Computer Dealer News: Braudy brothers bank on Dominion Multimedia

MARKHAM, Ont. - Lured to the city of bright lights and deep pockets a few years ago, the Braudy brothers hoped to see their dreams realized as quickly as a spin of a roulette wheel. Steering clear of the slot machines, Howard and Robert instead rolled the dice on the opportunity to start their own distribution company - based on 1,500 CD-ROM titles scooped up at the annual Las Vegas Comdex show in 1994.

Back in Canada, the pair formed Dominion Multimedia, a hardware and software distribution business now worth an estimated $30 million that began as a $12,000 operation based out of their grandmother's basement. With new 15,000-square-foot digs in Markham, such humble beginnings are a thing of the past - but hardly forgotten.

"We've had to overcome tremendous obstacles," said Howard, who credits Acer, also a new company at the time, for giving Dominion its first big break. "There's nothing worse in this industry than being the new kids on the block. For us, it was all about pounding doors and convincing manufacturers that we could bring them new business."

Four years ago, Howard was travelling from B.C. to P.E.I. as a sales rep for a nationwide distribution firm. Disillusioned with the company, it dawned on him that with the network of resellers and contacts he had built up, he could be his own boss. He recruited his brother Robert, fresh out of university with an MBA, and the pair joined forces to become a distribution company - with a difference.

"Everyone likes to say that to outsmart your competitors, service has to be number one. Rather than just roll these words off our tongues, we decided to do it," said Howard.

At first, Dominion carried strictly CD-ROM titles, and later, CD-ROM drives. But after studying the market, Howard and Robert made a decision to focus on hardware, which now composes 80 per cent of the company's product line.

"At the time, CD-ROMs were a trend. We knew that, so we decided to move toward the direction technology was moving in." Dominion now carries everything from sound cards and scanners to motherboards and monitors.

Mark Silverman, the executive manager of MicroBytes, a systems, hardware and software reseller located in Montreal, ranks Dominion Multimedia as their third-biggest supplier. "Without fail, Domionion does what we ask them to," said Silverman. "When we're looking for a product, we know they can get it to us, as well as offer us competitive pricing and good service."

The hardware business is going so well, Dominion is getting ready to launch its own brand of PCs. "Our systems business has really picked up thanks to resellers, said Howard. "We're going to be branding a clone system very shortly, and we'll be marketing that toward the reseller."

Dominion Multimedia, which has 21 employees including nine commissioned salespeople, shippers and administrators, hopes to open a warehouse and sales operation in B.C. and enter the U.S. market within the next few years.

"To use a bad cliche, the recipe for our success is a mixture of hard work and dedication," said Howard. "I think back to the early days, and I can't believe how far we've come. Now, we offer a full solution - one-stop shopping, if you like."

Not bad for two brothers who rolled into Vegas with little experience, no financial backing and nothing but a dream to bank on.