OUR STORY
Crown Design Group was founded in 2013 by Ben Graham and Garrett Walker. The two met while on the production staff at a fast growing, influential church in Bradenton, FL.
They were both privileged enough to be a part of the amazing growth at the church, and had the opportunity to play an integral role in both the weekend services, events, and campus launches. The church had an open-door policy when it came to helping other churches and sharing resources. These principles are where Crown Design Group began to take shape.
As the influence of the church grew in the city, state, and country, they had the opportunity to help other churches with their production needs. They would receive countless phone calls from other church production staff asking how they did things, and what equipment they used. It was from these conversations that the need was discovered.
2013
Crown Design Group Founded by Garrett Walker & Ben Graham
Garrett and Ben established Crown Design Group (CDG) as a response to the questions that many churches posed to them:
Which company possesses both the creative flair and technical expertise to transform their visions into reality?
Who can be trusted to execute the project with unwavering integrity and precision?
CDG's inception was sparked by a recognized need for an integrator possessing these qualities. Ben & Garrett grew their project known as Crown Design Group in the form of a ‘side hustle’ during their free time, taking personal time off from their day-jobs to complete installs. Although these initial projects were relatively small in scale, it quickly became evident that CDG was gaining traction and moving toward substantial growth.
2015
Crown Design Group Begins Accepting ‘Medium-sized Projects’
Following the first two years of Crown's development, Ben and Garrett were prepared to tackle more complex projects than they could initially handle.
Despite CDG remaining a part-time endeavor, Ben and Garrett dedicated themselves to delivering projects on time and with unwavering excellence, even if it meant enduring their often-used technique, the ‘all-nighter’.
2016
Crown Goes Full-Time; the Grind Years Begin
A transformative moment occurred for Crown as Ben and Garrett committed to running the company full-time. In 2016, they initiated payroll, marking a pivotal shift as CDG became their sole source of income.
The years 2016-2017 are fondly remembered as "the grind years," during which the dream of Crown Design Group quickly transformed into a tangible reality.
2018
CDG Now Hiring
Crown Design Group was rapidly evolving into the company we recognize today.
CDG began to draw in more intricate projects, demanding more time and manpower resources. To meet these growing demands, Crown welcomed its initial team members, advancing their mission.
With an expanded workforce and heightened productivity, more intricate projects began to transition from possibilities into realities.
Up until this point, all CDG operations ran out of Ben or Garrett’s garages. They now were ready for their first official office, work van, and box truck.
2019
Complex Projects Become a Regular Occurance
At Crown, we experienced a significant turning point as we discovered a new ground floor. Sophisticated projects, once seen as fortunate exceptions, had now become a regular occurrence in our journey.
CDG firmly established itself as a leading integrator in the Southeastern United States, gaining recognition across the region. Crown proudly assumed the role of the official integrator for several multi-campus churches. In fact, by 2019, Crown Design Group had partnered with four of the top ten fastest-growing churches in America, solidifying our commitment to excellence and innovation in AVL solutions.
2020
Nationwide Integration
Crown Design Group embarked on a journey beyond the confines of Florida, forging partnerships with churches and organizations across California, Indiana, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Simultaneously, our growth led us to outgrow our initial office and warehouse, prompting a relocation to a larger space that provides increased office capacity and expanded warehouse square footage to better serve our customers.
2022
Restructuring
Crown Design Group had reached a stable team size of 8 members. Up until this juncture, each team member handled a multitude of tasks, addressing whatever the day required.
With our growing capacity and team members possessing specialized expertise in distinct areas, Crown adopted a more structured approach. We divided our forces into three main teams: Design, Install, and Commissioning, each dedicated to their respective aspects of our projects, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient workflow.
2023
CDG Celebrates 10 Years Since 1st Project
2023 marks that a decade has passed since Crown embarked on its very first project. Over these remarkable years, we've grown from humble beginnings into a respected name in the AVL industry. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of innovation have been our guiding principles throughout the years. We've partnered with incredible churches and organizations, crafting unforgettable experiences together. As we celebrate this milestone, we are humbled and inspired, eager to continue our mission of elevating your world with cutting-edge audio, video, and lighting solutions.
The journey has been extraordinary, and the best is yet to come.
Crown Design Group was conceived with a sincere desire to lend a helping hand. This very principle continues to guide us today. We remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver excellence, regardless of a project's size or complexity. Our integrity and reliability are unwavering, and we are dedicated to seeing churches and organizations thrive. We're committed to harnessing technical innovations to innovate, integrate, and inspire communities, breathing life into our mission.
