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anyone run your own business?

S

Soybomb

Diamond Member
So I finished my BS in may and have been debating if I want to go back to school, or go to work somewhere, or what. I've neglected a few job leads just because they sounded like something I'd hate. During this time I've been working 20-30 hours a week as a network tech/unix admin for a isp and telco. Its fun but the pay just isn't there. I've been trying to come up with my own business idea tonight and I hit on my favorite to date. I live in a fairly rural area, there one computer shop in town, best buy's 60 miles away, etc. Is it foolish to not start my own consulting business? I really don't want to sell computers, just my services.

At work I'm sent out as a tech to customers networks at times and bill out at $100 for the 1st hour, and $75 every hour afterwards. I was thinking now while I have a couple days off a week I should get some business cards printed, a voip line, put on a suit and hit up local businesses. I figure theres alot of offices small enough here to not employ their own full time tech, but still need someone skilled to fix pcs, repair the network, come up with a solution to a problem, etc. I was thinking about $75 an hour for random work, and service contracts of 5 hours max a month for $125 a month or something like that. It doesn't seem like over a few towns around here it would be that hard to bring in a decent amount of revenue a month, especially since I've got my other job to pay the bills while I build my own.

Anyone else do their own business? Does my idea sound all that bad?
 
there are guys here in southern ontario who do that. they are called "nerds on site"
iirc they are very successful
 
As long as you're not competing with your current employer, I don't see why it would be a problem. However, if you even start to come into competition with them, you should fully expect them to fire you instantly. If you're willing to risk that, go for it.
 
Originally posted by: SirPsycho
As long as you're not competing with your current employer, I don't see why it would be a problem. However, if you even start to come into competition with them, you should fully expect them to fire you instantly. If you're willing to risk that, go for it.
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Yeah luckily I live about 75 miles from my employer and we have no services here so no conflict of interest.


Another thing I'm kinda worried about is I'm 23, but I look pretty young, and it gets worse when I put on a tie. Is there a sly way you could mention or put on your card that you have a 4 year degree so people don't think they're getting some noob in high school? I was thinking of trying to make most of my initial contacts in person and at the time "Hi, I'm soybomb, I just finished at soy's university and am starting my own computer consulting business in town and wanted to talk to you about your computer needs" or something like that. I can't think of any real tactful way to do it but it doesn't seem like it would hurt to know.
 
Originally posted by: SirPsycho
As long as you're not competing with your current employer, I don't see why it would be a problem. However, if you even start to come into competition with them, you should fully expect them to fire you instantly. If you're willing to risk that, go for it.
Click to expand...
Especially if you signed some kind of non-compete agreement, then they can not only fire you but shut down your business and possibly even collect legal fees and/or damages. Since your side business is similar to some of your current work you need to be careful!

If you signed any kind of employment contract, find your copy. If you've lost it, ask HR to make you a new copy.

Other than the legal issues, this sounds like it could be a profitable niche. One thing, you might make the 5 hour/$125 be "non-priority service" or something like that, with a definition that it must be scheduled in advance, and that they pay extra for emergency services where you might have to make extra trips and postpone other scheduled work.
 
we have a "Geek on call" in my area. I would say go for it, make sure you have all the legal papers for your customers to sign when you do work for them, so they can't blame you for anything, such as loss of data, etc.

Its not like you have much to lose, you don't really need any expensive equipment, just time and skills. No capital is involved, if it does't workout, the most you'll lose is sleep.

good luck.
 
Yeah luckily I live about 75 miles from my employer and we have no services here so no conflict of interest.
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it still might be considered competition if they can even claim to have future plans to offer services in your area, but I'm no lawyer. If you never signed any kind of non-compete clause the worst they could do might be to fire you.
 
I think your on the right track. I have ran my own IT consulting business based here in LA and believe me it's competitive out here. But luckily I made a lot of money and consistencely for the past two years. I was going pretty much charging the same rate as you described. In a small town like you said you should have no problem. My advice to you is customer service is the key to have a successful business. If you need some advice let me know. I'll try to help.
 
