Mark Friday never set out to lead just another telecommunications company. For him, business has always been personal. As the president of RJ Telecommunications, he’s woven the values of trust and service into every aspect of the company.
Growing up in a large, close-knit family, Mark learned that success isn’t about profit—it’s about taking care of people. Whether lending a helping hand to a cousin in need or gathering with relatives for a meal, his family thrived on connection and support.
Those same principles now shape the way he runs his company. “At the end of the day, it’s about doing right by people,” he says. “If I take care of the customer, everything else—growth, financial success—figures itself out.”
Founded in 1996, RJ Telecommunications has grown into a trusted provider of business phone systems, cabling, fiber networking, managed IT services and internet solutions. Mark and his team operate with a simple but powerful philosophy: Do what’s best for the client, no matter what.
Tracy Tackett-Helzer can attest to that. She's the office manager for Lakes Surgery Center in West Bloomfield, and she was there when RJ stepped in to bring urgent help—and solutions—during a crisis.
"We were in the middle of switching phone systems and upgrading to fiber optics when our vendor suddenly passed away. Mark and his team stepped in and had us up and running with basic services within one day. It was incredible.
“Mark has gone above and beyond, often helping with technical issues outside his direct scope just to make sure everything runs smoothly for us. His dedication, problem-solving skills and exceptional service have made a huge impact on our patient care, and I truly can’t praise him and his company enough."
In an era where IT support often means navigating automated menus or waiting days for help, Mark and his team pride themselves on immediate, personal service.
“I’ve had customers tell me they’re surprised by how fast we respond—almost to the point of annoyance,” he laughs. “They’ll say, ‘You can come tomorrow, Mark, you don’t have to drop everything,’ but that’s just how we do things.
“You won’t find a ticket system or a long wait time with us,” he adds. “When you call, we answer. When you need help, we show up.”
Bright Side Dental turned to RJ Telecommunications while struggling with multi-location call routing. Patients would often call the wrong office, only to be told to hang up and redial. Mark’s team stepped in and designed a system that allows calls to transfer effortlessly between locations.
“They needed a solution that made life easier for them and their patients. So we built it,” Mark explains. “Now, they never miss a call and their staff can focus on patient care instead of phone issues.”
While offering high-level IT and communication solutions, RJ operates with transparency and integrity. When Bright Side Dental wanted Bluetooth headsets for their call center, Mark didn’t upsell them expensive adapters. Instead, he replaced their phones with Bluetooth-compatible models at no extra charge.
“It was just the right thing to do,” Mark says. “And when you take care of people, they stick with you.”
Emily Ostroski, RJ’s controller and office manager, echoes this sentiment. “Mark won’t sell someone something they don’t need. He cares about people first,” she says.
This commitment to service extends beyond customers to employees as well. Mark’s team includes several family members, from his cousin Elizabeth to his children, who are beginning to get involved in the business. His philosophy? If family members share the company’s values, why not give them opportunities to grow?
Despite RJ’s impressive growth, Mark remains committed to the principles that have guided him. Expansion is on the horizon, but it will never come at the expense of customer care.
“We’re not perfect,” he admits. “But if we ever make a mistake, we own it, we fix it and we make it right.”
In an industry often defined by impersonal transactions, one thing is certain: Mark Friday’s commitment to treating customers like family isn’t changing. Even as technology advances, RJ Telecommunications isn’t just about linking phone lines or networks—it’s about connecting people.
“It was just the right thing to do. And when you take care of people, they stick with you.” – Mark Friday