It was Seth Berkman’s wife who first drew his attention to the fledgling technology repair service field. Looking to get an iPhone screen repaired, he suggested she try uBreakiFix, which he had found after a cursory web search. Upon her return, she gushed about her experience at such length that, three years later, Berkman—who hails from Edgemont—is a franchisee in the quickly expanding company, and owner of all outlets in Westchester.
“My wife’s exact words were, ‘This is a great business,’” says Berkman of that fateful day. And she was not wrong, as uBreakiFix has found its niche among a growing list of clients, propelling it to three locations in Westchester County alone, with a fourth and fifth on the way.
“uBreakiFix specializes in the same-day repair of electronics. Our mantra is we’ll fix anything with a power button,” remarks Berkman. The company specializes in tablets, mobile devices, game consoles, and computers, including both Mac and PC. The company also performs a free diagnostic on every device, and backs up its work with a 90-day warranty and low-price guarantee. General repairs of top-level devices, such as iPhones and iPads, cost between $69.99 and $179.99.
uBreakiFix location in Mt. Kisco |
uBreakiFix location in Mamaroneck. |
The company’s rise in Westchester County has been precipitous. The first uBreakiFix location, in Mount Kisco, opened July 14, 2014—just two months before the business’ second storefront in Scarsdale. Last September, uBreakiFix opened a third location in Mamaroneck, with two more Westchester-based storefronts slated to open next year. And the stores do brisk business. The Mount Kisco and Scarsdale locations service between 500 and 600 customers per month, per store. Plus, each Westchester location has seen a 20 percent to 40 percent month-over-month growth since the day they opened.
“Technology repair service is littered with people who condescend, ignore, and treat the average technology user poorly. uBreakiFix is not that company. We talk to our techs about what it means to be a brand ambassador, to help people, and not just their devices,” says Berkman, who suggests that the company’s franchise model is the key to this increased customer service and community involvement.
“Franchising allows uBreakiFix to leverage the expertise and insight of local owners and operators,” says Berkman. “Our stores are there to support the surrounding communities.”
To that end, uBreakiFix has been working with school districts in the county to offer cost-effective repairs; have participated in local sidewalk sales, treasure hunts, and street fairs; and have invited the mayor of each location’s respective town to ribbon-cuttings. The company has even sponsored a junior soccer league in the county.
Berkman, who calls Cortlandt Manor home, believes working to maintain a strong connection with both the community and local government is just as vital as providing top-notch service. “Community involvement is probably the most important effort that a franchisee needs to focus on,” he says. “Learning about the people in your community through local Business Councils and Chambers of Commerce allows you to become more threaded into the towns and villages where you are located.”
All of these tactics result in a company that is both deeply involved in the surrounding community and primed to quickly expand within the technology repair sector. “We are highly organized, and have tremendous national infrastructure both in regards to people and the technology to support every store,” notes Berkman. “I believe that in this ever-growing and changing world of technology that we live in, the demand for technology repair will only increase.”