TWT Audio 10-Year Anniversary Interview with Leadership: Mike

A decade of success! TWT Audio proudly celebrates ten years of innovation and growth in the audio industry. Our special series continues with another episode of the 10th Anniversary Interviews with Leadership, featuring an in-depth discussion with Mike, CEO of TWT Audio.


Discover his thoughts on leadership, emerging industry trends, and the key factors contributing to TWT Audio’s success. Let’s see what Mike has to share.

"I saw there was an opportunity to provide products that would benefit students in the classroom based on poor experiences with the quality of headphones and headsets while Technology Director in San Diego County. Having worked on several different projects that were entrepreneurial while an administrator in education, I actually had realized I had strong skills that were needed to run a startup company. "

"I learned some valuable skills while in different positions in education. From an organizational sense you learn about collaboration, hiring people and project management in both the public and private sectors. The motivation of a company is different than in the public sector. We are focused on building products that we sell into the market place which is a much different mindset. We have to think in terms of global outcomes and audience, which was much different than in education where it was very local."

3. What inspired you to bring your expertise in education technology to TWT, and how do you envision the company's future growth and impact under your leadership?

"I am someone that does not like to be doing the same thing everyday. I only was in the classroom as a teacher a few years before I transitioned to a role that had a wider view of the landscape. Being a tech director gave me the opportunity to work with many campuses and projects. The work I did impacted the entire organization and not just 30 students in the classroom. Prior to taking the position as a district technology director, I worked for a county office of education in California that had an even wider scope of support. TWT Audio has products in classrooms in every state in the country. A lot of our success has come from knowing first hand what the needs of students and teachers are. We really focus on problem-solving when we design our products. Knowing the key pain points was what inspired us to start a business that initially catered to education primarily. As we grow and widen our expertise in audio we have seen that we can take the same approach when developing products for the wider consumer market as well."

4. Can you share some recent projects or initiatives at TWT that you're particularly proud of and how they reflect your vision for the company's direction and impact?

 "Our most recent line of products was developed with the concept that headphones and headsets should be something that is not completely disposable. The Revo series is a modular headphone with replaceable parts so that the core product could be used for many years. We found that the parts of headphones that were impacted most by “wear and tear” were the ear pads and the cable. We designed a product line that both of those parts could be swapped out. This also serves to support changes in connectivity as well. For example, we had a customer that purchased 3.5 mm headsets from us a number of years ago and needed to update to USB shortly after. The solution back then was to sell them a completely new headset. With the Revo we can sell them a USB cable at a fraction of the price that can be swapped out in the original headset they purchased. Our Revo bluetooth headphones actually ship with two different and ear pads. One is a comfy leatherette great for relaxing and listening to music and the other is a moisture wicking ear pad for more active use. We really try to provide customers with something different to help differentiate and also have more flexibility in how they use our products."

"We recently updated our Ergo line of on the ear headphones and headsets to include a USB-C option, With Apple recently standardizing the USB-C on iPads and removing the 3.5 mm jack, it really leaves only one viable option for plugging into the the iPad for educational purposes. Bluetooth is a poor option because of having to maintain batteries by charging. We were able to very quickly get a USB-C option into production and available for customers. We have a USB-C option in our Revo line as well and any customers that have an existing Revo headset that is 3.5 mm or USB-A can purchase just the cable and not an entirely new headset."

"We have a good feedback loop with our customers through our teams out in the field, as well as strong relationships with resellers. We also attend a lot of conferences and events with educators that can provide insight into their needs. When we are field testing new products we spend time in classrooms and try them out with students ranging in age from 5 years old to high school to make sure that all of our products can fit and be comfortable across the entire spectrum of users. "

"Our products really had a boost when learning went almost exclusively hybrid during the pandemic. One of the key components we focus on in design and development is comfort. When a headphone or headset becomes uncomfortable, students can become distracted and less focused. All of our employees use our products throughout the day so we can attest to them being very comfortable for long periods of time."

8. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build a successful company in today's competitive environment?

"Focusing on unique solutions will make products and companies stand out. Entering into a market trying to mirror what everyone else is doing is a challenge as many competitors already have a foothold or a share of the market. Figuring out how to stand out and get your brand in front of people in a way that highlights how you are different is essential. You should know your market and the customers intimately. Sometimes the major brands may have some type of stumble or upheaval that provides a space for someone else to come in. Also leaning on people that have some expertise is important, especially when coming into markets that you are not as familiar with. We really bootstrapped our way into existence which helped us to maintain full ownership over our company and our vision. It can be very attractive to get funding that will amplify a launch, but you are giving something a way in the end. We have full control over all decisions and impulses we have as a company which has given us the ability to go in the direction we thought was best and not have to fight with investors who see things differently or are only thinking of how any decisions will impact their investment. "

TWT Audio offers everyone unmatched comfort and a higher caliber of audio quality. Connect with our top-quality headphones and headsets, made for professionals, gamers, and students alike, and elevate your listening experience with crystal-clear sound and unmatched comfort. Check out our selection of headsets and headphones. Call us at 949.237.2651 or email us at info@twtaudio.com. For any queries, please feel free to contact us. We are glad to assist you.