Wireless Zone featured on Cincinnati.com

Wireless Zone was recently featured on Cincinnati.com in an article titled, "Delhi man dials up business on the pike." The article features Wireless Zone Delhi owner Joe Reed. Reed discusses why he decided to open his new store location where he did and his success as a cornhole player. Reed’s assistant manager, Steve Smith, also discussed how great the location was for him because it enabled him to walk to work. Click here to read the full article. 


Delhi man dials up business on the pike
By: Heidi Fallon

Joe Reed accomplished one of the first rules of business – see a need and fill it.

The Delhi Township man said he saw the lack of a cellphone business, so he opened the Verizon Wireless Zone at the corner of Delhi Road and Greenwell Avenue. His store occupies a portion of what had been the United Dairy Farmers.

“Delhi didn’t have any cellphone business and this was an easy fix for me and where I live,” Reed, 27, said. “The community needed a wireless business and business has been great.'


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Franchisee Profile: Joe Reed of Delhi, OH

Name: Joe Reed                                                              

Opening Date: December 22nd                                                

Location: Delhi, Ohio

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I grew up in Cincinnati, just five minutes away from the store I just opened.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I have spent the past seven years working in the wireless industry.

Q: How did you learn about Wireless Zone?

A: I actually was hired on to run their first location in Cincinnati and then was brought on as a partner about a year ago. I started as their manager in 2010 and in 2011, I was offered the chance to become part of the franchise.

Q: How did you perform your due diligence? In other words, how did you conduct your background check on Wireless Zone?

A: My business partners out of Columbus did the research. After a lot of the research I decided that this was the best possible brand. The proven track record of the brand being that it’s the largest nationwide Verizon franchisee made this an easy decision for us.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: Wireless Zone has a proven method and a way where you’re in business for yourself but not by yourself. They get you up and going and it’s nice to have the benefit of having our own warehouse as opposed to if it was just a regular store, you’d have to buy directly from Verizon. Being a franchise of Verizons Largest national indirect franchise, we are able to be a full-service one-stop shop. We can take bill payments and are able to sell the iPhone. All those are benefits of being a Wireless Zone franchise.

Q: What was most appealing to you about joining a franchise system as opposed to starting your own business?

A: It’s nice to just succeed, seeing the store finally open, seeing it do well when it does open. It’s nice to make your own schedule, have the flexibility to do what you want, when you want.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: The team building, the corporate stuff that we went through. It takes a little while to get into that side of things to where you can figure out what drives people, whether it’s money or recognition, responsibility whatever it may be. With Delhi, I wanted to put a store in Delhi being that this is the community I live and grew up in. Once a westsider always a westsider. It’s the only wireless store in Delhi, there’s no other wireless store in Delhi. We are only 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, on the westside.

Q: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun? What activities do you enjoy on weekends?

A: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing cornhole in different areas across the country with the American Cornhole Association. I don’t get to play as much as I used to unfortunately because I have been so busy with getting my franchise up and running. I have played in tournaments all over the country. Americancornhole.org.

Q: What did you find most appealing about the mobile communications industry?

A: It never gets boring, something’s always changing. There’s always a new phone coming out with all the new technology. I’m a techie nerd, so knowing about the new phones before they come out is pretty cool.

Q: How many jobs is your location going to create?

A: The Delhi location has created 5 full-time jobs and one part-time job, all local people from Delhi. Alicia DelCupp is our manager and currently working on her masters at Xavier University and Steve Smith is our Assistant Manager currently working on a BA at the University of Cincinnati. Having great employees makes the stress tolerable.

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A: I’ve had to work lot of hours to get to where I am today. I worked at Radio Shack and then I worked at T-Mobile corporate and spend a lot of time working, learning the industry. All of this has forced me to sacrifice spending time with friends and family.

Q: How does your business connect with the local community?

A: We donate money to sponsor many different teams. We plan on donating money towards the Anderson Ferry Food Bank which is a food bank. Hiring within the community was big for me as well. I am a big believer in doing business in your own community. We want to keep the tax dollars local.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: When I was at T-Mobile, I won multiple awards that only the top 1 percent of the company’s sales people, it’s called Winner’s Circle. That has done me well over the course of my career. Knowing some of the people in the industry, I know people that work for other wireless providers that call and talk about best practices. There are other franchisees that we can call and ask questions and nice to just get an opinion from someone that’s out there and they know what you’re talking about.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: We would like to have five locations by the end of 2012. We have one new location that we’re working on right now as long as we can get the logistics worked out in our favor.

ABOUT WIRELESS ZONE

Founded in 1988 as "The Car Phone Store", Wireless Zone has become the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor and was ranked the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. Every store is independently owned and operated, exclusively offering Verizon Wireless products and services. In 2010, has grown to more than 400 locations thanks to its recession friendly and finance friendly model. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit www.wirelesszone.com.

