By BECKY GIST

Staff Writer

The recently opened Audio Empire, located at 211 West Railroad, was built by two Tech students in between classes and school work.

“We were mutual friends and put our ideas together to start Audio Empire”,” Dusty Ray, a senior business management and entrepreneurship major, said. “It was a spur of the moment idea.”

Ray and Kevin May, a senior finance major, are the owners of Audio Empire. May said they worked 60-80 hours a week preparing for their grand opening, which was only two months later.

May said the reasoning for open Audio Empire was that he felt they would provide better services than other businesses in town.

Audio Empire specializes in car audio and video. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We are very busy and have had many hectic days,” Ray said. “We work 60 hours a week and go to school full time. Both of us have still managed to be on the dean’s list.”

May said the classes he had taken at Tech helped him with learning how to open and run a new business.

James Cochran, assistant professor of marketing and analysis, said that Ray is a conscientious and hardworking student.

“I’m sure that Audio Empire will be very successful,” Cochran said.

“Students should keep their eyes open because entrepreneurship opportunities are everywhere,” Cochran said.

“They should keep in mind that their business education will help them take advantage of those opportunities.”

Audio Empire, which has only been open five weeks, has six employees, including Ray and May, who all attend Tech.

“We feel we can provide more service and a higher quality installation, all at a lower price over any of our competitors,” May said.

Ray said their future plans are to expand.

“We would like to expand anywhere really, especially in the Monroe/Shreveport area,” Ray said. “We just want people to know we are out here and that we provide quality service.”

Ryan Collie, a 19-year-old local resident, said he usually visits Audio Plus for all his car needs, but is searching for somewhere new to go, like Audio Empire.

“I didn’t know about Audio Empire, but if they are the best prices in town then I’ll be sure to start visiting them.”

Ray said the employees at Audio Empire are just plain “simple folks."

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