Jonathan Grado

Inside Grado Labs with Fast Company

Fast Company recently stopped by Grado Labs to spend some time with my dad and me for a feature on the family audio business. We had a great conversation about our history, our process, and what it's like to work in a company that's been handling headphones and cartridges in Brooklyn since 1953.

Photographer James Chororos and producer Eddy Vallante came along to document the day. They captured some beautiful moments, both candid and behind-the-scenes, that reflect the spirit of Grado Labs: part workshop, part living history.

The story goes into how Grado has stayed small by design, why we’ve never advertised, and how headphones and cartridges still see the same workbenches my great uncle set up over 70 years ago. It also touches on what it’s like to grow up in a business like this, and how we gradually make changes as needed while staying true to the original vision.

Big thanks to FastCo for the thoughtful piece, and to James and Eddy for the beautiful visuals. Some of their shots from the day are below.