Wireless Zone featured in Wayne Post

Wireless Zone was featured in the Wayne Post in an article titled, "New Wireless World - Keeping the world connected." The article features Wireless Zone franchisee Michael Racaniello and discusses his recent opening in Ontario and how the events of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 lead him to seek a fresh start in upstate New York. The article also details how Michael plans to open a second location in the next few years and that the wireless industry has enormous potential for further growth. Click here to view the entire article.


New Wireless World - Keeping the world connected
By: Tracey Curry


Born and raised in Queens, Michael Racaniello was and equity trader on Wall Street who knew he wanted to own his own business some day — and after witnessing first-hand the events of Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, it wasn’t long before he knew, the time was right.

In April of that next year, he moved is family to upstate New York, and, after learning the lay of the land and gaining the expertise he needed, he opened Wireless Zone in Ontario.
Named Business of the Month by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, his success was fueled by what he lost that September morning, 10 years ago.


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Franchisee Profile: Michael Racaniello of Ontario, NY

Name:  Michael Racaniello

Opening Date: 10/1/11

Brand:   WirelessZone

Location: Ontario, NY.

Q: Why did you choose this location?

A: My wife and I are transplants from New York City. We came to Fairport after September 11^th wanting to get out of the “big city.” I was in Fairport for a job, and we decided that we liked the area so much that we were willing to settle down here. We had been looking for a business for a while, and we did a lot of research to find the right concept.  About a year and a half later, we came across the Wireless Zone.  We thought it had a bright future in the cell phone industry; it was young and busy; an ever-changing environment.  Because Ontario, and Wayne County in general, is a growing community, we thought it would be a great area to establish a business.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born and raised in Queens.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I was an equity trader on Wall Street.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A:  I looked at several locations in the area, and Ontario made the most sense because it is a growing community, and it had a good customer base to begin with. I also looked at it from a monetary standpoint, and it made great sense. Because my location already existed, it really pleased me that the team was very pleasant and polite.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A:  A franchise is a business system and that takes a lot of the risk away when compared to opening an independent cell phone store. Wireless Zone has a positive track record, and they’ve got a proven business system that works down to the details of store hours, advertising, and customer relations. The system is what attracted me to franchising. Wireless Zone has 463 stores, so they’re obviously doing something correct.  

Q: With respect to your previous experience, which skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: In my previous line of work, I had customers that I would speak to on a daily basis concerning the market conditions and things of that nature. It was a career that required me to multi-task, which is helpful in greeting and working with the customers. I also have to stay on top of my responsibilities for Wireless Zone.

Q: Why did you choose to enter this industry?

A: The wireless industry still has a lot of growth potential; the industry is in a continual state of change.  Mobile phones are now a necessity, and the younger generation is very technology-driven.  These characteristics made me feel good about owning a business that would remain significant in the future.  

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A: I didn’t come from the wireless industry, so I had to put a lot of trust in the due diligence process.  It’s exciting to re-invigorate my career mid-life; I’m 43 years old.  I  now look forward to waking up every day and going to work!

Q: What makes your business different?

A: I envision it as a work in progress--it’s a piece of art that’s getting painted everyday. My business is going to be based of off customer service and customer relations, which will differentiate me from my competitors. When you come into my store, you’re going to be immediately greeted by our team. Whether you come in and actually want a phone, or you just have a question about how your phone works, we’re going provide assistance and support so that customers walk away with a great experience.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: We are continuing to integrate Wireless Zone into the community by sponsoring local sports teams and getting involved in the PTA to offer educational classes for the parents concerned about cell phone safety for their kids.

Q: Are there any prominent industry trends that you are experiencing right now?

A: I think going forward is the tablet—I just don’t think people have fully embraced it yet. I think it was like the cell phone 10 years ago where it wasn’t a necessity, it was a desire, and I think that’s where the tablet is. Within 3 to 5 years, we’ll be carrying around tablets like we’re carrying around laptops now and drop the laptops.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: I’ve owned several businesses in the past, so I think that’ll help. On my own, I’ve built a management company that I still currently operate. I’ve survived thirteen years on Wall Street and there have been a lot of ups and downs there, so my attitude is that looking at the glass half full is always better than looking at it half empty.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: I plan to have a second location in the next six months, hopefully bringing more jobs to Wayne County, which has a population of about 56,000.

ABOUT WIRELESS ZONE

Founded in 1988 as "The Car Phone Store", Wireless Zone has become the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor and was ranked the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. Every store is independently owned and operated, exclusively offering Verizon Wireless products and services. In 2010, has grown to more than 400 locations thanks to its recession friendly and finance friendly model. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit www.wirelesszone.com.

Franchisee Profile: Nate Bastarache of Easthampton, MA

NAME: Nate Bastarache
LOCATION: 422 Main Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
OPENING DATE: November 27, 2009

How Bastarache Got Started With Wireless Zone…Nate first heard about Wireless Zone through several of his friends who owned Wireless Zone locations. Nate felt there was a high demand and need for a customer-service driven business in the Easthampton area, such as Wireless Zone, which exclusively offers Verizon Wireless products and services.

