Freedom Wireless Inc.
Enjoying a succession of banner years, Freedom Wireless Inc. is poised for even greater success in the future. The regional wireless phone retailer generated a record $22 million in revenues for 2005 — more than twice its 2002 figure of $10 million.
As wireless phones become more popular and more advanced, Freedom Wireless is at the forefront of this communication revolution.
Started in 1992 as a spin-off of Clarion Car Audio, Pittsburgh-based Freedom Wireless operates 50 retail stores in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In addition to wireless phones and service, Freedom Wireless also retails satellite television and radio products such as Dish Network, XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Over 13 years, Freedom has reinvented itself from an outside sales organization to an award-winning retail sales organization.
In October 2005, Freedom was again recognized as the "Verizon Wireless Agent of the Year" for the Pennsylvania/Ohio region. Freedom was also honored by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2004 and 2005 as one of the top 100 privately owned companies in Western Pennsylvania.
The Business Times also recognized Freedom as the fastest growing company in retail/wholesale distribution in the same classification, beating out local legends such as Giant Eagle Grocery Stores and 84 Lumber Co. Today, Freedom is the largest Verizon Wireless Agent in the Pennsylvania/Ohio region.
Freedom is one of the largest Cellular One Agents in the Northeast region, operating stores in northwest Pennsylvania and Youngstown, Ohio, in which both the Cellular One and Verizon Wireless products are available. Remaining Ohio and Pennsylvania stores sell exclusively for Verizon Wireless.
Freedom Wireless' impressive achievements are the result of aggressive salesmanship combined with excellence in customer service, according to Vice President Robert Lafon.
"Our salespeople spend a lot of time prospecting making follow-up calls and building relationships with the individuals, families and businesses who use our products. Our employees' hard work is the key to Freedom Wireless' success," he said.
The relationship building doesn't end with the sale. Providing complete service after the sale, Freedom Wireless is committed to sustaining long-term customer satisfaction.
"We offer our customers one-stop shopping for their wireless telephone needs," Lafon says. "Whether they need a new device or a change in their service plan, we strive to give them the best possible shopping and service experience. We don't just sell hardware and contracts. We sell solutions."
Its stores feature the largest selection of devices and accessories of any retailer — everything from simple, basic phones to state-of-the-art multifunction devices.
"We are very excited about the future of the 'third screen' (after the television and computer) in people's daily lives," Lafon says. "Content providers and manufacturers are collaborating on amazing all-in-one devices. Users will have high-speed access to documents and photos, music, television, e-mail and the Internet in one wireless device. Wireless phones are becoming much more than just communication tools. They will be used for entertainment and expanded work functions as well."
