Jul 27, 2026
Russell Cellular Store Manager Ashley Surratt has spent the past few years facing a cancer journey marked by unexpected turns. Through it all, she has continued showing up for her family, her customers, and her team at RC. Gratefully, kind folks far and wide have shown up for her as well – fundraising to help with medical expenses through the company’s RC Cares program and individual donations.
The journey has been and continues to be an arduous struggle for the working mother of four. What began as a pneumonia diagnosis in 2023 led to the discovery of stage one lung cancer during what was expected to be a routine procedure. Surgeons removed her left lung, and after more than a year of stability on chemotherapy medication, new scans revealed the cancer had spread. Ashley is now undergoing chemotherapy before additional surgeries.
A store manager with Russell Cellular for 12 years, Ashley says her children motivate her to keep moving forward. She also credits her coworkers for helping ease the burden. Through the company’s RC Cares program, employees across multiple districts participated in RC Cares specialty fundraising sales and donation drives. The caring support and contributions from the company and community have reduced burdensome expenses and provided Ashley a little peace of mind as she focuses on treatment and recovery.
“The company itself really isn’t just a corporation,” Ashley says. “They really are people who care. You actually feel important here, and I like that.” Thank you, Ashley – we wouldn’t have it any other way.
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Jul 23, 2026
Before reaching its fifth “birthday,” RC Cares – the philanthropic arm of the Russell Cellular – reached a major milestone, having raised more than $1 million to benefit communities across the country. Three years later, RC Cares is still making a tremendous impact for causes and people nationwide, with a fundraising total of nearly $1.5 million to date and thousands of projects completed.
“The concept was – and still is – to give back and make a difference in people’s lives,” says Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares. “This is what Jeff (co-founder and CEO of Russell Cellular) and Kym (co-founder) have always done. It’s their heart – they laid this foundation!”
That first million went a long way in helping citizens in communities everywhere, even a modest number of RC teammates facing calamity. The sum included donations to Russell Cellular’s Employee Emergency Fund, which directly supports qualified employees in dire circumstances.
“To me, there is no greater feeling than working for a company that you know has your back,” said one District Sales Manager. “I don’t know where I would be without the help from my RC family and the Employee Emergency Fund after my accident. The EEF allowed me to focus more on my healing instead of stressing about my financial burdens.”
One reason RC Cares remains successful is that it allows RC team members to support causes that matter to them personally. When employees observe a need in their community, they can create a fundraising project to help address it. As Wallace noted, this flexibility gives the local Russell Cellular teams “ownership” – and an opportunity to meet needs unique to their community.
To fund projects, the company created “Hedgie” PopSockets and tech wipes that are sold in all RC stores. (Hedgie the Hedgehog is the company’s iconic mascot.) Proceeds from these sales are banked for the local store to invest back into their local community through RC-approved outreach projects and events.
RC Cares also responds to aid requests from reputable institutions in communities. For example, Russell Cellular employees have helped Habitat for Humanity construct 10+ houses for individuals and families around the country, and support of the American Heart Association is ongoing.
Today RC Cares remains a key component of Russell Cellular’s culture of caring for customers, employees, and their communities. Compassionate RC employees still overwhelmingly support the initiative with enthusiasm through voluntary labor and regular contributions.
“It’s our culture,” said Wallace. “It’s who we are.” The spirit of compassion and generosity seems to be shared at the company at every level and location.
While the company’s philanthropy and charity might not impact everyone, results have been life-changing for many people and other creatures who’ve been relieved, aided, uplifted, and supported along the way. RC Cares will continue pursuing this calling to help even more people, causes, and communities as the company reaches into new regions. Special thanks to everyone who has or will participate in RC Cares – from customers to teammates – and to Russell Cellular for its remarkable leadership and support.
#RCCares #CareForEveryPerson #BetterTogether #GivingBack #CommunityImpact
Read more RC news, reviews, and feature articles ~ https://russellcellular.com/blog/
Jul 15, 2026
RC Invests in its People (and its People’s People) with Robust Employee Assistance Program Benefits
Many people don’t want public opinion and input into their struggles and misfortunes. They are seeking real support and need help – sound advice, the right connection, one-on-one expertise, or private guidance. One substantial perk that all RC employees receive is a full‑featured Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Anthem at company expense. It’s available to employees and their households – and the best part is the cost (absolute zero).
Real Support for Real Life: Employee Benefits Beyond the Paycheck
Life doesn’t always behave. Sometimes it throws a curveball, sometimes a whole bucket of them. Sometimes with lasers, lava, and sharp, pointy teeth. Russell Cellular makes sure its teammates don’t have to juggle those moments alone. The Anthem EAP is open 24/7, every day of the year, offering confidential support whenever needed. It’s a natural fit for companies that care about employees.
