Thinking of starting my own small business.....

[TangoJuliet]

I have been thinking a lot lately about starting my own business. I currently work for a company that is contracted out by the government - and I make descent money but the shifts/hours suck for the most part and I am getting a little tired with it.

I was thinking that I could continue to work my current job and run the business as well....atleast until it gets rolling. There is a free small business owners workshop at a local college that can help me with all the financial details and whatnot but here is where I could use ATOT's help.

The business I want to open is just basic computer repairs and sales. What exactly would I have to become certified in to make repairs? I am pretty good with computers now as I have built several for myself and for friends. I also graduated with a minor in C.S. from my college in 2001.

Any other small business owners here and if so do you have any tips?

 

[intogamer]

Getting EIN.. license.. etc

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: intogamer
Getting EIN.. license.. etc

whats EIN?

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK
I have been thinking a lot lately about starting my own business. I currently work for a company that is contracted out by the government - and I make descent money but the shifts/hours suck for the most part and I am getting a little tired with it.

I was thinking that I could continue to work my current job and run the business as well....atleast until it gets rolling. There is a free small business owners workshop at a local college that can help me with all the financial details and whatnot but here is where I could use ATOT's help.

The business I want to open is just basic computer repairs and sales. What exactly would I have to become certified in to make repairs? I am pretty good with computers now as I have built several for myself and for friends. I also graduated with a minor in C.S. from my college in 2001.

Any other small business owners here and if so do you have any tips?

I suggest not going into this business, computer are slowly becoming disposable, there is money in it but the competition is fierce. You are not required to get any certification although you can put it on your advertisement if you want. In my mind the best way to start this would be to do it on the side, maybe take out an ad in the local paper. If you get a ton of business then open a store front, if that does well open another in neighboring city and react to the needs of your customers.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: intogamer
Getting EIN.. license.. etc

whats EIN?

Text Basically a SSN for your business

Yes I've had a thread inquring about the same before. Zolty is right

 

[TheoPetro]

if you are doing this to make $ then stay the hell out of this market. I dont know of any mom&pop computer repair shops within at least 50 miles and there is a reason for it; no one trusts them. People would much rather take their comps to bestbuy and pay 150 to get a HDD installed than take it to someone "unfamiliar".

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: Zolty

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK
I have been thinking a lot lately about starting my own business. I currently work for a company that is contracted out by the government - and I make descent money but the shifts/hours suck for the most part and I am getting a little tired with it.

I was thinking that I could continue to work my current job and run the business as well....atleast until it gets rolling. There is a free small business owners workshop at a local college that can help me with all the financial details and whatnot but here is where I could use ATOT's help.

The business I want to open is just basic computer repairs and sales. What exactly would I have to become certified in to make repairs? I am pretty good with computers now as I have built several for myself and for friends. I also graduated with a minor in C.S. from my college in 2001.

Any other small business owners here and if so do you have any tips?

I suggest not going into this business, computer are slowly becoming disposable, there is money in it but the competition is fierce. You are not required to get any certification although you can put it on your advertisement if you want. In my mind the best way to start this would be to do it on the side, maybe take out an ad in the local paper. If you get a ton of business then open a store front, if that does well open another in neighboring city and react to the needs of your customers.

Thanks! There is a small repair shop about 20 mins from me run by this asian man and his wife. They constantly have tons of computers in the "waiting room" ready to be picked up. I am assuming that they were all repairs.

I have been running it from my house just as a side project. I usually only worked on friends' comps and stuff or by word of mouth. I did about $12,000 in sales last year alone.

Forgot this bit of info as well: I live in NY (suburbs - about 30 mins from NYC) and I am 28 years old and married....if that matters any

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: Zolty



I suggest not going into this business, computer are slowly becoming disposable, there is money in it but the competition is fierce. You are not required to get any certification although you can put it on your advertisement if you want. In my mind the best way to start this would be to do it on the side, maybe take out an ad in the local paper. If you get a ton of business then open a store front, if that does well open another in neighboring city and react to the needs of your customers.

As a small biz owner, I agree - start on the side, advertise a bit, and see where it goes. Sometimes it's hard to say if you would do better "on the side" vs. "full storefront" - but you'll definitely have less overhead on the side!

Both of our home businesses are home based, and I still do computer work on the side.

