Marcelo Claure launched Brightstar with the goal of becoming the largest cell phone trader in Miami. Fifteen years later, Brightstar has been recognized as the largest Hispanic owned company in the US and last year celebrated its first $1 billion month. Last year, Forbes Magazine ranked Brightstar as the 58^th largest privately held company in the US.

The humble businessman has received a slew of awards including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and was made a lifetime member of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Mr. Claure lives in Miami with his wife and has four children, with whom he said he enjoys spending time with when he is not at the office of visiting one of the many Brightstar locations around the world.

The soccer fan took time from running his global empire to talk to reporter Laura Stace about his past achievements and the vision for Brightstar as they embark on their next 15 years and beyond.