Types of Employee Assistance Program Support
Counseling That Fits Real Schedules
Up to three sessions per issue, online or in person. Whether someone prefers a couch or a laptop, they’re covered. Workplace mental health benefits are a virtual lifeline for people struggling alone or with little support.
Legal Help Without the Panic
A free 30‑minute consultation to get answers, plus discounted rates if more help is needed. There are even online forms and seminars for the DIY‑inclined.
Financial Guidance (Because Money Is Hard)
Employees can talk to financial pros during business hours — no appointment, no awkward waiting room. Online budgeting tools are there for the number‑crunchers.
Identity Theft Backup
If someone’s identity gets tangled up, the EAP helps report it, sort it, and deal with creditors. Basically, they’re the calm voice in a very un‑calm situation.
Help With the People (and Pets!) You Love
Childcare, elder care, adoption, assisted living – even finding a pet sitter or help with a move. Work‑life specialists are just a phone call away.
Online Resources for Everyday Wellness
Articles, podcasts, webinars, and self‑assessments make it easy to check in on mental and emotional health.
Crisis Support When It Matters Most
A 24/7 emergency line and online crisis tools ensure no one has to face a tough moment alone. Employer-provided EAP programs are fantastic resources but largely underutilized until the chips are truly down.
Anthem EAP: Professional, Confidential, Free, and Easy to Use
RC employees around the country can simply call a toll-free number, enter RC’s code, and the door opens. Expert assistance and advice the RC team knows it can count on is just that easy to reach. All services are confidential, so employees can get the help they need with total peace of mind. One of the strongest providers in operation today, Anthem is widely trusted to provide EAP counseling services and legal assistance.
The Russell Cellular Way: Always Putting People First
For anyone looking in from the outside, the EAP is a pretty clear signal of what Russell Cellular values. Providing a reputable EAP for employees is not just a benefit – it’s a reflection of a company that understands life happens and chooses to support its workers beyond the office/warehouse/store doors.
Genuine care for its customers is fundamental to Russell Cellular’s success. Ever loyal to its values, the company acts with an evidence-based understanding that providing care for team members and their lives is equally important.
Want to learn more about joining the team? Check out the RC Careers page.
#RussellCellular #EmployeeExperiencePillars #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeAssistance #RCCares #CareForEveryPerson #BetterTogether #CareerHere
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Jul 1, 2026
The Happiness Formula
When this came across my feeds, it struck me as a moment to ponder. A story from an Inc.com article by Ben Sherry. The story goes that while speaking at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s 2024 commencement ceremony, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak emphasized the importance of approaching problems with a constructive mindset. In true Woz fashion, he did it in the form of a math equation.
“There’s a formula for creating happiness,” Wozniak said. “And it couldn’t be simpler. H = S – F, which means Happiness equals Smiles minus Frowns.” Woz acknowledged that in life and business, you can’t prevent things from going wrong, but his formula suggests that you do get to decide how to react.
So, is life a series of equations?
Like happiness, most things that make up our physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual realities result from s some simple math equation. Addition and subtraction. Yes, simple in design, although not necessarily easy to calculate, because some of us may feel like the moment, day, week, month, year, and so on, is more like multiplication and long-form division. Maybe even fractions and percentages. The thing is, I like the simplicity of adding and subtracting. Simple math – things that bring me joy and fulfillment get added and the things that leave me put off and unsettled get subtracted. I look at my behavior and outcome, then I adjust accordingly. It makes sense.
Diving a little deeper into this topic, I came across a book by Neil Pasricha, The Happiness Equation. Rather than giving you a synopsis or key elements from the book, I share only this.
“According to recent research, only 10% of our happiness is based on our external world.
The other 90% is based on how we see the world.”
When I read this, what stands out is that the formula is less important than the interpretation and, specifically, how we apply meaning to the data. The discernment, extrapolation, and estimation process – that’s what makes it complex, complicated, and subjectively tricky.
Math is Objective.
Or is it? Here’s something to consider. Think about relationships. Being the research geek that I am, I was curious about relationship data. I saw this unbelievable amount of data on divorce, with every possible way to look at percentages and rates: age, occupation, states, and so on. Now, for the sake of our conversation, let’s simplify and say it’s 50/50.
Here’s my question: which 50% gets your attention? Where does your head go first? To the 50% who get divorced or the 50% who stay married?
One might say, “It’s going to be tough for people in relationships when they see this. They have a high probability of breaking up.” Another reaction, “OK, but what about the ones who are great with one another – what if they’re the 50% that stay together?”
