Meet John Dyess of Dyezz Surveillance and Security

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Dyess.

Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I fell in love with Austin, Texas, the minute I touched down for the first time and moved here within weeks. I was able to get jobs downtown working in the bar industry and met some wonderful people that now made me who I am – I get to serve them as customers, which is a huge blessing. I started to work in retail and after Sept. 11, 2001, I decided it was time to get into the security business, and now, 12 years in, Dyezz Surveillance and Security Inc. is rapidly growing. But my family is my first priority – my wife and my three wonderful children.

I started the company in 2001 by investing $400 in two surveillance cameras. Now it generates between $3 million and $3.5 million in annual revenue and has 29 employees. It serves both homes and businesses.

Dyezz is relocating to Pflugerville from 2113 Wells Branch Parkway in Austin, north of The Domain. Our new home base will be in three buildings, measuring about 5,000 square feet in total, at 4613 Priem Lane.

We only live once. I always wanted to be somebody, lead, manage and make a difference. I came from a middle-class home with two wonderful parents who are still married – that motivates me. I always saw myself being something, and I always loved the good life. So, I had a let’s-make-it-happen kind of attitude… and I still do. Live life and make a difference.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Shortly after 9/11, I knew there would be a need or, rather a demand, by homeowners and businesses for increased safety and security as the U.S. was reeling in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

I had only $400 to my name but decided to take a gamble on the purchase of two video surveillance cameras, which I sold to two homeowners. I then used the money I made for selling and installing those cameras to buy more.

It was a slow start, but the business eventually took off. My advice to anyone starting a business with no capital is that although it might be hard at first, hang in there. That’s the road I traveled, but I had the drive and never gave up.

The gamble paid off.

Today, I am CEO of Dyezz Surveillance & Security. We have has expanded since our start in 2001 to service residential and commercial customers in San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas, and Houston. We also service our large franchise accounts that are in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Tennessee, New York, and Florida.

While Dyezz remains bootstrapped and profitable since about 2005, we have entertained accepting venture capital. Some have wanted to throw millions at the business. But we decided they were not a good fit. Yet, I haven’t ruled out raising capital. Depending on how and the rate at which we continue to grow the company, VC backing might be an appealing route sometime in the future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dyezz Surveillance and Security?
Dyezz Surveillance & Security offers installations and services for video surveillance systems, burglar and fire alarms, access control systems, covert surveillance, bug detection, intercom systems, and home automation. Founded in 2001, Dyezz Surveillance has expanded since then to service residential and commercial customers in San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas, and Houston. They also service our large franchise accounts that are in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Tennessee, New York, and Florida.

We have partnered with Eagle Eye Networks to provide cloud video surveillance for our home and business owners. This product has been a great business move for Dyezz Surveillance & Security, Dyezz Surveillance and Security is a long-term partner with Alibi Security, an Austin-based value-added provider of video surveillance and access control technologies. Alibi Security serves a nationwide network of security dealers and specializes in supporting high-growth dealers like Dyezz with leading-edge security products.

Regarding customer service, Dyezz Surveillance will begin offering a lifetime warranty on systems the company has installed and on future installations with its ESA programs. This will help keep our current and future clients within budget without being surprised when they receive their invoices.

We’re proud of our Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. We put together a whole submission in which we were judged by a panel of our peers from both large and small businesses. They determined that not only was our company productive in the way we operate and helped our stockholders make money, but we take care of our customers and are ethical and honest along the way.

We believe in taking care of our employees too. We have implemented quarterly team-building events, ranging from hitting golf balls at Topgolf to playing video games and skeet balls at Kung Fu Saloon. Our goal is for the team to interact with one another away from the office, not just at work, and it’s been a success.

The company boasts around 15,000 customers in the Austin area. They include The Dogwood bar on West Sixth Street and Hopdoddy Burger Bar Inc.

Differentiating Dyezz from major national companies, such as Florida-headquartered ADT Inc., is our price point and our lack of monthly fees. Their rates are 15% to 20% higher than Dyezz.

I’d like to keep going as long as I can go. I’m not interested in selling the company to a business that could mistreat our current clients. I’m still young. I don’t believe in retirement. You have to keep kicking butt to stay alive.

We did open a branch in the Dallas area second quarter for 2020 and have 6 employees and growing. We partnered with AST owner Cody Shortle to open Dyezz Surveillance and Access, Inc. which now brings revenues of $750K a year and this year we will hit $1 Million in sales.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The hottest trend right now in surveillance and security is smart home and business alarms systems that have taken the market by storm thanks to the makers of DSC & 2GIG powered by Alarm.com that provides home and business security to more than 5 million customers.

App-controlled access systems that don’t require an access badge, key cards or fobs to enter or exit an area or building is the latest and greatest in security that is provided by Openpath. It allows companies to manage their access control anytime and anywhere through the cloud.

Also on our radar is DIY (do it yourself) alarm systems that Dyezz Surveillance will offer to its customers. The Simple Safe and Ring alarms are growing, however, the only drawback is that these DIY systems are made for apartments, condos, or homes with smaller square footages. The system that our company provides can cover apartments, condos, homes, and small businesses up to 6,000 square feet.

Where we are now and where we are going is exciting. Building up our team, fleet, funding, vendors, and merging with security companies is in the forecast of Dyezz Surveillance & Security.

Other company goals include growing our alarm system, video surveillance, and access control clientele throughout Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, and expanding Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dyezz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyezzsurveillance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyezz.surveillance
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dyezz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/DyezzSurveillanceAustin
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dyezz-surveillance-and-security-austin