Arie Pekar helps businesses streamline and upgrade their telecommunications systems while cutting costs

What is the origin story of your business? Tell us how and why you started — what inspired you?

I was serving the Greater Hamilton area with my security company Inforce Security Corp. We provided electronic security and IT services for several Jewish organizations. One day in 2011, one of my longtime customers asked me who I used to set up my phone system as he was in the market, I told him that being an IT guy, i built the phone system myself, to which he asked if i could build him one too. It was a new business venture for me but I thought of it more like a pet project for a friend then a business model i would grow. One month later, my father brought me an order for the Aboriginal Health Centres in Hamilton, Brantford and Niagara, with more than 100 phones. In 2017 I sold my security company for health and family reasons, but decided to continue servicing IT and Telecommunications clients on my own with a new smaller firm which I named Modern Telecom. Today Modern Telecom services the IT and telecommunications needs of all the same customers I once served for their security needs. It honours me greatly that my customer base trusts me with whatever services I can deliver. 

What does your business do, and who is your ideal client or customer?

Modern Telecom, founded in 2011, helps businesses advance their telecommunication systems by combining mobility, online control, infinite and immediate scalability, increased reliability and all at a reduced cost. We do this by removing the dusty equipment in your server room and instead giving you access to a world-class hosted PBX in the cloud. The concept of cloud computing is that all the back-end hardware stuff is hosted in our super-secure data centre. It sounds complicated, but in reality you’re looking at saving space, time, resources, insurance, and effort. With your traditional phone system, you’re held hostage by the threat of hardware failure, power surges, upgrade downtimes, technician call-out fees, and more. With Modern Telecom's hosted service we take care of everything for you - and we mean everything!

What do you love most about running your business?

Having had many businesses in the past, I have now learned the difference between a business you invest in to make money and one you work in that you love. I made money with Inforce Security Corp but I was not happy, After a time this weighs on you, i stopped believing in my product and became frustrated with my operations role having grown the company larger then I was capable of running myself. Selling Inforce was my way out to start fresh and design a role I would enjoy doing. With Modern Telecom, I'm able to have the same volume of business but with a boutique staff and infrastructure. This allows me to be front and center with the clients and the technology. I love technology and i love talking about it with clients, to retain this role in my own company I need to be boutique. My fresh start allowed me to build a business that would retain me in the role I wanted within that business, rather then being the guy that just puts out fires (worst role you can have if you own a business)

How can the community best support you?

I love to talk about tech, i love to network with people and study and learn their needs. I have a network of trade professionals I work with in Hamilton that after learning about a customers technology needs, i will either offer my services to them if i feel the relationship would be enjoyable to both parties, or i refer to one of my other technology trade professionals if i feel they would be a better fit. I get my business in the same way - referrals from other IT trade professionals who feel I'm a better fit for working with their clients.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned on your entrepreneurial journey?

1. You wont be happy being the fire-fighter in your own business. 2. You will be the best at servicing a customer base if you've been a customer of your own product before. 3. Choose only enjoyable customers. Over my entrepreneurial journey I've discovered that I'm fueled more by a thank you then a paycheque. 

Has your Jewish identity, values, or community experience influenced your business in any way?

Thirty per cent of my customer base is not-for-profit or charitable organizations. i would say my Jewish values have contributed to this, its not a coincidence i specifically go after non profits. I go above and beyond with all my customers, however its the non-profits that say thank-you the most and appreciate the extra work i do for them, so i tend to gravitate towards that demographic. In particular, I am naturally more present in the Jewish community so I'm able to service our pillar organizations extremely effectively and enjoy those relationships the most.