Five Questions with Christopher Sterle

LAS VEGAS—Founder and CEO of Acoustic Design Systems, Christopher Sterle, started skateboarding at 40. Daring, huh? We think so! Learn more about his family, how he got started in the industry, his favorite books and more.

ARE YOU MARRIED? ANY KIDS? ANY PETS?
I am in a long-term, happily committed relationship of 14 years. I have a daughter, 19, and my partner has a son, almost 20. We have two dogs who have become our new kids and serve as unofficial company mascots by hanging out in the office with us, Frenchtons named Luna-tic and Leroy, and they bring us a lot of joy.

WHAT’S SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT YOUR COWORKERS MAY NOT KNOW?
I think my coworkers would be shocked to know that I started skateboarding at 40 years old. Funny part is, I think they know now because I am currently on crutches with a broken ankle from a skateboarding mishap.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY TO ENSURE IT IS SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE?
Plan for it the day before. I don’t feel like you start “today” to ensure its successful, but instead, end yesterday in a way that makes “today” successful. If you are only working on “today,” you will never get ahead.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?
I have been in the electronics industry since high school, but mainly in the audio/video and home theater space. I started Acoustic Design Systems in 2003, and constantly received security services requests to compliment our AV offerings. We decided to shift our focus, and as we started to grow, we created a standalone division within ADS for residential and commercial security services.

WHAT PODCAST, MOVIE OR BOOK WOULD YOUR RECOMMEND TO OTHERS AND WHY?
I recommend “The E Myth” by Michael E. Gerber. It talks about the separation of jobs needed in any company, showcasing how all positions in a company are vital and need to be respected. I also recommend “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. It teaches how to deal with money and speaks directly to the myth that getting a job, saving money, getting out of debt and planning for retirement does not work as advertised.