As James Connor discussed his business with us, we learned about his motivations for starting his own company, his vast experience in the cell phone business and how he has never felt the urge to give up, despite the difficulties that have come up along the way.
Let’s start from the beginning. What made you want to start your own business?
James Connor: I like the idea of being in control of my own destiny. To be in charge of my own opportunities and to have flexibility and not be tied down in a particular spot or place.
How would you describe My Broken Phone to a new customer?
James Connor: My Broken Phone does primarily cell phone repair services, but we are also a retail and service environment. We buy and sell phones and sell accessories.
How did you end up finding your niche?
James Connor: I had been in the cell phone accessory business since ’99 and was a bit frustrated with the overhead in the mall, and frustrated with the quality and accessibility of cell phone repair services. Everyone has a cell phone, and I saw a need in the marketplace for these services. Opened my first location and then it sprang boarded from there!
What can you tell us about your own background, education and work history?
James Connor: While I was a loyal and dedicated employee for one company for 15-plus years, I have always been looking for that perfect opportunity to empower myself. I have taken business classes in the past however have gained most of my knowledge through life experiences. I have always been interested in technology, which makes this business a perfect fit.
Can you tell us what steps you took to acquire the skills needed to run a company like My Broken Phone?
James Connor: Worked mostly in the cell phone accessory side, and then was a natural fit moving into the repair side of things. I looked for the best techs in the area and developed my own methods and repair techniques.
Over the past year, have any unexpected obstacles crept up along the way?
James Connor: Our biggest obstacle has probably been breaking the customers’ phones while trying to fix them. All phones are difficult to repair in the beginning, but once you do a few they become easier to fix.
Do you have a set business plan?
James Connor: No, no business plan. I originally started as an accessories boutique and selling unlocked phones, but then began to progress into mostly repairs and as well as buying, selling and trading phones.
Lastly, everyone knows that starting a business can be trying. Has there ever been a time that you thought about throwing it in?
James Connor: No. I never wanted to give up and am excited to watch My Broken Phone grow and succeed.
Based out of Riverview, Florida, My Broken Phone stands ready to handle every potential need that a customer could have, from buying and selling cell phones to repairs of all kinds.