Stephan Weitz, B.T., BC-HIS
SAWTECH COMMUNICATIONS
Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Services
HEARING AID CENTER of Forest Hills
70-50 Austin Street
Forest Hills, New York 11375
(718) 793-9629 Voice
(7l8) 793-9665 (TTY/FAX)
[email protected]
Stephan Weitz
1 ) Tell me how you decided to start this business called “SAWTECH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.”, a hearing aid center and why you decided to go for it?
My lifetime hobby was always in electronics. As I was growing up, I got very involved in making some assistive devices in my home to enable me to have independence without depending on my family most of the time. When, I was at National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), I was involved in hearing aid shop and was hired to work there between classes. I made doorbell signalers for dormitory rooms so that the students won’t “bang” or “kick” on doors to alert the people in the room. After graduation from NTID, I worked at the New York League for the Hard of Hearing as a hearing aid fitter/technician and saw a great need for having assistive devices fitter and repairs for the hearing impaired at home. This is where I started to moonlight my business after hours. As this business grew, it came to a point where I had to resign my position at the New York League for the Hard of Hearing. I began to develop my full time business to help all ages and various people with different level of hearing losses, both at home and at the work place. The name, “SAWTECH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.” is derived from my initials: Stephan A. Weitz Technology. Then, Hearing Aid Center was added later to identify it as a hearing aid shop.
2) How long have you been in this business?
I started my business in 1975, but it seems that I have been in business all my adult life as I have always helped my friends and relatives to help me develop knowledge and experience.
3) What is your key accomplishment in this business?
My key accomplishment in this business is to be able to solve almost every problem and to be able to go home and sleep well at nights. This business is to help people solve their dilemma. Almost everyone I see have some sort of “problem” and they seek my assistance to solve them. That is my accomplishment, solving issues in with my professional knowledge.
4) What was your most embarrassing or funniest experience in this business?
The most funniest experience I had is when I incorporated the business as ~Sawtech, Inc.” I got many calls for high technology power saw. Quickly, I added “Communications” to indicate that it is in the hearing health field.
5) What is your present and future goals?
My goals were to be a professional and business person in establishing this business which was my dream while in college. Sawtech Communications is now well established and known in the community which is now at the peak and plateau’ed (leveled) out. I would like to see this business grow a little more where Sawtech can run on its own and eventually will transfer this business to my three children who eventually would like to go into this business. The goal is to have this a long family-run business in the future.
6) Tell me about your Jewish upbringing and your family?
I was raised in East New York, Brooklyn and I was in valved with the local orthodox temple. My mother kept a kosher home and goes to the temple on all high holy holidays. My father made sure that each holidays are educational and filled with fun so that we can remember these holidays as family oriented holidays. I had a bar mitzvah in the traditional form. Except I read the Torah in English and said it in Hebrew. I was unable to follow the instructors or the Rabbi. Due to the heavy accent in the language, it was a big interference to my English learning skills as a child. So, my parents felt that I should concentrate heavy in hearing and speaking skills.
7) Any other items you would like to share with me?
As a proud Jewish person, I have kept my Jewish faith as much as I am able to do. I am married to Fanny and we are proud of our three children in our community and they have performed their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. To this date, they continue to keep the Jewish faith. Like any other families, there are always ups and downs in life (family and business). The most important thing in life is to face the problems and eventually it will be solved. Just keep your faith and stay strong and your goal will be achieved.
