Smart50 rank: 23
Revenue: $5,287,656
Growth: 79.34%
Founders: Graeme Kelly, 39, Alex Kontouris, 39
Head Office: Victoria
Employees: 5
Industry: Telecommunications
Website: www.partnertelecom.com.au
It’s not patchy economic conditions or upheavals in the telecommunications sector that keeps industry veterans Graeme Kelly and Alex Kontouris up at night.
The pair, who founded Partner Wholesale Networks in 2007, has already weathered the birth of the National Broadband Network and the advanced plans to structurally separate Telstra. Recent economic jitters have also not held back Partner Wholesale Network.
So what is it that keeps Kelly and Kontouris thinking in the wee hours? The thrill of winning the next customer.
They may well have lost a bit of sleep in the last 12 months, with solid contracts wins pushing 2010-11 revenue to $5.29 million, and annual revenue forecasts of $30 million by 2015.
The pair formerly operated Clever Communications (previously known as Saise Telecom) but launched Partner in 2007 with a new business model that allows telco dealers or agents to become their own service provider. They acquired rival Auz Telecom in December 2010 to speed up their growth.
When it comes to generating new ideas, Kelly and Kontouris say they start the day religiously with an 8am coffee and chat, and also like to talk with other company leaders.
Their advice for fellow entrepreneurs is simple: follow your passion and get moving.
“Get involved with product or industry that you are passionate about. Don't spend too much time with Excel spread sheets, get out there and sign up your first 20 customers, then the first 100, then first 500 and so on. Processes and policies will then follow.”
