In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Evan Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Riverview Systems Group, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based live event production company with a 38-year track record of staging unforgettable experiences for major global brands like Google, Apple, and Cisco.
Evan shares the unlikely blend of theater and accounting that led to his success, how he kept his team intact during the pandemic by pivoting to virtual production, and why empowering people is the secret to creating extraordinary events—and lasting culture. He also talks about co-founding the Rhythm Academy of San Jose, mentoring the next generation of industry talent, and what he’s learned across four decades in business.
This one’s packed with heart, hustle, and hard-won wisdom.
🔑 Topics Covered:
- Adapting to change in the live event industry
- The power of culture in business longevity
- The transition from analog to digital production
- Leading through crisis with empathy and creativity
- Mentorship, education, and community impact
- Entrepreneurship across industries
💬 Memorable Quotes from Evan Williams:
- “There was never an idea in 1987 that we’d become a $20 million company. We just wanted to provide a service nobody else was offering.”
- “Patience is one of the most important things. Being willing to listen, and not being stuck on your own ideas—that’s how you grow.”
- “Our best work is done under NDA.” 😄 (A lighthearted but telling nod to high-stakes production work)
- “The team chose to take a cut in salary rather than see any coworkers laid off. That speaks to the culture here.”
- “I’ve always tried to empower people to do what they’re passionate about. That’s how careers grow—and how teams stick together.”
- “We didn’t have a plan during the pandemic, but we had the right mindset: be flexible, pivot fast, and do the next right thing.”
- “If you want to be successful as a business owner, you're in it 24/7. It's a commitment, not a shortcut.”
- “There’s such a joy in watching someone you’ve mentored succeed—even if they don’t work for you anymore. That’s impact.”
🔗 Guest Links:
🌐 Website: www.riverview.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/RiverviewSystemsGroup
📺 YouTube: @riverviewsystemsgroupinc4339
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