The Cell Phone Guy
As a child, Kevin Lambrecht could be found under the belly of a car, covered in grease with his dad. His dad was a mechanic and Kevin learned to fix complex motor problems by an early age. Kevin’s dad wasn’t just car smart, he had insight and intuition that can’t be taught. In 1982 his dad purchased him a commodore 64, for those of you scratching your head like I was, it is one of the first-ever models of home computers. His dad’s gift was strategic. “My dad did not want me to be a mechanic like him, he was a smart guy and he saw before anyone else that the future was in electronics,” says Kevin. He saw a better future for his son in computers.
Originally from Chicago, Kevin moved to Louisiana and joined the Air Force as an air traffic controller, a natural fit for Kevin. He soon became the “go-to” guy at his base for anything electronics. Kevin left the Air Force in 1996 and moved back to his mom's small town in Tennessee.. He bought a home and welcomed his first son into the world. Something else was born that year, Kevin’s first business operating in his basement. He quickly grew that basement store into 4 retail stores around Tullahoma. His business was growing and thriving but what he didn’t know was life was about to hit the brakes on his plans. His son’s mother left, leaving Kevin as the sole provider for their son. He was forced to close his stores and take a step back from life as an entrepreneur to make sure he did the best for his son.
Eventually, when life felt secure enough, he opened another retail store. His business evolved into a video game and computer store. It was the largest independently owned video game store in the country. In 2008, Kevin began to see a trend within the mobile phone industry. He knew there was a need for repairs. Being a natural with electronics, he taught himself how to fix phones and added the service to his thriving business. In 2013, he sold his video game and computer store and shifted his focus entirely to repairing electronics. His new entity, fittingly named The Cell Phone Guy was created.
Kevin is motivated by freedom and his ability to help people as a business owner. “My real happiness is when I can help people who need the help.” He recalled stories like the elderly women who needed repairs but had no means so he did it complimentary and a single mom who started a new job in a week so he let her defer payment until then, and so many more.
Kevin wants to eventually write a book about his business adventures to inspire others not to hold back when dreaming about starting a business. “If you’re working for yourself you are making your dreams come, if you’re working for someone else you’re making their dreams come true.” He continued. “Jump in the water, you either float or sink….you will sink at some point. But you will figure it out.”
He followed is own advice and “just jump-in” mentality when introduced to Certified Cell’s consignment inventory program. Kevin had never sold devices but thought why not? “Certified Cell is risk-free so it’s perfect for someone like me testing the waters,” he said. And now that he has a proven sales track record with Certified Cell’s program he reflects on how easy it is “I’m just one person and Certified Cell’s process is so easy. The process is automated. I don’t need to think much,” says Kevin.
To learn more about his business visit: www.tncellphoneguy.com