Unistar Technologies Makes Tech Green

CUMMING, GA — Unistar Technologies offers its clients a way to reuse and dispose of technology while remaining environmentally friendly, owner Doug LaPonzina told Patch.

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Learn more about the technology based asset management firm below.

Company name: Unistar Technologies

Street address: 1075 Nine North Drive

Website: www.unistartechnologies.com

Phone number: 678-393-3160

Business owner/manager’s name: Doug LaPonzina

Can you give me some background on your business? When did it open? If it’s a restaurant, what would you consider your specialties?

We started in Forsyth County in 2009, and we are a technology based asset management firm. Sounds boring – but it’s pretty interesting. I promise.

Why did you want to open a business?

This was all I had done in my professional (adult) life, and it provides a much needed and often overlooked service to companies across the country. When the company I earned a partnership/ownership in sold back in 2009- I asked my previous business partner if it was ok to start another company and continue working in the industry. He said it was. And the rest is history.

What has been the best part of owning your own business?

The people I’ve met. I’m still in contact with 90 percent of them (former employees and most business contacts) and get to see how they have used what they’ve learned with us and the experience they’ve gained and the impact we’ve had no matter how large or small as they go through life (thanks social media for keeping us in touch!)

What has been the worst part of owning your own business?

The same as any other small business owner – the constant work and thinking about the next steps. I’ve always found that if you operate a business with honesty, truth, and integrity – you can’t fail. Just add hard work and determination, and you’ll succeed.

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What’s a fact about your business that most customers probably don’t know?

We also recycle almost all technology based hardware as well as purchase it from large companies. In the last three years alone, we’ve recycled on average over 700,000 pounds a year of outdated or broken electronics. We keep the landfills clean (er).

How has the pandemic affected your business?

We actually maintained a steady growth throughout the pandemic as companies reorganized and released certain type of technology- Unistar purchased it. This helped the clients reduce unneeded assets as the office dynamics switched and went more to home based employees.

How have you had to adapt during the pandemic? What changes did you make?

We purchase so many different types of hardware – literally almost anything in a corporate environment, so we had to adjust to demands of certain products as the needs changed weekly. Laptops and tablets were in extreme demand for quite a while- they still are.

What do you think is your secret to staying in business during the pandemic?

Again, it comes down to operating with honesty, integrity, and our relationships with our clients. We handle some of the largest companies in the US and Canada, and they have thousands of choices when it comes to a service like ours across the U.S.- but we treat them like family. We are a boutique service for Fortune sized businesses, which is very rare. People like the personalization and the fact we can adapt to each company individual needs with regards to ITAD (I.T. Asset Disposition).

Has the need for workers had an effect on your business? How so?

It did. But we’re thankful for friends who were willing to step up and help out when we needed help at Unistar. We were getting busier and also having to deal with the threat of Covid. Our staff travels to client sites all across the country, and for a while it was scary knowing our staff (who are like family) were putting themselves at risk for the good of the business.

How has the community supported your business over the years?

Simply utilizing our services has been the best support we could ever ask for. Everyone we come in contact with locally seems to tell a friend and as we always have local (free of charge) pick-ups it helps drive more business. And most of the time we are able to pay them for the hardware we receive, which people don’t expect, but are happy to accept. And that’s what we do- buy used technology.

What sets your business apart from others?

Our reputation. I’ve been doing this for 24 years in the Alpharetta/Cumming area and although others we’ve trained and worked with have tried to duplicate our services on their own, they never seem to have near the success. It’s our staff and our relationships with the community that set us apart.

Anything else to add?

We’re very fortunate to have the ability to work with wonderful people, donate to various causes around Atlanta, the US, and the world, and help our clients keep a green footprint in a world full of ever-changing technology.

Submitted by Doug LaPonzina

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This article originally appeared on the Cumming Patch