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 wiggles
One Winged Angel
 
Registered: 11/09/05
Posts: 2,391
Last seen: 22 days, 21 hours
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 Looking to start a small business
#8074459 - 02/26/08 08:28 PM (9 months, 3 days ago) |
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I'm an experienced PC/server/network technician and have about 10 years of experience. No matter what I do I can't seem to find a decent job given my experience. I'm making 35k a year in New Jersey, and the average wage for someone with my qualifications is 75k. Thats a 40k difference. What. The. Fuck.
I like my current job, but it gets so damn frustrating so much of the time. I'm the only technician they have.. I could stay hours extra to make sure an order gets shipped a day order saving my company literally 500+ dollars on shipping and I don't see a damn extra dime.
I think the time is coming for me to go out on my own. I mean, really, my company basically sells computers that I build - they're selling my work, and making a profit. Thats bullshit. I want to cut out the middle man.
What I'm thinking about doing is getting some business cards printed up and giving them out to all of my friends and family, and putting some ads in local newspapers as a Computer/IT/Network consultant. Do I need to have a business license for that?
Eventually if I get a large enough customer base, I'd like to quit my current job and work entirely for myself. The thing is, I won't be able to help businesses during business hours because of my current job, which means that I'd basically be doing service for Joe computer user, and thats simply not where the money is. I want to work as a consultant for businesses, not users. I mean, local IT firms charge businesses over a grand simply to make sure virus scanners are updated. I'd gladly do the same for a fraction of that price, considering it takes 5 minutes worth of work.
Any kind of advice about this sort of venture would be really appreciated. I know a few other technicians who said they'd work side by side with me if we knew how to get started. Any small business owners (the legal kind) who can give me some ideas?
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You can turn your back on a person, but never turn your back on a drug, especially when its waving a razor sharp hunting knife in your eye.
Hunter S. Thompson
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Capatalistc nomad
Positivelyscandalous
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 9,927
Loc: Pongyang, North Korea
Last seen: 11 hours, 6 minutes
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Re: Looking to start a small business [Re: wiggles]
#8075537 - 02/27/08 12:21 AM (9 months, 3 days ago) |
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its tough when you finally go out on your own, and while the odds are stacked against you, its well worth it if it succeeds.
i would say, get a solid business plan togeather, and then save up 3-6 months worth of operating capital/living expenses. then quit your job
I would also suggest starting to form a client base while you are saving up to quit your job, advertise on Craigs list, local papers, and put up flyers. hell flyer door to door if you can.
Also, if you could form a strategic partnership, or contractual relation with a small computer shop that does not currently offer home computer repair, you would be in good shape.
everyone owns a computer, and no one really knows how to use them, or so it seems.
take some busines from those geek squad bastards! no one likes them, or best buy anyways.
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PEACE
 zippoz
Quote:
in times of widespread chaos and cofusion, it has ben the duty of more advanced human beings - artists, scientists, clowns, and philosophers - to create order. In such times as ours however, when there is too much order, too much m anagment, too much programming and controll, it becomes the duty of superior men and women and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption
[/quote]
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kadakuda
The Great"Green".......East
Registered: 05/21/04
Posts: 5,434
Loc: Asia
Last seen: 10 hours, 31 minutes
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they have reputation, network and advertising. these are things you will need as well. I wish you luck, but it's not always cheap and always risky taking the plunge!
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"I clean my house in my wife's underwear with a bottle of vodka and Queen set on MAX, and i am man enough to admit it. I may even sing along." I love drunks.
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kristofer
Oneironaut
Registered: 01/01/06
Posts: 226
Loc: Indianapolis
Last seen: 2 days, 22 hours
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Re: Looking to start a small business [Re: wiggles]
#8099271 - 03/03/08 07:42 PM (8 months, 28 days ago) |
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Quote:
I think the time is coming for me to go out on my own. I mean, really, my company basically sells computers that I build - they're selling my work, and making a profit. Thats bullshit. I want to cut out the middle man.
that's exactly why I loathe capitalism..
Well anyway, gotta live with it. You're going to need a business license for tax purposes and such, but for marketing yourself it's not necessary.
Ideally, while you're working your other job you could be setting up clients and establishing a networking system. Business cards are a good idea, but most people don't call me back. Who you know goes a long way, so make good business connections.
Most of my clients find me via google and word of mouth. Getting a website with a decent page rank for targeted searches can bring in customers like crazy.
What's more important though, is to provide value to your clients. If all you do is sell your time you're still a wage slave constantly hunting for the next job. Try to implement systems that work independently of your time and generate profit. That way you can rest easy.. you're making money in your sleep after all.
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dewbie dewbie dew
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