Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Debbie Kleinman Upgrades Phone Systems and Internet Services in the Community and Beyond
By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter
With more than 30 years of experience in communication technology solutions—specializing in enterprise telecommunications services—Palisadian Debbie Kleinman upgrades phone systems and internet services, saving clients money through her company, DK1 Enterprises LLC.
“I met Debbie through the Chamber of Commerce,” Cerisa Moncayo, a local dentist and oral surgeon, wrote to the Palisadian-Post. “In addition to getting us better service, an updated phone system and features that we didn’t have before (that increased our capabilities and productivity for our patients), Debbie also managed to slice our monthly phone bill in half.”
Moncayo explained that Kleinman saved The Palisades Dentists thousands of dollars on that small area of overhead alone.
“I create a win-win,” Kleinman said to the Post.
Known as the “Phone Lady,” Kleinman has lived in Pacific Palisades for 30 years, and she shared her business comes primarily from referrals due to her strong links to the community.
Kleinman, who lives in the Village area, works with all levels of businesses, and for the Palisades, she even works with individuals.
“My background is that I have been in telecommunications for almost 30 years,” Kleinman told the Post, adding that she began in the industry in March 1993.
Kleinman has a business degree in management from California State University, Northridge.
“I went into business on my own almost five years ago,” Kleinman, chief executive officer of DK1, said. “I was in the industry so long, I took a huge leap of faith. I went on my own to be able to expand my niche.”
She became an independent consultant so she would not be limited to just upgrade people’s phone systems.
“My experience is almost in the same industry,” Kleinman shared, explaining that she can do more now than a single telecommunications company is willing to do.
“I can offer different types of phone systems,” Kleinman said. “Based on their addresses, I offer them the options.”
With COVID-19, Kleinman is spending considerable time helping businesses create a transferable phone service. She will create the impression of an on-site office, and help clients keep their personal numbers private while they are working remotely by displaying the company number.
Kleinman said that she typically works in the commercial arena, but offers residential services in the Palisades because of her close ties to the community. She receives a lot of personal requests for her expertise.
“Some people in the Palisades give me their home bills,” Kleinman said. After a free consultation, if she can save them money, she takes a percentage fee.
“Wherever anybody has a phone bill and internet, I can help,” Kleinman reported, “and if I don’t save people money, I don’t charge them.”
Her local clients in the community include accountants, board members, lawyers, architects and more.
“Everybody knows each other,” she added. “People know who I am. I love to work with small and medium businesses, but I’m actually working with a large one right now. My skills are transferable.”
Currently, she is helping a car dealership in Valencia cut its bill in half. It doesn’t matter where their business is located, Kleinman said, she can give them their best options.
“I negotiated at the highest level to get their rates down, even with the same provider,” Kleinman explained.
The typical cost savings of a business are 30% to 50%.
“I am my own boss,” Kleinman said. “No one works for me. I am responsible and accountable for everything I do. I don’t work for Spectrum, AT&T or Frontier, but I know how to negotiate and have people pay what they should be paying. Most people are getting gouged.”
Kleinman estimated that out of 100 customers, probably 90% are getting gauged, with a few staying somewhat on top of it.
“As clinicians, we would love to stay focused on our main mission—to take care of our patients … and worry less about things like overhead and phone systems,” Moncayo added. “Debbie made the entire process smooth and easy. I wish we found her sooner.”
If she’s upgrading a business’ antiquated phone system, Kleinman charges by project. For some people, she’s saved thousands of dollars.
Though she mainly works with businesses with over five employees, she also takes on smaller projects.
“I have offices where there are only one or two people, and even if I save them $100 a month, over a three-year period, that adds up,” Kleinman concluded. “I love being able to save people money.”
For more information, visit dk1enterprisesllc.com or call 818-414-5200.
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