Used to do that when I was a teenager. Biggest adventure was getting paid--I figure it took about as many hours on average to get paid as I spent actually working.

That's despite making a point of getting everything in writing: here's a written list of what you want to have done and this is how much it will cost to do it (hourly or fixed). Then get a written change order with a new estimate after you've done everything on the first order and they respond with "oh, but I really need it to do this instead. Make sure the person who signs the contract has the authority to do so--I've spent lots of time dealing with the accounts payable departments of businesses where the department head who had signed the contract (and claimed to have the authority to do so) didn't have any such authority according to their accounting department. Be prepared to have get put off a lot when it comes to getting paid; don't forget the legal costs of collecting debts once you've gotten past the limit of small claims court.

Remember that you'll be respondible for self-employment taxes, supplies, benefits, etc.; and always save (and organize) your receipts. Log your hours including phone time.

Despite all of the above, it was a good enough gig, but there was an awful lot of work that I did without ever getting paid for it.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, its helping alot. Really the only reason I'm hesitating is fear of getting too comfortable and stuck in this area, but it might just be worth a shot to see what happens. I think the other computer businesses in the area will provide competition but I like to think I really know my stuff and can also provide the customer service end of it too. Dave that is a good point, I had to sign a form when I started work with the company as a tech support guy. I'm almost positive it was only agreeing to not drink (although tech support deserves it) that you're working at-will, etc. Its worth reading again though for certain. Same on non priority work, I was thinking of that earlier. I'm not too worried about collecting.

Any thoughts on showing education and experience while looking as old as a high schooler? 😀
 
Originally posted by: Soybomb
So I finished my BS in may and have been debating if I want to go back to school, or go to work somewhere, or what. I've neglected a few job leads just because they sounded like something I'd hate. During this time I've been working 20-30 hours a week as a network tech/unix admin for a isp and telco. Its fun but the pay just isn't there. I've been trying to come up with my own business idea tonight and I hit on my favorite to date. I live in a fairly rural area, there one computer shop in town, best buy's 60 miles away, etc. Is it foolish to not start my own consulting business? I really don't want to sell computers, just my services.

At work I'm sent out as a tech to customers networks at times and bill out at $100 for the 1st hour, and $75 every hour afterwards. I was thinking now while I have a couple days off a week I should get some business cards printed, a voip line, put on a suit and hit up local businesses. I figure theres alot of offices small enough here to not employ their own full time tech, but still need someone skilled to fix pcs, repair the network, come up with a solution to a problem, etc. I was thinking about $75 an hour for random work, and service contracts of 5 hours max a month for $125 a month or something like that. It doesn't seem like over a few towns around here it would be that hard to bring in a decent amount of revenue a month, especially since I've got my other job to pay the bills while I build my own.

Anyone else do their own business? Does my idea sound all that bad?
Click to expand...


I can't tell you how much I'm for this type of attitude. The key to success and fulfillment isn't to be like oh, I need to get a job to support myself and make a living. It's how do I do something I want to do and make money doing it. It's an attitude and a way of thinking that not many people have. Most people are like if I can't get a job I'm screwed.

There's lots of money to be made in securing and deploying wireless network solutions for businesses. Hell, there's lots of money to be made almos tanywhere if you're smart.

Your idea sounds awesome...gotta do what you know but I'd try to think on more of a larger scale. Consulting and small scale computer repair and tech isn't all that lucrative and lots of people have this same idea. Why not harness the power of all these people and start the company where you send these people to repair computers instead of going out and doing it yourself? Your knowledge of how things like this work would be a huge asset.
 
Originally posted by: Soybomb
Originally posted by: SirPsycho
As long as you're not competing with your current employer, I don't see why it would be a problem. However, if you even start to come into competition with them, you should fully expect them to fire you instantly. If you're willing to risk that, go for it.
Click to expand...

Yeah luckily I live about 75 miles from my employer and we have no services here so no conflict of interest.