This is the whole ‘glass half full, half empty’ metaphor.
Retail is definitely math.
When I first cut my teeth in retail, I remember my very first boss telling me the importance of conversion rate, saying it was THE most important metric in retail. To look at the number of total opportunities in a given time period, and measure that against the total number of transactions; thus, providing an indicator of selling effectiveness, or closing ratio. Let’s say it’s 20%.
Obviously, whether it is good or bad, is pretty much relative to what it’s been (trend) and the desired outcome (target).
I want to know trends and targets, for sure. If I want to get really good, I’m going deeper. I can look at 20%, celebrate the outcome, and explore why they bought. OR I can look at 80%, embrace the opportunity, and try to figure out why they didn’t. Which side typically gets our focus? Maybe both.
To be fair, there are other factors we could chat about. Very rarely are things like this cut and dry. My point is this: when we consider anything, what gets our attention and focus? Why? What are our motives? Who benefits the most from our analysis, and how will we approach them with the data? Half full or half empty?
A + Variables = Customized Approach
This math equation is the one I live and lead by. When I started out as a leader, I wanted an equation to fit everything, one that I could easily apply to all that I did. I quickly found that the reality is there is no “easy way” and definitely no one-size-fits-all equation. A + B = C doesn’t exist.
I changed my approach. A + Variables = Customized Approach. “A” represents the thing I must do. This doesn’t change. It’s the task, goal, target, expectation, and standard. “Variables” are exactly what the word implies. It’s all the stuff that can and does happen that we don’t expect or can’t control, such as the circumstances, people involved, and uncertain factors. “Customized Approach” is my response to both task and circumstance. It’s about choice. I get to choose my actions, reactions, plans, and responses.
In essence, my day-to-day reality may very well be a series of mathematical equations wherein success or failure is the sum of all choices I’ve made. In other words, I calculate all the stuff in my day, factoring in probability, estimation, and uncertainty, and then come up with a sum. My choice represents that equation.
Bottom line: how do you see the world? How do you calculate its meaning? How do you see the day you are given and moments where you get to choose a response? Is your response a smile or frown? Are you contemplating a little math – adding something in or subtracting something out or away? Today, you get to respond. What will make up your equation? Half full, half empty, or realizing neither matters if the glass is refillable.
#RussellCellular #LeadershipMatters #CareerHere #Perspective
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Jun 23, 2026
Often, giving charitably means making a positive impact,but from a distance. You work to ensure your money goes to a good cause, but you might not see the lives it affects.
At RC Cares, though, teams witness firsthand how giving impacts their communities and loved ones -just ask Holly Quinn, a District Sales Manager in southeast Tennessee.
Holly is notable at RC Cares for her giving track record. In fact, she recently helped her district become a top performer in RC Cares donations, with the district raising nearly $10,000 in 2025.
She says much of her district’s RC Cares sales success comes from how personal to the community a lot of the fundraisers are. Holly has helped raise money for her daughter’s dance team through RC Cares, and another manager has helped raise money for their son’s soccer team.
Holly’s district also notably provided crucial support through RC Cares when Holly’s uncle passed away. Through RC Cares sales, she was able to assist with funeral costs. Other efforts her district has helped raise money for include Toys for Tots, back-to-school drives, local cat cafes, and Habitat for Humanity builds. Their most recent endeavor is a team volunteer effort at a local animal shelter.
Holly says it is essential to build a culture around generosity for RC Cares sales. “It creates a feeling for our customers where we’re more than just a cell phone company,” she says. “It allows our customers the opportunity to give back to the community.”
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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Jun 12, 2026
In Pinedale, Wyoming, with its population of just over 2,000, a Russell Cellular store is keeping its impact local but powerful. This year, a small team and generous community raised more than $2,000 to support local families and individuals, under the direction of RC Cares district leader and store manager Arla Bujanda.
Causes the team has supported include community members with cancer, animal shelters, food drives, school supply drives, and school trips. Arla, who has been store manager for a little over a year, says that she tries to support a new cause every month. “I do these fundraisers to show people that there is help and hope for them,” she says of the fundraisers that focus on families and situations. “(It helps them to) know kind people are willing to take some stress off of bills and expenses.”
Through purpose-driven meetings and ongoing support from leadership, Arla can execute her monthly goals effectively. Her team says she truly sees the value of RC Cares and reflects that in how she advertises her projects.
One of Arla’s store team members, Raelynn Mitchell, says that RC Cares projects matter to her and the staff because they often have personal connections to the causes. “Sometimes I know the families, sometimes I go the shelter myself to help with the dogs,” she says. “It’s a personal thing. I help out where I can.”
#RCCares #BetterTogether #CareForEveryPerson
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