telecommunications company that finally ignited within him a fire.
Electronics and technology always had come easily for Hunter. He worked as a“ techie” for his high school while still a student. High school and college also found Hunter regularly fixing cell phones, iPods, and such for family and friends.
So when his dad, Mike Riebl, offered to help launch an electronics store in Nashville, Hunter immediately was intrigued.
“ I was apprehensive, though, because my perception was that all the businesses here cater to tourists,” Hunter said.“ But once we got to talking more about what we could offer, I realized that if we did it right, this could be huge.”
Mike, managing partner of Tsune America in Edinburgh, said being a business owner has been one of the most rewarding choices of his own life,“ So we said,‘ Let’ s give this a try!’” He said Hunter’ s ease in connecting with people, coupled with his obvious strengths with technology, made the general business focus clear. But without any retail experience of his own, Mike said he and his son could only guess how well the store might be received.
“ Certainly the success of the electronics part of the business has surprised us,” he said.“ I was thinking there might be more demand for the retail or printing, but of the three or four legs we stand on, the need that is out there for local repairs has been great.”
While the store certainly piques the interest of passing tourists, Hunter said his primary clientele is local. He said he’ s thrilled to be filling gaps and hopefully making residents’ lives easier.
Hunter said his father’ s business experience has been invaluable with the store’ s launch.“ It’ s amazing to be able to go to him anytime I have questions,” Hunter said.“ The people who start a business on their own and don’ t know what they’ re doing, man, it must feel like getting hit by a bus. Instead, I just feel like I’ ve been hit by a small SUV!”
Hunter plans to someday finish his degree. But for now, he’ s just glad that life’ s twists and turns brought him back to Brown County.
“ I think a lot of young people think that if they’ re not into the artsy tourism stuff, there’ s nothing to do except leave,” he said.“ But in reality there are a lot of opportunities. I’ m very happy to be here. This is definitely a great place for me.”
Hunter’ s Electronics is located at 30 East Washington Street across from the Circle K. Winter hours are 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. Monday through Saturday. For information call( 317) 498-9982 or visit < hunterselectronics. com >. •
Jan./ Feb. 2016 • Our Brown County 21