Rowlett, TX Companies Thrive in Innovation
Marketing and IT companies earn clients recognition, reinforce communication networks
“Down here the economy is thriving. There are more opportunities than I can even think about handling,†says Mike Ross, president of 91 Media, a 5-year-old web design and internet marketing company that recently won the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award.
“Small business owners really struggle in the internet space because they don’t understand it, they don’t have time to learn it, and they really need somebody they can trust who will take good care of them and position them properly at a cost they can afford,” Ross says, explaining what inspired him to leave corporate America and launch his own company.
However, 91 Media’s emphasis on customer service isn’t the only reason the company is winning accolades and generating more than its share of business. It also recently introduced an innovative system designed to help small businesses generate online reviews on an ongoing basis.
“My focus is local search – helping businesses get found on Google – and reviews are one piece of that. The more reviews you have the better, but old reviews don’t carry as much weight, so you need fresh reviews coming in regularly,†Ross says.
To that end, he has created a text messaging tool designed to encourage positive customer reviews. If feedback is negative, the system emails the business owner with the complaint, in lieu of publishing a review.
Datatronic Control, Inc.
Yet another area business that helps its customers “get found†is Datatronic Control, Inc. (DCI), an LED digital sign manufacturer of indoor and outdoor displays and related products such as digital billboards, school and church signs, and marquees. What distinguishes DCI is that it’s “a high-technology, cutting-edge original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that specializes in custom requirements as opposed to mass production of a few commercial designs of digital displays. [We can offer] the highest brightness, widest viewing angle from the side, greatest color palette and comprehensive software,†says Barbara Onstott, vice president of marketing.
Other communications-oriented innovators also are a big part of the local economy. For one, Los Angeles-based TPx Communications, which delivers unified communications, managed IT and network connectivity to 80,000 customer locations around the U.S., has an office in the area.
H2 Systems Inc., celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, offers the design and build-out of structured voice and data cabling infrastructure, among other services. And, since 2011, HIB Technical Installation Services Inc. (HIB), has been providing solutions for the telecommunications and broadband industry in Texas.
Last but not least, Dallas IT Tech specializes in solving the technical problems that affect small businesses, including the design, build and deployment of technology services and software applications. Services include: virus, adware and malware removal; wired and wireless network installation and maintenance; and website design, hosting and performance tuning, as well as search engine optimization (SEO) and disaster recovery planning.
Rowlett: Business-Friendly
For his part, Ross expects that the Rowlett area will continue to be a great place to live and do business, thanks in part to its economic prosperity and the spirit of cooperation that exists between business owners.
“There are several business networking groups that have popped up with 30 to 50 people in a group, so business is really happening in the area,†he says.
Likewise, Onstott regards Rowlett as a great place to do business, thanks to its reliable labor pool and the fact that it’s well situated, with access to major roads and other businesses.
“Rowlett also has one of the most supportive city governments, which actually listens to and supports its business community. It’s exemplary,†she says.