What intrigued Bastarache about Wireless Zone…Nate is a 12-year veteran of the automotive industry and was intrigued by the high customer satisfaction that Wireless Zone has upheld over the years. Nate sought to fulfill his lifelong passion for independent business ownership in an industry that is rapidly growing, unlike the automotive industry. He decided to move forward in the wireless technology industry, an industry that continues to evolve and grow regardless of the current economy and one that the community cannot live without given the increasing need to stay connected.

Something Interesting About Bastarache’s Story…
Nate switched his career focus to help meet the increasing demand for wireless products and services in the Easthampton community. Being a first-time entrepreneur, Nate decided it would be best to start his franchising career in an industry that is ever-changing; one that, despite the economy, is continuing to prosper. His prime decision for choosing Easthampton was to provide the necessary support and needs to local consumers during these challenging and exciting times of the cell phone industry.

ABOUT WIRELESS ZONE

Founded in 1988 as "The Car Phone Store", Wireless Zone has become the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor and was ranked the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. Every store is independently owned and operated, exclusively offering Verizon Wireless products and services. In 2010, has grown to more than 400 locations thanks to its recession friendly and finance friendly model. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit www.wirelesszone.com. 

Franchisee Profile: Igor Velyunskiy of Long Grove, IL

Name:  Igor Velyunskiy

Opening Date: 10/15/11

Brand: Wireless Zone

Location: Long Grove, IL

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am originally from Russia and moved to the U.S. in 1996.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I worked in telecommunications.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: I researched different businesses that I could potentially become a part of where I could own a store with a business system already in place. I also really wanted to work with a Verizon retailer, as they are one of the major carriers in the U.S.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: I think that as a business owner, there are many ways to grow and expand your business, and I was looking for an opportunity to establish myself.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A: I was impressed by how supportive Wireless Zone is of their franchisees. It also was helpful to see how successful Wireless Zone has been. They are one of the top franchises in the technology industry, so that really influenced my decision.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: I really wanted to become a Verizon retailer, and I felt that the time and costs of starting my own store would have been much higher. The business model really appealed to me because there is power in numbers—I’m not just a small, single store. I have a lot of support from the business as a whole, and I have a lot of pride in the products and services I am providing.  

Q: Why did you choose your particular location?

A: I chose this location because it is in a well-populated area near other businesses.

Q: In respect to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: With my background, I did not have a whole lot of experience in running an individual business prior to this. However, I am passionate about the products and services I will be selling and I think that will really help me connect with the customers and assist them with what they need.

Q: Why did you choose to enter this industry?

A: The industry is still growing and I think it will continue to grow for years to come. Especially with so many people using Smartphones for all of their needs, whether it’s for entertainment or work or communication, I think we will see a lot of expansion in this industry.

Q: How did you finance your business?

A: I financed by business through my own savings.

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A: I am just opening, so fortunately I have not had any obstacles today. I think that everything will take its course, and that I will learn a lot along the way.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: I think that my location (outside of the Chicago area) will be beneficial to my success. I think that this area has a lot of room for growth.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: I plan on participating in the local chamber of commerce and advertising locally to reach members of the community. I have hired people locally, and I hope to hire more.

Q: Are there any prominent industry trends that you are experiencing right now?

A: I think we will definitely be seeing an increase in Smartphone users.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: I think that I have been able to build good professional relationships and I will continue to do that with customers and employees.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: I am just about to open my first location but I would love to expand in the future. I hope to find more great locations like Long Grove.

ABOUT WIRELESS ZONE

Founded in 1988 as "The Car Phone Store", Wireless Zone has become the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor and was ranked the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. Every store is independently owned and operated, exclusively offering Verizon Wireless products and services. In 2010, has grown to more than 400 locations thanks to its recession friendly and finance friendly model. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit www.wirelesszone.com. 

Wireless Zone was featured in Marco Island Sun Times

Wireless Zone was recently featured in the Marco Island Sun Times in an article titled, "Verizon retailer Wireless Zone to open Marco Island store". Marco Island Sun Times reporter, Don Manley, spoke with Wireless Zone owner, Bruce Capobianco, about his expansion of Wireless Zone on to Marco Island. There was a need for a Verizon distributor in the market and this will be the first Verizon retailer on the island. Bruce also mentions that they are a full-service store, will offer training classes for customers to learn how to use all of the functions on their phone, and give every person the best customer experience. Click here to view the entire article.

Verizon retailer Wireless Zone to open Marco Island store
By: Don Manley
 

Marco Island's Verizon Wireless customers will soon have a much shorter trip when they want to visit their cell service provider.

Wireless Zone, a Verizon retailer, and local franchisee Bruce Capobianco will be opening a store on the island by the end of this month.

Connecticut-based Wireless Zone sells Verizon Wireless cellular phones, GPS navigation equipment, wireless accessories, prepaid cellular services and more.

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