lives, and custom comes standard. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Talk with one of our experienced technicians about your project.