A love of the telecommunications industry began early in life for Julie Drake, president and owner of Jewel Technology Services, Inc. “When I was 12 and got my first phone, I broke it on purpose six months later just so I could go out and get the cool new one I saw at the store. I was constantly buying the next best phone. Now that I have to pay for them myself, I don’t do that anymore,” she said.
The Peoria native put that passion to use by earning a degree in communications from Southern Illinois University and then moving into the telecommunications field when she was hired as a customer service representative at a local communications company. “I spent eight years there and moved quickly from customer service to outside sales/marketing and project management,” Drake said.
She left a long-standing equipment sales job in 2002 to pursue an industry other than telecommunications. “However, shortly after that, I was realized I missed the telecommunications industry and wanted to get back into it,” Drake said. “I also knew I had no desire to sell equipment again. At the same time, a former—and now current—client was guided to my door. He called to ask if I would help his brother’s company service a client need. The client was building a new building and needed help with the purchase of a phone system. I gently reminded him I no longer sold equipment, and he said, ‘That’s exactly why I want you to help him. You can help him without selling him something, and you can make sure he gets what he really needs.’”
And so, with her husband’s help, Jewel Technology was born. “I married into a family of entrepreneurs. My husband helped start and now helps run a successful family business. He’s a strong supporter in many ways. I couldn’t do what I do without his business vision, time, and understanding,” she said.
As the owner, Drake said her tasks vary, but she essentially spends her days working for her customers. “I’m often interacting with local vendors, local and long-distance telephone companies, and manufacturer representatives to ensure my clients’ needs are being met. I’m usually involved in at least one cost audit where I’m performing an inventory of a company’s lines and equipment, assessing the functionality of those services, and working with their vendors to streamline monthly costs. The one thing I can say I love about what I do is that the days are never mundane; no day is the same.”
Similarly, she said none of her clients is the same. “I have clients of all sizes and shapes, crossing many different vertical markets. One thing they have in common is that they all need help. Some have needed assistance because they don’t possess the in-depth knowledge to search for or evaluate a phone system proposal or a service/equipment bill or contract. Others ask to have an additional resource on a project. While they have the knowledge to handle the project alone, they didn’t have the time to accomplish the new project and their daily tasks. My clients are all commercial clients, and they’ve had anywhere from 10 to 280 phones in their business, spanning from government to medical to banking.”
Drake said her help is essential because many managers and owners go through a building project in a fog. “There are many decisions to be made—from the color of the brick to the color of the bathroom sink. Then, all of a sudden, they think about moving the phone lines, choosing a new phone system, or migrating an existing system and are overwhelmed. They call me and know that once they discuss their company’s plans and needs with me, I can take care of the rest. I develop a specification that vendors can use to submit a competitive price. After I receive the vendors’ proposals, I give them a synopsis of each vendor’s/system’s strengths and weaknesses using customer-friendly language. My goal is to make sure every client receives the information necessary to make a wise choice on equipment, services, and vendors. A proposal is much more than the bottom dollar price.”
After all these years, Drake said she’s still excited about her work. “I really can’t explain it except to say the industry has always fascinated me, and I never get tired of learning about new technologies, which is a good thing because they’re constantly evolving.”
The biggest misperception people have is that Jewel Technology can install a phone system. “I don’t sell or install any equipment,” she said. “I work on the side of a client in a way very similar to an architect on a building. I assess their needs, write an RFP if needed, and make sure they establish a relationship with the vendor best able to take care of their needs.”
And then there’s the name of her company. “The other misconception is that I design custom jewelry—this question only happens in a large circle of women. When thinking of what to name the company, I wanted something catchy and not boring like my name, but I also didn’t want to box myself in. However, it didn’t occur to me that using ‘Jewel,’ my longtime nickname, would conjure up jewelry questions. I’ve come to love the question because then it gives me an opportunity to explain what I really do.”
Drake said the best part of her career is helping her clients. “Maintaining my independence is the most challenging and the easiest at the same time. I’m often approached by suppliers to ‘rep’ for them or help them sell their service for return compensation on the number of clients I bring them. The independence of Jewel Technology Services, Inc. is my number one priority. I simply tell them that in the best interests of my clients, I can’t accept their kind invitation. I also let them know the best way to establish a lasting relationship with me and my company is to give the clients I bring them the best service they possibly can.”
Which, in turn, assists in Drake’s long-term goal. “When people in Illinois think about their phone equipment or service, I want them to call Jewel Technology Services, Inc., knowing there will be a top-notch consultant ready to assist them. I have exceptional colleagues I partner with in state and out of state, and I’ll continue to build relationships and the business as needed to ensure my clients’ needs are always met.” TPW