New/Old Job

[Tekboy]

Recently, I divulged here that I was getting out of the computer business, but by the popular demand of my customers, I went back into business full time this week, so I am here more, as I am nearly always online at work.

Basically, I am a troubleshooting and repair guy. I do some upgrading, but I don't like building computers (boring), so I just let them know that I will support whatever they buy. One local company makes very good machines, so I usually send them there, as I once worked there, and know of a certainty that they build them right.

I guess it is back to the old spyware/virus removal grind, for the most part, though. I was never cut out to run a shoe store. One thing I have learned is this, however:
If you have been self-employed for any significant lenght of time, you become increasingly less employable. I know that for me, I am just less willing to take foolishness from people for so little money.

But fixing computers is what I do best these days, and is what I enjoy the most.

[3fingersalute]

So you found out that you can check out, but never leave heh?

[Tekboy]

So you found out that you can check out, but never leave heh?

That may be true! I know I haven't been this relaxed in months.

[Tacklebox]

"Just when I thought I was out...They pull me back in!!"
-Al Pacino, Godfather III

[WebHead]

Recently, I divulged here that I was getting out of the computer business, but by the popular demand of my customers, I went back into business full time this week, so I am here more, as I am nearly always online at work.

Basically, I am a troubleshooting and repair guy. I do some upgrading, but I don't like building computers (boring), so I just let them know that I will support whatever they buy. One local company makes very good machines, so I usually send them there, as I once worked there, and know of a certainty that they build them right.

I guess it is back to the old spyware/virus removal grind, for the most part, though. I was never cut out to run a shoe store. One thing I have learned is this, however:
If you have been self-employed for any significant lenght of time, you become increasingly less employable. I know that for me, I am just less willing to take foolishness from people for so little money.

But fixing computers is what I do best these days, and is what I enjoy the most.

Got any tips for a fellow tech who is interested in doing something similar to what you are doing? I don't care how much money I make,.. I'm just tired of answering to "the man".

[jitBob]

Recently, I divulged here that I was getting out of the computer business, but by the popular demand of my customers, I went back into business full time this week, so I am here more, as I am nearly always online at work.

Basically, I am a troubleshooting and repair guy. I do some upgrading, but I don't like building computers (boring), so I just let them know that I will support whatever they buy. One local company makes very good machines, so I usually send them there, as I once worked there, and know of a certainty that they build them right.

I guess it is back to the old spyware/virus removal grind, for the most part, though. I was never cut out to run a shoe store. One thing I have learned is this, however:
If you have been self-employed for any significant lenght of time, you become increasingly less employable. I know that for me, I am just less willing to take foolishness from people for so little money.

But fixing computers is what I do best these days, and is what I enjoy the most.

So the short of it is that you enjoy a challenge and working unsupervised. Don't we all!

[Tekboy]

Got any tips for a fellow tech who is interested in doing something similar to what you are doing? I don't care how much money I make,.. I'm just tired of answering to "the man".

Best advice I can give to someone going into this business for themselves?

Be good at what you do, be fair, and be reliable.

If you don't stand behind what you do, you will soon be doing nothing.

And remember this: You are broke! You have no money! I don't care what your balance says, you are broke!

Pay your bills as soon as they arrive. Smile. Spend AT LEAST 5 hours per week studying the latest trends in the business. Find out the part of all this you are best at, and do that.

There are all kinds of people doing really neat things with computers.
My job is keep their machines in such a state as to be able to keep doing it.
Your job may end up different. But if I tried to learn how to use all the stuff in all those programs, I would go insane (short trip, anyway) pretty quickly.
So I focus on hardware and operating systems.

I have been told by techs who have been in the business longer than myself that I am a gifted troubleshooter.

At any rate, know your strengths, and your weaknesses. Be honest with your customers, and unflinchingly honest with yourself.

HTH,

http://www.thecomputermechanic.com

[PuterGeekGirl]

Glad to hear you are back doing what you enjoy....its always good to love what you do!

[WebHead]

Best advice I can give to someone going into this business for themselves?

Be good at what you do, be fair, and be reliable.

If you don't stand behind what you do, you will soon be doing nothing.