You don't need any particular certification, but it may help in your sales/business volume, and lends you industry capability. A lot of the customers I've done pc work for wouldn't know an A+ cert from a breath mint, so YMMV.

If you're able to get assistance from the local college, definitely do that. Free assistance is sometimes more value than it seems - we have a program run here in San Antonio like that, where the Small Business Administration partners with a college.

Also, look into what *type* of business you want to be - LLC, Sole Proprietership, etc. LLC may be your safest bet.

 

[skrilla]

If you are just doing it as a small part time gig to get used to it, you could just do a sole proprietorship. Just do business under your name for now instead of registering a name and forming an LLC or something else, which would cost you.

Get Quickbooks (they have a small free edition) to keep track of income and send invoices. You would have basically no startup costs, and could try it out for a while. As far as reporting income, that part I am not sure about. I think you just report it at tax time, but you would have to look into it.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
if you are doing this to make $ then stay the hell out of this market. I dont know of any mom&pop computer repair shops within at least 50 miles and there is a reason for it; no one trusts them. People would much rather take their comps to bestbuy and pay 150 to get a HDD installed than take it to someone "unfamiliar".

Exactly. Which is exactly why business networking is necessary. Referrals are gold.

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Thanks! There is a small repair shop about 20 mins from me run by this asian man and his wife. They constantly have tons of computers in the "waiting room" ready to be picked up. I am assuming that they were all repairs.

I have been running it from my house just as a side project. I usually only worked on friends' comps and stuff or by word of mouth. I did about $12,000 in sales last year alone.

Forgot this bit of info as well: I live in NY (suburbs - about 30 mins from NYC) and I am 28 years old and married....if that matters any

Looks like you're doing well! As long as you have the room for it (and your wife doesn't mind) then I would keep it small and home-based for now. Get some biz cards made up (I can help with that) and definitely ask your friends to refer you to their families, friends, etc. If you have a happy customer, ask them to tell their family, friends, etc....a personal referral can bring you TONS of business.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: skrilla
If you are just doing it as a small part time gig to get used to it, you could just do a sole proprietorship. Just do business under your name for now instead of registering a name and forming an LLC or something else, which would cost you.

Get Quickbooks (they have a small free edition) to keep track of income and send invoices. You would have basically no startup costs, and could try it out for a while. As far as reporting income, that part I am not sure about. I think you just report it at tax time, but you would have to look into it.

I pretty much do that now. Basically from friends/family and word of mouth I did $12,000 in sales. I filed it on my taxes as well. I havent registered a name or anything as its just something I do on the side when I have free time.

I would like to do it full time but I think running out of my house may be cheesy. Who's going to bring a computer to someones house to get fixed. Plus my house really isnt that big to work on multiple comps at the same time.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: gwrober

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
if you are doing this to make $ then stay the hell out of this market. I dont know of any mom&pop computer repair shops within at least 50 miles and there is a reason for it; no one trusts them. People would much rather take their comps to bestbuy and pay 150 to get a HDD installed than take it to someone "unfamiliar".

Exactly. Which is exactly why business networking is necessary. Referrals are gold.

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Thanks! There is a small repair shop about 20 mins from me run by this asian man and his wife. They constantly have tons of computers in the "waiting room" ready to be picked up. I am assuming that they were all repairs.

I have been running it from my house just as a side project. I usually only worked on friends' comps and stuff or by word of mouth. I did about $12,000 in sales last year alone.

Forgot this bit of info as well: I live in NY (suburbs - about 30 mins from NYC) and I am 28 years old and married....if that matters any

Looks like you're doing well! As long as you have the room for it (and your wife doesn't mind) then I would keep it small and home-based for now. Get some biz cards made up (I can help with that) and definitely ask your friends to refer you to their families, friends, etc. If you have a happy customer, ask them to tell their family, friends, etc....a personal referral can bring you TONS of business.

Thanks! Yeah, I've been doing pretty good so far. I built some high comps for 2 friends and did mostly repairs for the rest of the year. My wife is a school teacher and she is always telling me her coworkers need someone to work on their computer(s)....I havent gone ahead and accepted any of their offers because I've been busy.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK


Thanks! Yeah, I've been doing pretty good so far. I built some high comps for 2 friends and did mostly repairs for the rest of the year. My wife is a school teacher and she is always telling me her coworkers need someone to work on their computer(s)....I havent gone ahead and accepted any of their offers because I've been busy.

