Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Franklin.
Marcus, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In July of 1991 I joined the U.S. Army to become a Mobil Unit Telecom Operator. Serving 2.5 years active duty and 2 years reserve. From 1994-1996 I got my AAS in electronic engineering and during that time I landed a tech position in a network Cabling Company. I worked my way up from entry level to Project manager very quickly and stayed with that company 8.5 years.
I bounced around to a few companies that had some bad luck and went under causing a flood of the market. Suddenly I found myself interviewing for jobs but was told I was “Over Qualified” for the project management position. Someone I worked with Suggested I get my contractor’s license and so I got a job as a temp worker repairing fiber optics for the Arco Refinery while I studied for my exam. I passed it the 1st time and was on my way.
I started the company in 2005 having no business experience and little in the way of credit but I had built a good reputation as a tech and project manager. Suppliers who knew me from when I worked for other companies gave me lines of credit and discount pricing to get a leg up on everyone else. Somehow old clients found out I had started my own business and calls started slowly coming in. People who worked under me had moved on to become project managers in other companies that needed sub-contractors. They knew they could trust me to get the job done and so I became the go to guy for them.
The 1st three years business doubled. I had a diverse client base and things where great until 2009 when the economy took a turn on the down side. So in order to stay operational I started learning other things besides network cabling. As a company we trained more in audio video, surveillance cameras, access control, to become more of a one stop shop.
Over the years we’ve done jobs all over the U.S. and parts of Canada. We do jobs like install over 4500 fiber connections for Fasion Island in Newport Beach or install over 25 miles of cable for all the systems at the new Skechers HQ in Manhattan Beach and we still do small installation for residential and small business.
In 2013 I joined a Business networking group Southbay BNI. There I learned thing I didn’t know about how to grow my business and last year it all came together.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, through the years I’ve had to deal with shady contractors, crooked businesses, people not believing in me, and constant struggle of finding the right mix of crews to work together.
21st Century Network Cabling – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The base of my company is network cable installation. Now a days everything is networkable, so our specialty is complete installs of voice, data, video, audio, surveillance, and access control systems. What we are really know for and what sets us apart is how much we care about our work and doing a good job for our clients. What I’m most proud of is treating all my clients like they are my best client.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Keep moving forward, never stop learning, never give up, and be better than you were yesterday. Apply that attitude to your goals and success will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.21stnc.com
- Phone: 310-918-9840
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: http://m.me/21stnc
