Learn from a leader about a “recession resistant” biz.

I am always looking for Positively Powerful People who are willing to share what they know. Well, here is a short interview with the first owner of a cell phone company that I’ve met and know personally. Just about everybody has a cell phone. So no matter where the economy is going, it seems to me that this business and industry will continue to grow. Maybe this is just the business opportunity you are looking for. Meet Bryan Magleby, Owner & Wireless Consultant, Wireless Innovations (WireInn):

1. When and why did you start your business?

Wireless Innovations opened their doors in June of 2002 with a single location in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Within 1 year, we expanded to 6 stores in Southeastern Idaho.  Since then we have grown at a pace of 3-4 stores per year and currently have 20 stores in 4 Western States of Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona.

2. How does someone get into the cell phone business?

Most people get into the cell phone business after working for another company and then starting their own.  I did this.   I started with a company called Alert Cellular when they had 1 store in Utah, and left 7 years later when they had over 70.  If you do not have a history of the cell phone business, it would be tough to survive!

3. Since everyone has one or more cell phones, do you think that this is a recession-proof business?

I feel that our business is not recession proof, but somewhat recession resistant!  Cell phones are addicting to most people when they see what the capabilities of them are and how much easier their lives are because of them.  They are becoming more and more of a true business tool and we hope with the recent downturn in the economy that we will be effected just slightly!

4. What challenges keep you up at night?

Because I have experienced larger than normal growth these past few years, my cash flow has been strained.  Making sure there are always the right funds in the right places is challenging.  Also, the travel these past few years into New Mexico and Arizona to establish business there has been challenging for both me and my family.

5. What’s next? Anyway that we/readers can support this?

Wireless Innovations is an agent for Verizon Wireless.  Verizon (the #2 carrier nationwide) recently purchased Alltel (the #5 carrier) and are in the process of completing the merger.  So look forward to exciting news as these two carriers combine to become the LARGEST CELL PHONE COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY!

6. Where do you see this technology going?

The business is evolving to being able to do almost everything you can on your computer on your handheld….so ongoing combinations of handhelds doing more of these functions is the future—-someday you will be able to start your coffee pot with your cell phone!

7. What are WireInn’s statistics, number of employees, etc.?

Wireless Innovations currently employs just under 50 employees with expected revenue for 2008 reaching over 4 Million dollars.

8. What might be interesting to people that I didn’t ask you about.

We are looking to expand to more areas in the future with the Phoenix area being one of our main areas of focus—Life is great…business is great and we look forward to our future!

Bryan, Thank you for your time. Joel Martin