AERN home > Success stories > Choctaw Wireless, Butler, Alabama, Fall 2007
From Old-Timey to High Tech, Businesswoman Just Couldn't Stay Away from Ownership
Linda Gibson, who operated a country store for 36 years, just had to get back into owning a business. And she did so by taking a 180-degree turn.
With the help of AERN partner Nancy Gibson (no relation), executive director of the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce and Community Development Foundation, and the AERN resources at the Chamber, she is now the proud owner of Choctaw Wireless, 520 East Pushmataha Street (Highway 10) in Butler.
Members of her staff are Karen Downey, Brittany Beacton and Tonia Grice (Linda's daughter). Linda says she is especially proud of her service-minded staff.
Business owners will tell you ownership gets in your blood, but why the big change from milk and bread to cell phones, from household items to two-way radios?
"When you look at what people of all ages--from children to older adults--want, well, everybody has a cell phone," Linda said. "Technology is changing, and we wanted to bring the local touch we learned in the country store business to a new kind of retail business."
Choctaw Wireless sells SouthernLINC and Unicel, which has been purchased by Verizon, products along with the accessories that go with the full range of cell phones and related electronic devices.
"Our main job right now," Linda said, "is getting the word out in time for the Christmas shopping season." She said she was looking into qualifying for co-op advertising with her suppliers.
Linda was helped along the way by knowing the previous owner of Choctaw Wireless. "I went into the store one day to ask about her children. One thing led to another and we found out she wanted to sell and I wanted to buy."
Nancy Gibson was a big help, she said. "I attended sales tax and small business workshops that Nancy led and she also introduced me to a reference entitled How to Buy a Business," Linda said. "The AERN office answered my questions and helped me stay on course."
The new management has been in place about two months. "We are now making sure we stock the most popular items and accessories that go with this kind of business," Linda said.
From AERNews, Vol. 7, No. 3, Fall 2007