Small Biz help...

Business Image

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK


I pretty much do that now. Basically from friends/family and word of mouth I did $12,000 in sales. I filed it on my taxes as well. I havent registered a name or anything as its just something I do on the side when I have free time.

I would like to do it full time but I think running out of my house may be cheesy. Who's going to bring a computer to someones house to get fixed. Plus my house really isnt that big to work on multiple comps at the same time.

Nonsense! You may run across a few who view home-based businesses as "shadetree" but the majority of our customers could care less. We do work for the Westin chain of hotels, the Radisson, churches from all over, the AF, etc etc - we have customers as far as California and New York (we're in south TX).

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: gwrober

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK


Thanks! Yeah, I've been doing pretty good so far. I built some high comps for 2 friends and did mostly repairs for the rest of the year. My wife is a school teacher and she is always telling me her coworkers need someone to work on their computer(s)....I havent gone ahead and accepted any of their offers because I've been busy.

Small Biz help...

Business Image

cool, thanks. ill check em out when i get a free moment.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: skrilla
If you are just doing it as a small part time gig to get used to it, you could just do a sole proprietorship. Just do business under your name for now instead of registering a name and forming an LLC or something else, which would cost you.

Get Quickbooks (they have a small free edition) to keep track of income and send invoices. You would have basically no startup costs, and could try it out for a while. As far as reporting income, that part I am not sure about. I think you just report it at tax time, but you would have to look into it.

I pretty much do that now. Basically from friends/family and word of mouth I did $12,000 in sales. I filed it on my taxes as well. I havent registered a name or anything as its just something I do on the side when I have free time.

I would like to do it full time but I think running out of my house may be cheesy. Who's going to bring a computer to someones house to get fixed. Plus my house really isnt that big to work on multiple comps at the same time.

You might consider offering to pick it up. You are going to spend a LOT more on rent and utilities at an office than you would in gas. Sure, you won't get as much business, but you will have far, far fewer expenses.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: gwrober

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK


I pretty much do that now. Basically from friends/family and word of mouth I did $12,000 in sales. I filed it on my taxes as well. I havent registered a name or anything as its just something I do on the side when I have free time.

I would like to do it full time but I think running out of my house may be cheesy. Who's going to bring a computer to someones house to get fixed. Plus my house really isnt that big to work on multiple comps at the same time.

Nonsense! You may run across a few who view home-based businesses as "shadetree" but the majority of our customers could care less. We do work for the Westin chain of hotels, the Radisson, churches from all over, the AF, etc etc - we have customers as far as California and New York (we're in south TX).

Thats cools then....i wasnt sure what the perception was of a computer repair business run from the home. However I just dont have the room to do all the repairs in my home.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: skrilla
If you are just doing it as a small part time gig to get used to it, you could just do a sole proprietorship. Just do business under your name for now instead of registering a name and forming an LLC or something else, which would cost you.

Get Quickbooks (they have a small free edition) to keep track of income and send invoices. You would have basically no startup costs, and could try it out for a while. As far as reporting income, that part I am not sure about. I think you just report it at tax time, but you would have to look into it.

I pretty much do that now. Basically from friends/family and word of mouth I did $12,000 in sales. I filed it on my taxes as well. I havent registered a name or anything as its just something I do on the side when I have free time.

I would like to do it full time but I think running out of my house may be cheesy. Who's going to bring a computer to someones house to get fixed. Plus my house really isnt that big to work on multiple comps at the same time.

You might consider offering to pick it up. You are going to spend a LOT more on rent and utilities at an office than you would in gas. Sure, you won't get as much business, but you will have far, far fewer expenses.

I live in a pretty populated area....I really doubt that i wouldnt be able to find customer's locally. I really dont want to be driving all over the world for a small job esp with gas prices being so high - plus I want to be able to spend time with my family which is one of the reasons I am doing this.

Anyways, I do plan to talk with someone at the college. Hopefully we can come up with a demographic of other repair shops in the area, etc. Just off hand I know there is one about 20 mins from my home and another about 30 mins. I think if it is put in a good location I can do really well.

Also since I would still be working at my job I would need someone to work at the store when I am working. Unless I moved into a bigger home that was something like a mother-daughter setup I dont think running it from home would be logical.