MY JOURNEY_
The Early Days
My entrepreneurial spirit started young. I was obsessed with games like RollerCoaster Tycoon and Lemonade Stand, where I learned to build, manage, and grow something from scratch. The thrill of seeing just how big I could grow something stuck with me.
In high school, I wanted a job like my friends, but my packed schedule made that impossible. So, I got creative. During my freshman year, I bought a cracked iPhone 5 for $30, spent $25 on a replacement screen, and fixed it with the help of a YouTube tutorial. That first repair was a lightbulb moment. If a repair shop charged $100, why couldn’t I undercut them, make money, and still offer a better deal?
The phone repair business was born.
Starting My First Business
I began by fixing phones for friends with two rules: I wouldn't charge for labor, and if I broke it, I’d replace it. They became my hype men, and word spread fast that I fixed screens. My classmates started referring me to their friends, and my reputation for affordable, trustworthy repairs grew.
I didn’t waste time worrying about logos, LLCs, or websites. That would've slowed me down. My brand was me. I called it "Pace’s Phone Repair" because when people asked, “Who’s the phone guy?” they’d know exactly who to call.
I learned how to stand out. I offered loaner phones to clients so they wouldn’t miss a beat while I fixed theirs. I added personal touches like free screen protectors and a solid unboxing experience. These small details turned customers into loyal fans.
By senior year, my business was booming. I had bumper stickers in the school parking lot, kids wearing my shirts in the hallways, and people driving over 40 minutes just to have me fix their phones.
Lessons Learned
Not every moment was smooth. A screen shortage during the iPhone 6 era forced me to get creative. I discovered a company that refurbished cracked screens for a fraction of the cost, allowing me to offer better quality and higher margins.
But by the time I graduated, the golden age of phone repair was fading. Apple made it harder for third-party repair businesses to thrive, and margins shrank. I sold off my remaining inventory before leaving for a two-year church mission.
From Phones to a Career
When I returned home, I pursued a degree in Management Information Systems, which was a perfect blend of my love for business and technology. My favorite part of college wasn’t just the classes; I loved being a tour guide and campus ambassador, where I could hype up the things I loved and get people stoked about my passions.
After graduation, I accepted a management role at an international grocery chain. The fast-paced, high-pressure environment taught me more than I could have imagined: handling employee challenges, emergencies, and even tornado damage. Although I learned a ton, I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do forever.
Now, I work for a bank in a steady, drama-free role. It’s a refreshing change, and I love the people I work with. Is this my forever career? I don’t know yet, but I’m happy with the journey I’m on.
The Entrepreneurial Spark Lives On
Even now, I can’t shake my entrepreneurial spirit. The lessons I learned from Pace’s Phone Repair still fuel my drive to build and create. But one thing I’ve always known about myself is that I see value differently than most people. Even in high school, I found ways to live the same life as my classmates but for way less. When I got into the working world, I realized something that blew my mind. My colleagues, who made the same money as me, had way less and spent way more on the same things. That never made sense to me.
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that if I see people overspending on something, you know I’m going to find a better way. Whether it’s scoring a $90 polo for $4 online or renting a car from a top brand for an entire week for under $75, I’ve mastered the art of getting more for less. That’s why I’m launching Thrifty to Thriving to share all my secrets on how to live a life of luxury without the luxury price tag. If you want to learn how to stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality, stay tuned for more.