Andy Bailey is an entrepreneur through and through.

While in high school, Andy juggled school work with not one, but three jobs. While attending Middle Tennessee State University he worked construction, an experience that taught him about "really hard work." And while starting college, he started Bailey Landscaping and Lawn Care, which quickly grew and secured more and more business, including government contracts.

Bailey left the landscape and construction industry and took his first contracted sales position in wireless communications with Contel Cellular, riding the initial wave of cellular telephone sales in Middle Tennessee. Big, early success in the wireless field led him to start his own business selling pagers, starting with a single computer and partnering with his wife, Nicole. Bailey grew NationLink from virtually nothing to more than $5m in annual sales.

Bailey realized that wireless technologies come and go, but found a solid business platform in providing true solution-based wireless services for clients. Wireless had become complicated; NationLink set out to make it easy -- easy to use, easy to manage, easy on the budget.

NationLink
NationLink helped pioneer many of today's wireless standards, including one-stop shopping among service carriers and one-rate plans. NationLink assisted Nextel in launching the Nashville market and rapidly added new clients and services, becoming the clear leader in wireless services in Tennessee.

Today, NationLink continues to dominate the field of wireless management. The multi-million dollar company employs 22 full time employees, and has added business units dedicated to BlackBerry technology, wireless expense management, GPS fleet management and enterprise level employee value programs. It has become a key partner for both Motorola and Sprint/Nextel.

Nicole Bailey continues to play a key role as Andy's business partner, helping to oversee the day-to-day operations, and serving, in Andy's words, as "Chief Reality Officer."

Recognition
Since its inception, NationLink has garnered sales and leadership awards too numerous to mention. Some highlights:

• INC 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America -- ranked #195 (Inc. Magazine)
• Future 50 (Nashville Business Journal) -- 3 time winner
• Platinum Partner (Motorola, multiple awards) -- 3 time winner
• Top Voice and Data Agent (Nextel) -- 16 time winner
• Best Places to Work Finalist (Nashville Business Journal)
• BlackBerry Universe Award (Research in Motion)
• 6 for 2006 Award (ALLBUSINESS.COM)
• Best in Business Finalist (Nashville Business Journal, multiple awards)

Bailey has also been recognized individually for his achievements with NationLink:

• Entrepreneur of the Year (Jennings A. Jones School of Business, MTSU, multiple awards)
• Participant, National Carrot Capital Program (multiple years)
• Dale Carnegie leadership recognition

The recognition Bailey values most comes from his clients. In 2006 NationLink had its highest level of client retention ever, a particularly impressive achievement in an industry known for incredibly high levels of client "churn".

Personal and Community
Bailey also gives time and energy to several professional, charitable and civic organizations, including:

• Habitat for Humanity, Williamson County (Member, Board of Directors)
• "Habitee" Golf Tournament for HFH (raises $50 - $70 annually) (Event Chairman)
• Leadership Franklin
• Easter Seals Adopt a Family Program (with Nicole)
• Special Olympics (with Nicole)
• Entrepreneurs Organization, Nashville Chapter (Member, Board of Directors)

Andy, Nicole, and their children Madison and Gracen live in Franklin, TN. The Baileys are active in a variety of sports from soccer to basketball and golf. (Bailey has a nine handicap and believes that the secret of live is finding the right balance between work, family, and golf.)

The Future
Bailey has a clear vision for the future of NationLink, focusing on smart growth through innovative services and superior service. He continues to create a atmosphere where his team are fanatics about service with clients, with vendors and with each other.

According to Bailey, "We're not in the wireless business. We're in the business of making wireless easy -- bottom line."