7 minute read
Wireless Zone
Family Franchise parTners Thrive
WiTh leaDing Wireless reTail Franchisor
Authorized Verizon franchisor, Wireless Zone, boasts several family businesses that add to its already impressive and evergrowing wireless retail portfolio across the U.S.
Family businesses are prevalent throughout all industries, with 78% creating new jobs in the U.S. workforce and 60% of American workers being employed by them, according to a SCORE study.
Wireless Zone, the largest authorized Verizon franchisor with more than 450 locations nationwide, is proud to support 13 family business partners.
Of those family business franchisees, are the Swackhammers, Benders and Razas, who have been Wireless Zone store owners for 33 years collectively. While each family has had unique journeys to store ownership, their success has contributed to Wireless Zone’s greater mission of having each retail location make a positive and sustainable impact on its of employees, customers and greater communities.
the swackhammers – Jas technology and swack Bros
For Jeffrey Swackhammer, Jr. and his brother Tim of Pittsburgh, Penn., the road to co-owning JAS Technology and Swack Bros with their father began by learning through numerous leaders at a young age. The two’s father, Jeffrey Sr., opened the family’s first authorized Verizon store in 2006 where his sons were able to get their glimpses of business ownership firsthand. The brothers would not only learn from their father, but also from a variety of prominent business leaders by listening to business talk radio while riding in the car. The two studied what made each leader successful and what they could take from
Jeffrey Swackhammer, Jr.
each to use when they would someday become business owners themselves.
When both were seeking their business degrees, the brothers worked in various roles across their father’s stores, including sales and eventually serving as store managers, to gain valuable experience. “This helped us both understand how each part of our stores contribute to the overall bottom line,” Jeffrey, Jr. said. “Once the business began to scale up organically, we both had to take on larger responsibilities, and this early experience was vital in giving us the confidence to do so.” The brothers joined their father at the top a few years later, with the family trio consistently growing the business’ presence across the eastern portions of the U.S.
During the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic, the Swackhammers were able to navigate any challenges. The family even purchased a cluster of stores in Ohio and have doubled their success since. Maybe more importantly, they kept their staff fully intact, in which Jeffrey Jr. equates to the value system put in place that has trickled down throughout the company. “We go by the phrase, ‘treat your employees as family and they’ll treat you like family,’” he says. “We go around to our stores frequently to meet with our employees and create connections with them. What started with me, Tim and our father, has made its way throughout everyone. We all implicitly trust each other, and we make sure everyone’s taken care of.”
Today, the Swackhammers operate 20 wireless retail locations across four U.S. states, making them one of the largest franchisees for Wireless Zone. Moving forward, the family is looking to expand their portfolio within their current store regions, while continuing to keep customers connected with their networks through the premier devices and solutions offered by Verizon.
ryan Bender – Wireless Group holdings, llc.
Ryan Bender of Rochester, NY, always wanted to be like his father, dreaming of one day owning the family business of Wireless Group Holdings. Ryan’s dad started Wireless Group Holdings in 2007 with hopes that his children would grow the Bender name and family business into the next generation. While Ryan idolized his dad and desired the same of his future, he took a little bit of a different step as he accrued experience and climbed up the ladder.
Ryan Bender
During his collegiate years, Ryan joined the sales team so he could get his feet wet but made sure none of his colleagues knew how exactly he was affiliated with the company. “I didn’t want anyone to know my dad was the owner of the business,” said Bender. “I wanted to make a name for myself and prove I belonged here, rather than getting the opportunity simply because of my father.”
While he distanced himself from being known as the boss’ son among his peers, Ryan made sure to take in advice and knowledge from his dad as he transitioned up the company. “The coaching he provided was very helpful as I was able to learn from the outside of how to effectively run a business,” Ryan said. “Understanding each part of our business was super beneficial as I took on new roles.”
Ryan quickly rose from sales to store manager of the location he started at, followed by becoming the district manager across five of the company’s southern district stores. This provided Ryan his first real experience of what owning Wireless Group Holdings would look like as he continued his dream path. Then finally, earlier this year after serving as Vice President, that day had finally arrived. Ryan was able to buy out his dad and became Wireless Group Holdings’ owner, which brought him immense joy and pride to accomplish the dream he had set out years ago.
Today, Ryan and Wireless Group Holdings operate 10 of Wireless Zone’s 35 Empire State stores, but they’re not done yet. Bender mentions his main goal moving forward is expansion growth, looking specifically for opportunities of growing his portfolio in neighboring states outside of New York, continuing Wireless Zone’s expansive presence in the northeast.
the razas – far Wireless llc
For all intents and purposes, Faris and Raz Raza of Conroe, Texas, are living the American Dream. The brothers moved to the United States from United Arab Emirates with their family when they were teenagers, eager for new opportunities. Their father made his mark on the wireless retail industry, quickly becoming an owner
Faris Raza Raz Raza
of several Verizon retail stores after the move. Faris and Raz aspired to follow in their father’s footsteps, and two years ago, took their shot. In the middle of the pandemic, two Wireless Zone stores in Texas became available for purchase. While the retail industry was one of the most impacted during the pandemic, Faris and Raz sought the opportunity to follow their dreams to become business owners. The Razas immediately saw success with their two stores, during a time most retail stores were plummeting. Within one year, one of their store locations became a top performer in the Wireless Zone franchise, experiencing growth of over 100%. In addition to stellar store performance, the Razas implemented innovative wireless offerings that addressed customer needs. Both stores opened mobile hotspots for customers who were without internet in the early stages of the remote era so they could work and complete schoolwork.
Faris and Raz have goals to expand their Wireless Zone portfolio across Texas, while still operating their top-performing stores in the Lone Star State.
The Swackhammers, Benders and Razas have built and maintained success across the ultra-competitive wireless market, thanks to their business expertise, as well as the best-in-class support and resources offered by Wireless Zone. One of the premier wireless retailers for more than 30 years, Wireless Zone ensures each franchisee is well-equipped to start their business strong, thrive in the saturated market and are properly prepared for unforeseen challenges. Wireless Zone’s support for their franchisees has led to them being named to multiple Entrepreneur Magazine franchise award, Franchise Time’s Top 500 list and Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise Satisfaction Awards, among others.
For more information on franchise opportunities with Wireless Zone and the company’s premier franchisee support system, please visit www. wirelesszone.com. You can also connect with the company on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
