NetsCorp tailors personal service to client needs

Whoever said going into business with family was a bad idea never had the privilege of meeting the NetsCorp family.

Theresa Walters and her brother Trent Stricker have transformed a fledgling company into a thriving conglomerate by combining three generations of family committed to the same goal -- establishing a meaningful relationship with their customers.

When Walters and Stricker assumed ownership of NetsCorp in February 1997 the computer world, yet to experience the wrath of spam, was on a growth trajectory that allowed NetsCorp to keep pace with an evolving business climate. The company has achieved a reputation in Laredo for quality service and customer satisfaction.

The demands of Laredo 's tightly knit business community have prompted NetsCorp to offer personal service tailored to the clients' needs.

“The most important thing you can offer the customer is a relationship,” said Walters. “We had to put together a team that could do that, and family was the easiest way. We are all committed to offering good service.”

Knowing whom you are dealing with comes with an expense, said Stricker. Large corporations are not willing to invest in taking care of their customers at the same level that NetsCorp does.

“Compared to the national companies, we are the only ones you can call 24 hours a day and seven days a week and talk to a person,” said Stricker. “Business in Laredo doesn't stop at five, and the Internet isn't a luxury anymore -- it's a necessity.”

Although Walters and Stricker are available for service at any hour, they don't always want to be remembered. Walters said being at the forefront of their customers' minds is a sign that there are possible problems in the computer network.

Their work ethic was formed at an early age; both brother and sister working for the family business, something they strive to pass on to their own children.

“Growing up, working was something we all did; I never anticipated raising my kids any other way,” said Walters. “It gives them a good idea of how to work and how to think critically.”

Walter's three daughters, Tacee, Tanyn, and Taryn, are frequently in the office helping out and taking care of whatever needs to be done and that they are able to do. Stricker's 10-year-old daughter helps by duplicating set-up CDs from his home. Walters and Stricker's parents, Fred and Barbara Stricker, are also involved in day-to-day operations, as well as their two brothers in San Antonio , who they said probably put in more hours for NetsCorp than for their full-time jobs.

“Everyone involved is cross-trained,” he said. “Theresa started doing books, but she knows installation; and I do whatever has to be done.”

By working as a family group along with outside help, NetsCorp is able to provide the sophisticated, high tech level of service that they do, which elicits a better customer response.

“When we are setting up new software and we have to call the distributor for customer service, it is easy to remember your goal,” said Walters. “How you want customers to be treated is not any different from how you wish to be treated yourself.”

Stricker said there is a common misconception among business people that computers constantly need attention and maintenance. They realize when computers are installed and maintained correctly that this is not the case.

The ever-changing computer technology has been a challenge to Walters and Stricker. They are focused on servicing the existing market rather than on future expansion of the company itself.

NetsCorp provides 56k personal accounts, 56k business accounts, 64k personal ISDN accounts, and 128k personal ISDN accounts for those who are looking for the most speed. They also offer web page hosting; e-mail filtering; technical support; and designer, pop-up blocker, firewall, and anti-virus software. Heritage e-mail extensions and school spirit e-mail extensions are also available as a way to personalize e-mail addresses, such as @laredoan.com, @southtexan.com, and @ciudaddelaredo.com.

A proprietary system based on a solid work ethic has allowed NetsCorp to offer quality service at a fair price, all the while maintaining core values.