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<div id="pastingspan1">Darren Fortner has experienced both ends of the spectrum in the business world from owning a <a href="http://www.wirelesszone.com/franchise-opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wireless-zone-franchisee-profile-darren-fortner-2863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wireless Zone</a> independently to evolving into a successful franchisee.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>For the past 20 years, Fortner has watched the brand grow into a successful franchise system with plans to expand in the upcoming year. While he was in college, Fortner started his career at his family&#8217;s <a href="http://wirelesszone.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wireless-zone-franchisee-profile-darren-fortner-2863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wireless Zone</a> location as a Sales Associate. Little did he know he was preparing for his future career.  After working in the corporate industry for a few years, Fortner took the offer to come on board with his stepfather and mother at their Wireless Zone location.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> Tell us a little bit about your background.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> I graduated Ball State University and thought I wanted to have a career in education. I changed my mind in the eleventh-hour and got involved with my families&#8217; business, Wireless Zone, throughout college and obtained my bachelor&#8217;s degree in history. We had just started the business while I was in college and I worked in the business for about a year. After college, I went on and gained professional experience at Dana Corporation working as a logistics manager.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Over the years I knew I wanted to eventually start my own business and I was having dinner with my stepfather and mom, who asked my wife and I to purchase the business. We both agreed it would be a good avenue to take and that was that.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> Why did you choose to become a franchisee with Wireless Zone? How did you learn about the brand?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> At that point, we felt the road of going independent made strategic sense. We felt franchising was where the future was. Wireless Zone made the most since because I didn&#8217;t have to sell the business.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> Where did you get most of your advice/do most of your research?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> I took a lot of time to research the industry and did a lot of research on my own to see what opportunities were out there for us.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> What were your perceptions of franchising before starting the process?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> I think I had a positive view on franchising, I wasn&#8217;t starting from scratch and I knew the business. Now it was time to expand which every business owner wants to see.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> What&#8217;s next for you and your business? Do you have any development/expansion plans with the brand?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> We are awaiting a few changes to take place in the franchise system and definitely looking to expand in 2016.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>NLA:</strong> Is there anything else that might be interesting about you, your business, or any of your team members?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>DF:</strong> People always find us unique. We have a low turnover it&#8217;s because we have a solid culture and employees can make a good income and set up for their future.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>For more information about Wireless Zone <a href="http://wirelesszone.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wireless-zone-franchisee-profile-darren-fortner-2863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

1851 Franchise

Fortner started out as a sales associate and now is a Wireless Zone Franchisee.

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