Growing a family and a following at Laptops For Less
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Ted Fontenot

Business is good for Ted Fontenot and the guys at Laptops For Less. If you don't have one, you want one. If you do have one, it needs working on.

When the Tri County Leader first announced the opening of the first Laptops For Less, Ted was just a kid, at age 20, and the writer of the story felt it necessary to define a laptop. He and laptops have certainly come a long way in five years.

Ted and several members of his family are knee-deep in the computer world.

His dad Carl works with him in repair as well as operating a 5,000 square foot warehouse in Troup. Carl and Laura, Ted's mom, are in the process of buying a beach house in Galveston. Carl plans to open a store in the Beaumont area and commute from the beach house to the new store.

Carl Jr., Ted's older brother, operates their store in Lindale. Sister Kathryn is in charge of things in the Flint location.

In Broken Arrow, Okla., adopted sister Suzie Reynolds operates yet another Laptops For Less.

Jonathan, the youngest brother, helps out as his busy high school life allows.

Ted's dream has caught on like wild fire and almost everyone in the family has picked up a torch and joined him.

While Nicole was part of the staff at the beginning, before they were even married, she has completed her education and is now a nurse at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. Ted laughs and says she supports his computer habit.

"This works out great for us," Ted said. "The days she works, I can take care of the girls."

Not only has the business grown, so has the family. Ted and Nicole have two young daughters.

After graduating from Whitehouse High School in 2000, Ted headed for college as so many do. He soon became so busy with his computer repair work, he had to leave the classroom.

Ted says he would like to go back at some point and get that degree.

Ted says he feels much more comfortable working with a computer that is used and has been reworked.

"In selling a used machine, I know the history," Ted said. "I know what's in it and what it can really do. That's not always the case with a new one. You just get what they say is in there."

While Ted was consumed in learning all about computers and what works best, when and where, he developed a true obsession with most things electronic. As his store continues to expand, he hopes to include some additional electronic items such as IRobots.

"Not that I'm going to start carrying a line of vacuum cleaners or anything, but I think these Roombas are the greatest things," Ted said. "I was not a believer, but certainly am now. I think I may start to sell them, too."

This young man has certainly not been afraid to take on the world around him. He has taken an interest, a dream and an ambition to succeed and done a pretty good job of seeing fulfillment.

Go see Ted. He'll clean your hard drive and soon your kitchen floor!