26. Fonebox Group of Companies

Revenue: $6.4 million
Growth: 182.31%
Founders: Jordan Grives, 26, Leanne Grives, 45, Steven Grives, 63
Head office: Queensland
Year founded: 2008
Employees: 70
Industry: Telecommunications
Website: www.fonebox.com.au

The Fonebox Group has become a regular Smart50 finalist, having come in at number 20 last year and 33 the year before.

Co-founded in 2008 by managing director Jordan Grives when he was 18, the telecommunications provider turned over $6.4 million in the last financial year and has a current client base of more than 3000 brands.

Grives identified a niche in the market for 1300 and 1800 inbound numbers, after he found large telecommunication providers were not offering customised solutions that incorporated inbound numbers and call routing solutions.

Fonebox has experienced significant growth in recent years, which Grives attributes to client acquisition, relationship management, technological innovation and developing and maintaining its growth strategy.

The business’ product offering has expanded to include fully customised inbound services such as inbound number hosting, completely customisable call routing, call recording, virtual receptionist phone answering services, dynamic call tracking and what he says is the most comprehensive reporting platform on the market.

For Grives, however, the most challenging part of establishing Fonebox at the age of 18 was being taken seriously by the business community, but he was persistent and built up his networks and reputation.

“It takes time, effort, and energy to build and maintain a network and to be taken seriously in the Australian business market especially when it comes to my age,” he says.

Another ongoing challenging experience for Fonebox and Grives has been managing the continued growth and “knowing the tipping point of when to expand and when to sit tight”.

The business has worked hard internally to update processes and procedures and streamline workloads so staff can focus on new and existing clients, he says.

Grives lists Fonebox’s three key long-term goals as continuing to grow via acquisitions in the corporate inbound services sector, to bring in private or public investment and float on the Australian Securities Exchange, and international expansion to the US and UK markets in the next two years.

In the next financial year, Grives wants to see Fonebox increase turnover to $10 million as well as increase the company’s total employees to 100.