Future Phones

Based in Bluffdale, Utah, Future Phones was established by leading entrepreneur Wright Thurston in 1999, just as the demand for cellular phones began to grow. Initially focused on store-based sales in Utah, the company soon moved its headquarters to the booming market of Seattle, Washington, and rapidly expanded to include kiosks and storefronts throughout the state.

Future Phones achieved substantial success under a retail model of distribution, enabling the company’s growth to include a direct sales division. The company’s founder hired a multitude of sales representatives, who sought then sought out businesses and families to market the phones. Because the direct sales model substantially reduced overhead costs, Future Phones shut down its kiosks. The company also launched a website to deliver its products to consumers.

Future Phones’ e-commerce platform also proved highly successful, allowing customers to purchase phone plans at costs of $50 to $100 less than those offered by mainstream retail outlets. Under Mr. Thurston’s direction, the company emerged as the nation’s premier distributor of VoiceStream Wireless, Inc. (now T-Mobile USA, Inc.) and AT&T Inc. phones.

Wright Thurston later launched Firstline Security, a national security system company. In 2002, Mr. Thurston sold Future Phones to focus exclusively on his new business venture and related projects.