Tweet

A Day In The Life Of A Wireless Toyz Franchisee

Written by: Candice Clem

Article Overview: Chances are you're seen one of them in your town, and Wireless Toyz has taken their model of using the newest cellular technology and explaining it to their customers and built a massive chain of franchises all over the country. Here's a look at what a typical day looks like as the owner of a Wireless Toyz franchise.

A Day In The Life Of A Wireless Toyz Franchisee

In the last decade, the cell phone market has undoubtedly become one of the most rapidly growing industries in the United States, and it remains so today. In 1995, only 11% of Americans owned a cellular phone. Today, that number is up to a staggering 84%; in no exaggeration, almost everyone owns a cell phone in our country. The implications of this social trend are far-reaching, but in terms of the business world, it means that cell phone sales is potentially one of the most profitable industries available, and many retail franchises, having recognized this, are taking advantage of this $143bil industry.

One such franchise business is Wireless Toyz, a franchising operation that is steadily gaining traction across the nation. Opened in 1995 as a single store that made 95% of its revenue from pagers, Wireless Toyz turned a technological corner not long after, moving into the cellular phone market, and has exploded in recent years, now ranked #169 on the "Franchise 500" list, #98 on the "Fastest-Growing Franchise" list, and #1 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2008 list of "Wireless Stores." In 2006 alone, the business added 66 new franchises, an astounding expansion that brought the company to a total of 200 locations, an accomplishment that they are rightfully proud of.

But how is that degree of success practically built; what does a franchise operation of that stature look like at the ground level of daily retail operations? Wireless Toyz’ Senior Vice President, Finance and Growth Richard Simtob has a good deal to say on many topics surrounding franchising, and one of those is what sets a Wireless Toyz store apart: "we were founded on the realization that even knowledgeable consumers of wireless products and service are overwhelmed by rapid changes in technology, confused by too many choices and intimidated by ‘techie experts.’ A successful Wireless Toyz franchisee actually looks forward to every frustrated customer and unique problem that walks in the door. Patience is a plus, but what really characterizes our consistent sales leaders is a passion for solving problems, one customer at a time." That’s it: Wireless Toyz ultimately succeeds because the franchisors, franchisees, and employees genuinely want to address and solve the problems of the consumer.

On a more operational level, there are numerous other factors that play into the continued excellence and growth of this franchise opportunity. Many of them originate with the honest desire that the franchisors have to see their franchisees succeed at creating a one-stop shopping experience that customers look forward to walking into. Beginning with extensive training prior to the store’s launch and continuing throughout the lifespan of the store, Wireless Toyz franchisors stay in constant communication with franchisees, engaging them with monthly meetings, inter-franchise networking, and annual conventions. The goal is to know the franchisees well enough from day one so that they can help each store owner adapt their standard business model in a way that will best complement the franchisee’s natural skills and abilities as a business leader. With a strong combination of marketing services that include ready-to-use TV spots, custom intranet and point-of-sale computer systems for everyday in-store use, and on-going training and support from central staff and cell carrier representatives at their disposal, any franchisee is capable of succeeding and helping further advance this powerful business.

With all those tools in mind, Simtob sums up the relationship between franchisor and franchisee by saying that, "The kind of passionate people who tend to succeed in our franchise system generally want to flex their own entrepreneurial muscle and make operational decisions themselves. Many have asked for additional support going into the relationship because of time constraints and other business endeavors. We work with people on a case-by-case basis to build the kind of relationship they want with us. The key is to look for a good balance between system rules and franchisee independence. Most of our franchisees want substantial, but not overly rigid guidance in the areas of real estate, store layout and design, ongoing operational field support, business analysis, training manuals, marketing and advertising."

What Richard Simtob and the rest of the Wireless Toyz central staff is most concerned about is matching their business for sale with the right kind of business leaders who will take their concept and use it to its utmost for personal success and greater brand recognition. They see the entire interaction in terms of relationships as much as they do business.

In describing how a prospective business owner can find the best franchise, Simtob offers a great deal of wisdom, saying, "Like any business you choose to run, you’ll be nurturing it for a long time, and nothing is worse than a marriage without love." Wireless Toyz franchisors and executives love the business that they’re building, not just the money that comes from it. Likewise, successful franchisees that make the most of their business opportunities also love their businesses. That is the key to daily and long-term success, and the model that has been fine tuned and proven successful by Wireless Toyz.

Related Articles
  Connecting a Wireless Home Network
  Franchisee/Franchisor Relationship Requires Mutual Trust, Respect
  Make the Most of the Franchisee/Franchisor Relationship
  Franchisees and The 90 Day Window
  The franchise sale

Article Tags: cellular phone market, changes in technology, entrepreneur magazine, fastest growing franchise, franchise business, franchise operation, franchisee, frustrated customer, gaining traction, knowledgeable consumers, last decade, profitable industries, rapid changes, retail franchises, retail operations, senior vice president, single store, social trend, vice president finance, wireless toyz store



Related Forum Posts
Protecting IP - Dear BigJim 22 Sure as long as it is in the Franchise agreement... ie wht you are offering as Francisor and what their obligations are as Franchisee It is all in the agreement........ take care Ian
The Second Life Platform - Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.
Library to Meet - Has anyone ever tried the Public Library? they have meeting rooms there too and Toronto has over 30 locations with Free Wireless Internet.
I'll call Heather - That is way too much! How obnoxious! At least when Rogers Wireless does it, they actually send you a prize, like a years magazine subscription or something. I find it worth the 5 minutes - but not 8 million times and with now reward.
Re: The Second Life Platform - [quote="JBunion":fhe23fsu]Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.[/quote:fhe23fsu] Hi JBunion, I've heard about the site. So are you currently a member? And more importantly, have you tried to open a store front in that virtual world?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Starting a Business with Bad Personal Credit

Making the Most of Your Trade Show Experience

Effective Email Marketing Requires Planning

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.