906 Technologies in Marquette is a small company that has achieved large success in a relatively short time--and one you'll definitely want to keep your eye on.
Lee Francisco was just 26 years old when he founded
906 Technologies in Marquette.
The fledgling business had two part-time employees in 2005 serving about 30 clients, according to Francisco.
By 2009, that number had swelled to nearly 300 clients--among them home users and businesses large and small. That's the year Francisco, the CEO, decided he needed to join his staff--which had jumped to five full-time employees--and be on hand during daily operations. He left his position as a PC technician at Northern Michigan University to work alongside them full-time.
"Before that I'd work all day at NMU and then go straight to 906," he says. "I worked from 8 a.m. until midnight between the two."
By 2013, Francisco found his company listed among the
state's 50 companies to watch on the Michigan Celebrates Small Business' annual award roster. Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a Grand Rapids-based organization that exists to advocate for--and celebrate--successful entrepreneurs who want to continue their growing success. The organization has served as a catalyst and a champion helping people all over the state for a decade.
That boost was one key to the success of a company that still serves as a computer repair service for local homes and businesses, but also develops web sites and custom mobile apps for clients all over the world, with a concentration in the fields of retail, insurance and health care..
"It definitely got us noticed," Francisco says. "We have been fortunate enough to have opportunities like this and to have contacts with the right people."
Looking ahead, Francisco says by the year's end, 906 Technologies will have fully developed an app created for the benefit of nonprofit organizations.
"It's a mobile app that will be free for nonprofits and charities," he says. "It's designed to help them engage youth."
He's also in the development stages of a mobile app for school districts everywhere--one that will help schools keep parents, students and the public apprised of events like sports games and others.
"It's a public app that people will be able to use to find out all about the schools, too," Francisco says, which would include accolades like teachers of the year and other awards, as well as statistics such as MEAP scores and more.
Now 35 years old, Francisco has fulfilled a professional aspiration he's aimed toward all of his life.
"My parents [and mentors] have always been business owners--they owned restaurants. I grew up with the goal that I would own my own business someday.
And now I do."
Kelle Barr is a 20-year veteran freelance journalist who lives with her family in Portage. Reach Kelle Barr at Kellebarr@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter: @BarrKelle.
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