Paul Gpmes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Paul , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of the moments that really stayed with me was helping a family of five last year who came to sell all their devices to raise money for their uncle’s funeral. I had experienced the loss of a family member myself, so I understood how heavy that moment was for them. I made the choice to pay them the highest amount I could, even if it meant making no profit at all. For me, this business has always been about more than profi, it’s about human connection and being there for people when they need it most.
In the past few months, with inflation putting pressure on so many households, I’ve seen firsthand how what I do can become a lifeline helping families cover rent, mortgage payments, or even school supplies for their kids. Those are the moments that make me proud and remind me that my work has a real impact beyond just buying and selling devices.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Paul, a Southern California native who grew up during a time when gang violence was a constant reality in my community. Navigating that environment was never easy, and the fear of being harmed outside my own home was always in the back of my mind. Despite those challenges, I was fortunate to meet mentors who saw potential in me and encouraged me to keep moving forward.
As someone who struggled in school early on, I learned to adapt, persevere, and rise again after every setback. Those experiences shaped my ability to face the challenges of rising inflation, teaching me the true value of hard work in a time when the cost of living continues to climb. They also strengthened my belief that I have a responsibility to support my community during difficult times. History has shown that in moments of hardship, it’s those who unite that overcome the greatest obstacles.
I founded SaleUsediPhone with a mission that goes far beyond simply buying and selling devices. Yes, we purchase used phones even broken or damaged ones but our real focus is on helping people in urgent situations. Whether it’s a family needing quick cash for an emergency or someone who simply no longer needs their old device, we strive to make the process fast, fair, and stress-free.
What makes us unique is our role in the device ecosystem. Instead of letting phones collect dust or end up as e-waste, we get them into the hands of people who truly need them, often at prices far lower than what major carriers offer. Many carriers pressure customers to buy brand-new devices and refuse damaged ones during upgrades but we see value where others don’t, giving these devices a second life.
We pride ourselves on speed and responsiveness. In most cases, we can purchase a device within 1–2 hours of a customer texting or calling us with the right information. We understand that in emergencies, time is everything, and we work hard to meet people as quickly as possible. At its core, our brand is about community, accessibility, and turning unused devices into tools that can make a real difference in someone’s life.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that I’m ready to release is the belief that I have to do everything alone to make an impact. Steve Jobs once said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” I’ve realized that changing the world isn’t a solo mission it’s something we achieve by working together, each contributing our unique strengths.
At SaleUsediPhone, our vision is rooted in that same belief. We’re not just buying and selling devices we’re creating a network where unused or broken phones find their way into the hands of people who truly need them. It’s about collaboration, community, and shared purpose. Our impact has been felt in the lives of many individuals facing hardship from providing quick cash for food, to helping cover rent, to simply giving people the means to get by.
In a time when inflation continues to strain households, we’ve become a stepping stone for those in urgent need, offering fair prices and fast transactions so they can address life’s immediate challenges. When we come together customers, sellers, and our team we turn what others might see as old or worthless into tools that connect, empower, and create opportunity.
Letting go of the lone-wolf mindset opens the door to a future where we work side by side to support our communities and build a better world, one device and one connection at a time.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Something I’ve changed my mind about is that it’s okay to fail. In fact, I’ve come to see failure as the closest thing we have to perfection because it gives us the chance to improve. It’s not about how we fall, but how we get back up.
At my company, we’ve learned that failure is an essential part of success. From buying a device that didn’t work out, to discovering what products or strategies can truly succeed, every misstep has taught us something valuable. We’re still learning every day exploring new electronics, services, and opportunities that can help us better serve our community.
Failure isn’t the end of the road; it’s just a step toward making a bigger impact.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
In today’s world, a lot of people even some of the smartest are missing the biggest piece of the puzzle. True success isn’t measured by personal achievements alone, but by the impact you have on others, your community, and the world around you.
We’re living in a time where politics and division dominate the conversation, and we’ve lost sight of what America is truly about. The America I grew up in was about taking care of one another and working together to improve our lives. That spirit has faded, and it’s something we urgently need to bring back especially when the world feels chaotic.
A wise person once told me, “Be the beacon of light for others.” I believe that now more than ever. If we focus less on competing for individual success and more on lifting each other up, we can rebuild the unity and compassion that make communities and nations truly strong.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was someone who used my life and my work to make a real difference in the lives of others. That I didn’t just run a business, but built a bridge between need and opportunity taking devices that others no longer wanted and getting them into the hands of people who truly needed them.
I want to be remembered as someone who understood that success isn’t just about profit, it’s about impact. That in a time of rising costs and economic hardship, I was able to help families put food on the table, pay rent, or simply get through another day.
I hope they tell the story of a kid from Southern California who grew up in a tough environment, faced challenges, and still chose to give back who believed that unity, compassion, and community could overcome division and chaos. And most of all, I hope they say I was a light for others, proving that even the smallest actions can ripple out to change lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saleusediphones.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saleusediphone
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saleusediphones
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sell-used-iphone-los-angeles
