DANE Spencer, managing director of Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS), admits that it was the push of his business partner, Marlon Hudson, that got the business started.
Both men worked in the information technology department of a local supermarket chain, moved up as high as they could, and decided they needed a change.
Dane Spencer, managing director of Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) says the company will add more retail stores and product offerings and continue to change the face of smart mobile devices and software. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)
They tried out selling automotive paints — thinking that was the next big thing — before establishing the company that offers mobile devices and software solutions.
Selling smartphone accessories was actually just a supplement to the paint business, Spencer recalled.
But revenue from the accessories business outgrew it, prompting the duo to switch focus to SMS, which has grown since officially opening in 2008.
They later went to some conferences, met up with some people from RIM and became a BlackBerry Alliance member.
"We are a mobile solutions company that provides the one-stop shop when it comes to accessories, devices, repair solutions as well as software solutions," said Spencer. "We delve into the full spectrum of mobile solutions."
The fact is, both men are running a business in a market that has numerous companies that repair devices and offer software solutions, but Spencer said that the difference and superior service of SMS is obvious.
SMS doesn't merely sell and repair devices, they take the customers through the full process of becoming acquainted with their smart mobile devices, he said.
"People come to us for the good quality products that we have, but more so the good customer service; if you buy a device from us, we give a brief tutorial; when data needs to be transferred, we do that," said Spencer. "It's the fact that, when it comes to device repair, we fix it when others can't."
Understandably, there will be challenges in the dynamic field of technology.
Staffing is always an issue; SMS doesn't always get the right staff complement.
"We can't always get people who fully understand what we are trying to accomplish, with certain skills sets because the field is so dynamic," he noted.
Software has its own challenges altogether.
"We have to show customers our worth and ensure that we get what they want done," the CEO said. "Without too much back and forth, in a practical and timely manner."
Never mind that they got robbed three years ago, and that they had to get start-up capital from their pockets.
"We did some contract work and IT consultations, we just pooled our money until we could buy our first inventory stock," Spencer said. "We never took from the business for the first two years; it was pretty much hand to mouth then."
Spencer and his partner plan to add more retail outlets and introduce new products — both hardware and software.
"We'll keep changing the game. There's no product that we put out that we can't put our name behind," he said.
Both men worked in the information technology department of a local supermarket chain, moved up as high as they could, and decided they needed a change.
Dane Spencer, managing director of Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) says the company will add more retail stores and product offerings and continue to change the face of smart mobile devices and software. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)
   Dane Spencer, managing director of Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) says the company will add more retail stores and product offerings and continue to change the face of smart mobile devices and software. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON) #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/1  |
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They tried out selling automotive paints — thinking that was the next big thing — before establishing the company that offers mobile devices and software solutions.
Selling smartphone accessories was actually just a supplement to the paint business, Spencer recalled.
But revenue from the accessories business outgrew it, prompting the duo to switch focus to SMS, which has grown since officially opening in 2008.
They later went to some conferences, met up with some people from RIM and became a BlackBerry Alliance member.
"We are a mobile solutions company that provides the one-stop shop when it comes to accessories, devices, repair solutions as well as software solutions," said Spencer. "We delve into the full spectrum of mobile solutions."
The fact is, both men are running a business in a market that has numerous companies that repair devices and offer software solutions, but Spencer said that the difference and superior service of SMS is obvious.
SMS doesn't merely sell and repair devices, they take the customers through the full process of becoming acquainted with their smart mobile devices, he said.
"People come to us for the good quality products that we have, but more so the good customer service; if you buy a device from us, we give a brief tutorial; when data needs to be transferred, we do that," said Spencer. "It's the fact that, when it comes to device repair, we fix it when others can't."
Understandably, there will be challenges in the dynamic field of technology.
Staffing is always an issue; SMS doesn't always get the right staff complement.
"We can't always get people who fully understand what we are trying to accomplish, with certain skills sets because the field is so dynamic," he noted.
Software has its own challenges altogether.
"We have to show customers our worth and ensure that we get what they want done," the CEO said. "Without too much back and forth, in a practical and timely manner."
Never mind that they got robbed three years ago, and that they had to get start-up capital from their pockets.
"We did some contract work and IT consultations, we just pooled our money until we could buy our first inventory stock," Spencer said. "We never took from the business for the first two years; it was pretty much hand to mouth then."
Spencer and his partner plan to add more retail outlets and introduce new products — both hardware and software.
"We'll keep changing the game. There's no product that we put out that we can't put our name behind," he said.