Another thing I'm kinda worried about is I'm 23, but I look pretty young, and it gets worse when I put on a tie. Is there a sly way you could mention or put on your card that you have a 4 year degree so people don't think they're getting some noob in high school? I was thinking of trying to make most of my initial contacts in person and at the time "Hi, I'm soybomb, I just finished at soy's university and am starting my own computer consulting business in town and wanted to talk to you about your computer needs" or something like that. I can't think of any real tactful way to do it but it doesn't seem like it would hurt to know.
Click to expand...

Actually someone your age who puts on a tie and talks professionally can be very very successful. Most people look at someone like this and go damn...he's doing all this and he's only 23. This kid is young and has the goods to be successful. Also, when you talk to people, make sure you see yourself from this same kind of attitude because if you look like a deer in headlights and look like you've never done this befor they'll see you the same way.
 
sounds like a good idea, I actually would have conflict of interest if I did computer services on the side, so I started my own video editing business (see sig)
 
Also forgot to mention that normal people, moms, old people ,rich people, and real estate people make excellent targets for services. Advertise in all newsletters and homeowners associations and bulletin boards that appeal to these people. In a lot of instances you can make 100 bucks just by going into MSCONFIG and disabling all startup programs and people are so amazed that their systems start fast again. Not to mention that you can make 200 bucks reinstalling windows or get paid 50 bucks an hour setting up home routers.
 
Something else to think about is "upselling" to your clients -- once you find out what they absolutely need to keep going (like fixing their broken PC) you might also think about what other services they might want, like CrazyDe1's suggestion of setting up and securing a wireless network for their office, setting up on-site and off-site data backup, etc. All the things their non-existent IT staff should be doing for them.

Make youself as much an outsourced IT staff as a problem-solving fix-it guy.

For the age problem, perhaps you could try a print mailing? (Just be sure it's thoroughly proofread!) In a "about the owner" section you could mention the degree and years(? -- don't lie) of previous experience.
 
If you know audio/video gear at all there's a very large market for that as well. Throw that into the mix with your PC services and you'll be very popular. When I was in college and worked for Best Buy and Circuit City I would always offer my services to hook up A/V gear, you'd be surprised how many people are stumped by dvd players, receivers, speaker placement, etc. The best part about it is that places like BB charge $200-300 for a basic setup that would take someone with the knowledge a half hour or so to do.
 
One tip (which you probably aleready know from your current job): don't trust your clients to remember anything about their PCs, or to be able to find any of their information, CD/diskettes, etc.

Whenever possible, make your own copies of such info, and be good about backing it up. They will lose every installation CD, license key, password, encryption key, configuration, and receipt. Then call you frantically asking you to fix the wifi router they've lost the password for.

You might want to pick up a lightweight USB-powered scanner (Canon makes nice ones) to bring with your laptop (with CD or DVD burner) so you can scan copies of receipts and other docs for any hardware or software that you set up for a company.
 
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
get an MBA
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I very well might, I was thinking either that or IP law if I continue my education. I feel like if I want to try something on my own...nows the golden opportunity.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I love the upselling suggestions. Ultimately I was thinking about branching back out to own endeavors of my own, maybe my own ISP, offsite backup is great, and would go well with my web hosting idea. I figured the consulting, especially service contracts would be the bread and butter to get some money coming in to buy and support my purchasing of gear and some circuits if it comes to that. Wireless is of course fantastic too.

I'm cautious because its easy to think you'd get alot of customers only to find they aren't intested in such an economically depressed area, but I think with a foot in the door you can prove your worth to them.
 
I'm cautious because its easy to think you'd get alot of customers only to find they aren't intested in such an economically depressed area, ...
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That's where having a menu of services and the (low) monthly fee might help you -- if you can say "A typical customer pays my company an average of $300 a month for setups, security, routine maintenace and backup services instead of paying an employee $3,000 a month in salary and benefits" you might get a decent number of steady customers.

File and application server design and setup is another service.

Also web presence (email, website, ecommerce). For the web design services you could use subcontractors and get one dedicated server to offer hosting.

There are a ton of computer-related services that a business needs, and a lot of businesses would love to be able to just pay somebody instead of having to do the research and learning to buy them directly.
 
Decent idea, but getting some type of graduate degree would help with setting up your own business - by that time you'd look older too! 😛
 
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