And remember this: You are broke! You have no money! I don't care what your balance says, you are broke!

Pay your bills as soon as they arrive. Smile. Spend AT LEAST 5 hours per week studying the latest trends in the business. Find out the part of all this you are best at, and do that.

There are all kinds of people doing really neat things with computers.
My job is keep their machines in such a state as to be able to keep doing it.
Your job may end up different. But if I tried to learn how to use all the stuff in all those programs, I would go insane (short trip, anyway) pretty quickly.
So I focus on hardware and operating systems.

I have been told by techs who have been in the business longer than myself that I am a gifted troubleshooter.

At any rate, know your strengths, and your weaknesses. Be honest with your customers, and unflinchingly honest with yourself.

HTH,

http://www.thecomputermechanic.com

That is excellent advice. Thanks!
I guess what I am having trouble with is how to even start up a business of my own. Maybe I should to talk with a financial advisor? Create a business plan? Hmmm.

[Tekboy]

That is excellent advice. Thanks!
I guess what I am having trouble with is how to even start up a business of my own. Maybe I should to talk with a financial advisor? Create a business plan? Hmmm.

You can do that if you wish. I don't sell hardware, so I am not into retail here. There are enough retailers here to keep the price reasonable. Besides, shipping just kills you here in Alaska.

Retail AND service is a good combination if you can attract enough customers to not only recap your investment, but turn a profit. The handiest part of that is that usually, any replacement parts your service department needs are already on hand. The bad part is when your hardware becomes rapidly outdated, and you either lose money, or do not make a profit.

I keep my costs down with no retail, and my customers seem to like the fact that I have no vested interest in selling hardware.

Customer trust is of utmost importance, as has been discussed in another thread.

[techs]

Recently, I divulged here that I was getting out of the computer business, but by the popular demand of my customers, I went back into business full time this week, so I am here more, as I am nearly always online at work.

Basically, I am a troubleshooting and repair guy. I do some upgrading, but I don't like building computers (boring), so I just let them know that I will support whatever they buy. One local company makes very good machines, so I usually send them there, as I once worked there, and know of a certainty that they build them right.

I guess it is back to the old spyware/virus removal grind, for the most part, though. I was never cut out to run a shoe store. One thing I have learned is this, however:
If you have been self-employed for any significant lenght of time, you become increasingly less employable. I know that for me, I am just less willing to take foolishness from people for so little money.

But fixing computers is what I do best these days, and is what I enjoy the most.

Our stories are EXACTLY alike.
Welcome back to self-employment.

As for you Webby I may have a copy of my business plan from when I started 7 years ago. Let me know if you want it.

[iceman]

That is excellent advice. Thanks!
I guess what I am having trouble with is how to even start up a business of my own. Maybe I should to talk with a financial advisor? Create a business plan? Hmmm.

Good idea's. Also think about contracts for customers i.e. discount for upfront pay for the repedative work.

[WebHead]

You can do that if you wish. I don't sell hardware, so I am not into retail here. There are enough retailers here to keep the price reasonable. Besides, shipping just kills you here in Alaska.

Retail AND service is a good combination if you can attract enough customers to not only recap your investment, but turn a profit. The handiest part of that is that usually, any replacement parts your service department needs are already on hand. The bad part is when your hardware becomes rapidly outdated, and you either lose money, or do not make a profit.

I keep my costs down with no retail, and my customers seem to like the fact that I have no vested interest in selling hardware.

Customer trust is of utmost importance, as has been discussed in another thread.

I guess what I'm saying is that I would like to start a "service only" type of business such as what you have. Possibly some "goods" as well. My main weakness is that I do not understand the process of starting a business. I.e.,.. whether it's shoes, computers, coffee,.. etc. Do I need to have capital? If so, how do I get it? Maybe I should get a book on this and do some reading.

[WebHead]

Our stories are EXACTLY alike.
Welcome back to self-employment.

As for you Webby I may have a copy of my business plan from when I started 7 years ago. Let me know if you want it.

Yeah,.. that's what I'm looking for. Like a sample of something jsut to get the wheels turning. That would be great techs. Thanks! Should I pm you about this?

[iceman]

You might have to leave the mask at home though.