About the Company

United World Telecom, operating under Global Call Forwarding, provides virtual phone numbers and call-forwarding services tailored for industries like finance, healthcare, travel, and e-commerce. These services allow businesses to connect seamlessly with customers worldwide, enhancing communication and operational efficiency. The company has grown steadily, now serving over 2,000 business clients globally, with a focus on call quality and customer service.

The company operates internationally, with customer support in Peru and a sales office in Thailand, after initially establishing a presence in the US and France. They’ve also adopted advanced technologies such as Asterisk and WebRTC for their products, alongside tools like Zoho CRM, Google Analytics, and Mailchimp for sales and marketing efforts.

Idea Behind Company

Thierry’s entrepreneurial journey began with his frustration working in corporate financial roles. His inspiration struck upon reading a Wall Street Journal article about the growing "international callback industry," which described a business with low barriers to entry and high potential. Thierry saw his trilingual skills and international background as assets to enter this market.

Before committing to the callback industry, Thierry briefly explored launching an EdTech venture but pivoted after encountering an ad selling equipment for callback services. Intrigued, he dove into learning telecommunications and reached out to industry contacts and his brother in France to help understand the business and gain a partner.

Creating the Company

Starting the company was a hands-on learning process. Thierry purchased callback equipment and software, teaching himself database management and invoicing through trial and error. With no prior experience in telecommunications, he built his pricing models by studying competitors, created marketing materials, and set up an early website on Compuserve to advertise services.

He and his brother, who became his business partner, invested $55,000 each to fund the venture, with half used to secure vendor minutes and the rest allocated for working capital. Thierry’s focus on quality from the outset—using only reputable carriers and rigorous route testing—helped build a strong foundation for the company.

Launching the Business

The business launched with a combination of advertising and direct outreach. Thierry advertised in industry forums and international publications like Newsweek, which became a key driver of early customer acquisition. His brother cold-called businesses in France, generating leads in the local market.

Early financial challenges included financing $30,000 of equipment through a Bank of America lease and managing operational costs. Despite these hurdles, United World Telecom became profitable in its second year and has since focused on expanding through online marketing channels like Google Ads, SEO, and LinkedIn.

Earnings

Today, United World Telecom generates $840,000 in monthly revenue, with consistent profitability since its second year of operation. The company employs 32 staff members and has a loyal customer base due to its emphasis on service quality and customer satisfaction. Over the years, Thierry has benefited from long-standing relationships with key team members, like his COO, who has been with the company for 17 years.

Looking forward, the business plans to continue leveraging innovative technologies and scaling its offerings to maintain its competitive edge in the telecommunications industry.