Seeing the opportunity
As cell phones and pagers became accessible to more people, I saw the freedom wireless communication could offer: the ability to stay connected without being tied to a home or office phone. I wanted to be part of that change.
At 20 years old, after a few side hustles growing up, I started my first real business, Comtel, starting with five prepaid pagers, signed agent agreements with all four wireless carriers in the market, and began selling phones, pagers, and accessories on the road, serving individuals and business customers. Later, I opened an office in downtown Montreal.
Several carriers, one company
Customers could compare Bell Mobility, Rogers AT&T, Clearnet, and Fido, with advice based on their needs and budget rather than being steered toward one provider’s offer.
That was our point of difference: the customer had a choice, and the comparison was part of the service.
Bringing the comparison online
When printed flyers were still a familiar way to promote phone plans, I brought our comparison online. As company websites were becoming established, customers could explore plans from different carriers at home rather than rely only on what a salesperson put in front of them.
The website extended the same idea that shaped Comtel from the beginning: make the options easier to understand and let the customer choose what suited them.
Building relationships
Our downtown office served students arriving in Montreal for university, often with their parents as they settled into the city. Alongside phones and plans, I sold the accessories and devices people needed as mobile technology developed.
Comtel built a network of relationships that later connected me to event promotion and hospitality. It also established an approach I would carry into other businesses: recognize an opportunity, understand the customer, and make the offer more useful.
