CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
By: Jennifer Burns
How does a small business entrepreneur hold his own in the computer industry with competitors like Best Buy and Circuit City? How does one company work to close the gap in computer technology so that our families and friends have better access to greater opportunity in the technical world? Les Ticey, owner and founder of DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS (DBBS) had an idea, turned it into a mission, put action behind it, and the rest is history. The Write Up got a chance to find out more about the man behind the Digital Bridge Business Solutions organization which does so much in the community to help close the ever widening Digital Divide.
Les Ticey is not your average business man. Originally from Compton, CA, Ticey earned his AA degree in Computer Technology from Devry Institute of Technology and has previous experience working as an electronic Semiconductor packaging engineer. Les has traveled the world; Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, Holland, Japan, Scotland, Mexico, and Canada and his innovative mind has led him to hold 3 US technical patents. Les consistently gives back to the community by working with organizations such as: The Write Up Scholarship Fund, National Action Network, United Fellowship Church, First New Life Church, Good Sheppard Baptist Church, Christian Covenant Church, Ava’s Kids, North West Valley Chamber, Winnie Ministries, and more. Les shares, "Our mission is to bring the community together through networking, technology and business, ultimately accomplishing economic and social empowerment that will unite the community". Les goes on to share what motivates him every day and explains the driving force behind his purpose with DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS. "It is my belief that we can unite as a community and make things better for all of us. Every day we make decisions to purchase, volunteer, hire, support, donate, and patronize other cultures. These decisions, believe it or not, have a direct influence on improving things like the unemployment rate of our young African American people, and impact the success rate of Black owned small businesses sustaining enough sales to stay in business. This Black Alliance is all about empowering the Black community to first seek out Black owned businesses and community organizations in our day to day decisions. It is my belief that it is our social and economical responsibility to do so. Other cultures such as Korean, Mexican and Chinese, do it. Why can’t we? Why can’t we spend our money with Black realtors, accountants, lawyers, dentist, beauticians, computer salesman, cleaners, etc? Why can’t we support and donate to the local Black organizations? Well, you know what? We can do it and if we all do it collectively we will make a difference."
Les had been working with and owned computers for years. What really concerned him was that most of our family and friends were part of that group being left behind in computing technology. Les breaks down the statistics that contribute to the Digital Divide. "The term ‘Digital Divide’ refers to the gap between those who can effectively use new information and communication tools, such as the Internet and those who cannot." Les goes on to share some alarming demographic statistics: White (46.1%) Asian American and Pacific Islander (56.8%) households continued to have Internet access at levels more than double those of Black (23%) and Hispanic (23.6%) households." Individuals with less technology access are at a disadvantage in contrast to those individuals with more access when it comes to seeking better education, better jobs, and even higher levels of civic participation. From our earliest days in K-12 school to our retirement years, we must learn to adapt and apply technology appropriately. Les states, "It is important that all people have ample opportunities to learn these skills, especially when you consider the fact that within the next several years, over half of all jobs and business opportunities will be in the computer industry or require computer-related skills."In January of 2002, Les started the company, DIGITAL BRIDGE as a small business out of his home garage. Repairing computers for family and friends seemed to be a good business idea. By March 2003, Les was providing affordable computers to disadvantaged residential and small business customers through a storefront retail of quality refurbished systems. A year later, in June 2004, DIGITAL BRIDGE moved into a leased building in Phoenix, and expanded the business to include web design services. Three months later, in September 2004, Mike Hicks joined DIGITAL BRIDGE and served as Chief Technical Officer and Co-Partner. Mike brought years of customer service and departmental management experience to the company. By August of 2005, DIGITAL BRIDGE moved to a commercial plaza in Tempe, and expanded to include small business IT support. At this time, the company name was changed to DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS. Certified in the following, DBBS is able to tackle any business need: Microsoft 2008 Gold Partner Certification, Microsoft 2008 Small Business Specialist Certification, Dell 2008 Solution Provider Partner Certification, Lenovo 2008 Reseller Certification, IBM 2008 Reseller Certification and A Plus Computer Repair Certification. Les and the DBBS staff are driven to be the best at what they do in and for the community. Les shares, "Black businesses and organizations must provide quality service and products that is equal to or better than their competitors. The Black businesses must also create jobs and mentoring opportunities for the community. All these things under a united front from the Black communities will empower us to be less dependent on mainstream America. It is my hope that our business becomes the technological bridge that all of us will use to promote empowerment and unity in our community." Les is definitely prepared to do more than talk about it…he and his staff knows how to BE ABOUT IT!! DBBS has already donated two computers to The Write Up Scholarship Fund as part of an effort to help deserving, and high achieving high school graduates in pursuit of a college education. If you are in the market for a computer…head on down to DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS in the Buttes Business Plaza – 2113 S. 48th Street Suite 104 in Tempe. Here you will find quality service, affordable prices, and a certified staff you can depend on and trust. The Write Up is grateful to DIGITAL BRIDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS for all the work they do to help out in the urban community and for providing affordable business solutions and computer products and services to those who need it the most.
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