For the third edition of the Wish Group Alumni series I have the pleasure of introducing you to Luciano DiMatteo, President of Wish Mobile. Luc brings 18 years of Bell Mobility and wireless experience to the Wish Group. Luciano began his career at Bell within the customer service group and quickly enhanced his title and knowledge for the business. His expertise in wireless products, sales growth and corporate account management come highly visible. For the past 12 years, he has been an active member within the Bell Mobility corporate space ensuring top sales, enterprise solutions and overall client support. With Luciano’s commitment to the business, his formula and vision for success is simple. He believes in treating people with respect, being responsive and ensuring that all team members share in the same goals. He is passionate to convey this formula to his staff. Luciano believes that when people are happy, they perform. “Fit is key to joining the Wish Mobile team and if people want to be a part of an organization where they feel they can grow, then this is the place for them.” The ultimate goal – with the right partners – is to focus on corporate and vision aligned, to push Wish Mobile to become Bell Mobility’s largest and most successful dealer in the country.
1. How did your relationship with Frank and the Wish Group influence or inspire you to get into business for yourself?
Firsthand experience is priceless and watching Frank’s vision succeed, his intellectual abilities, honorable friendship and passion were all on the forefront. I love being around people like Frank that take great interest in what they are doing in their lives and strive for success. Seeing Frank succeed in many ways and sharing similarities in where we want to go, was a huge part of my decision and inspiration to get into business.
2. Which entrepreneur (past or present) do you admire most and why?
Robert Herjavec has to be tops. We all know him as one of Canada’s most recognizable business leaders who has built and sold business on his way to amassing a personal fortune of over $100 million dollars. A first generation immigrant, Robert arrived in Halifax at age 8 with his parents after escaping communism in Yugoslavia. With one suitcase, little prospects, $20, no understanding of English but with unlimited dreams Robert has experienced the classic rags to riches, immigrant story. Here is a man who started by delivering newspapers, waiting on tables, and launching a computer company from his basement. He clearly exudes immense energy and ambition with outstanding success.
3. What is your company and what was the motivation to start it?
My company is Wish Mobile, founded in April 2009 with Frank. We are an authorized dealer of Bell, and we are dedicated to enhancing service level requirements for corporate partnerships. Partnered with Canada’s largest communications company, we provide consumers with solutions to all their communication needs including telephone services, wireless communications, high-speed internet, digital television and voice over IP.
Wish Mobile began its partnership with Bell Mobility in 1991, then known as ET Cellular. Since inception we have been dedicated to providing unparalleled levels of service for all of our individual and corporate clients. Our team of professionals are dedicated to our national accounts and believe in providing our customers with the highest level of service. Considered to be some of the most knowledgeable in the industry, our staff will provide the right solutions to all your wireless needs at only the best competitive prices.
Motivation came quick and natural when I joined Bell Mobility in 1992. Instantly wireless became my passion which I have held close to my heart for many years and I have never looked back. I have accomplished many successes here from the front line trenches to the executive world. Becoming a business owner or “motivation to start it” was a natural evolution in my career path. Being able to do this with Frank was a vision we both experienced about 5 years ago. Together we shared many similarities, clients, knowledge of the telecom space and most importantly, passion.
4. What is the vision for the company in 5 years
WE want to be recognized as one of the leading wireless partners in the communication space and have a national presence.
5. How did you raise the capital to start the business?
With Frank’s successes in past businesses, he was willing to invest in a business idea, people and a vision for success. Frank invested a majority of the capital to start up this business.
6. What is the most successful sales / marketing strategy you’ve ever used?
Brand awareness is critical and having the staff that speaks it is equally important. Find out simple basics on how to begin managing a sales team. Learn what is needed to help support your sales force. Whether you are self-managing your own sales team or have hired a sales manager to do it for you, you will want to know more about sales management 101 in order to increase your effectiveness. Today, I would have to say that our most success is coming from our new marketing efforts and strategic sales team. Because the Wish Group is a diversified body of multiple companies, we share hundreds of clients and being able to cross sell into the books has shown tremendous success.
7. What other lessons have you learned that other young entrepreneurs could benefit from?
You need to take the good with the bad. Experience is not what happens to you but what you do with it when it happens. It is very important to never lose focus and to keep striving for the next levels. As you grow, be sure to hire in a smart way. Ensuring that you have the right fit to your culture will be key in the ongoing success the company breeds.
