Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Rials.
Emily, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a family owned telecom business, and it was never my plan to continue the tradition. I worked for the business all through school and on the weekends. Even after going to college and studying Marine Biology, I continued to work in telecom.
The more I learned about phones, cabling, and fiber optics the more it intrigued me. I eventually found that working for a family wasn’t best for our relationship and I went to work for another telecom company where I expanded my knowledge of phone systems and VoIP. After roughly 15 years of working for other companies, my husband and I branched off and started Cypress CT to offer customers something they couldn’t find – honest and reliable service.
The deepest value that I hold for my customers is support. I tried as hard as I could at other companies to always place the customer above all else, but unless you are the owner, then you can’t write those rules. I have acquired many certifications and have fought very hard in an industry that has very few women in it, to not be a “figure head” or just a woman-owned business for minority status – I am the technician and not just the owner.
I still deeply love climbing on a ladder, driving a man lift, and programming systems. I try to follow the sale from the beginning to the end: (1) make the sale by earning the trust of the client, (2) designing and installing the system, (3) training the customer in person, and (4) supporting them after its finished with changes or additions. It has been over five years now in business, and our company is so blessed to have the customers, the support from the community, and my family beside us.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road, however, it could’ve been a more difficult one I’m sure. Since I am a female in a mainly male-driven industry, I am constantly mistaken as a “salesperson” or just a “figure-head” and not as a legitimate certified and trained technician.
That being said, the hardest obstacle for me to overcome is to earn the trust in new customers that I actually am well trained and knowledgeable in this industry.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We focus primarily on phone systems (VoIP, Premise, and even out-of-date models) and structured cabling for commercial and industrial spaces. We also install firewalls/routers, managed network switches, and WiFi.
I was the first female master certified technician in the USA for ESI, I have previously supported Nortel before they were purchased by Avaya, and currently, prefer to install and maintain Mitel phone systems. Since Mitel is one of the leading brands in the world and they are strategically positioned in all four Gartner Quadrants, it is a very reliable system but requires a lot of skill to program its interface.
For cabling, we are very detailed oriented and have a very high expectation level out of our technicians. We install voice, data, audio/video, and fiber optic cabling (low voltage cabling). What sets us apart is our attention to detail, silly mistakes that other companies make we are very cautious of such as the easiest thing – labeling the cabling.
A lot of low voltage companies don’t do this simple thing that causes customers so much aggravation. Our attention to detail can be seen from the smallest of tasks to the most complex call center voice routes.
What were you like growing up?
I was a tom-boy (big surprise) I loved to climb every tree and ride every horse. I tended to be an over-achiever in school and involved myself in many clubs and activities from gymnastics and cheerleading to the band and German National Honor Society.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CypressCT.com
- Phone: 832-422-7655
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CypressCT
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
