How to Start a Computer Repair Business

| August 12, 2017

Welcome to my How to Start a Computer Repair Business series of blogs.  Every story, example and tip is based on my past experience of onsite repairs, offices, stores and finally going remote support only.

 

Let’s get going!

I’m going to guess if you are out Googling “How to Start a Computer Repair Business”, you are seeking advice and want to learn from  experts on what you should do. Let me first ask you, why do you want to start a computer repair business? Do you have the passion to work for yourself? Do you not like working for others? Do you want a variety of work not limited by your current employer? Do you want to make more money or grow a large support company? These are the most common reasons techs venture out on their own. But are you one of those that can take it to the level of running a successful computer repair business? Do you have what it takes to be self-managed and wear many hats? Owning a business is more than fixing computers! Owning a business in any industry means you work work and work and work some more. The work is not fixing; it’s managing, doing paperwork, marketing and much more (these things…are not everyone’s favorite). As you read through these blogs, I hope you find enough positive and encouraging information to keep you on track to start your own business.

Moving ahead…

Consider this a guide of sorts based upon my knowledge and experience since 2003. This first blog post is a short story about how I got started and a bit about me. Below is the list of blogs and the topics I cover in this series.

  1. How to Start a Computer Repair Business
  2. Tips on Starting a Computer Repair Business
  3. Deciding on What Type of Computer Repair Business you want to Start
  4. What You Need To Start Your Computer Repair Business
  5. Business and Legal Information for Computer Repair Businesses
  6. Products and Services Your Computer Repair Business Can Sell
  7. Tools You Need to Start Your Computer Repair Business
  8. Guide to Pricing Your Computer Repair Business Services
  9. Free Marketing Advice for Computer Repair Businesses
  10. Resources for Computer Repair and Support Businesses
  11. Computer Repair and Support Podcast Shows
  12. How to Grow Your Computer Repair Business
  13. How to Start a Remote Support Business
  14. Do You Need Certifications to Start a Computer Repair Business

So you may ask….What is my experience?

In 2007, after being let go from a 2 week position with a law firm because “I didn’t fit in” (probably because I smoked and had visible tattoos), I came home with hot coffee in hand, sat down and started putting resumes out again. By noon, I was already sick of looking for the next job I would probably hate and had decided that I was done with this corporate life (7 years) and wanted to do Call That Girl (CTG) full-time. I started CTG in 2003 while I was between jobs, but never could commit full-time. I really didn’t feel “ready”.  Now was the time though, I felt more than ready. Nothing makes you more ready than just getting fired from a job you didn’t like anyway. So I figured I could do this or die trying. I hated working for others. I was always the type that just liked running my own show at any job. I  worked too hard, I had too much passion and liked working nights and weekends. I was built to be an entrepreneur. Done! I’m doing it! I spent all afternoon feeling excited and started writing down ideas I had for the new CTG. I made list after list, and scoured Google for information. No one I knew owned a business and I really was all alone on this venture. By 5:00 pm I had purchased CallThatGirl.biz because the .com was not available, but that didn’t bother me. I just knew I had to have something and find someone to create my website. I was ready to get going and I had a mission….new job, new business, new life. I spent the weekend feeling elated I was doing this, even though I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t have hardware experience, I was a software tech, all I knew was that I liked supporting clients and taking care of tech problems. I was a helpdesk tech!  A neighbor gave me one piece of advice that I will be eternally grateful for, “Go to networking events” and this is not “computer networking events” but rather “face to face meetings.” I had no idea what she was talking about, so she sent me an invite to one meeting, and after attending I was hooked from the get go. I loved getting out, meeting others and talking to them about their needs and more importantly, talking about me and my business! So as CTG started to gain strength over the next few years… I networked, marketed, failed at some ideas, succeeded at some, learned the hard way.  I grew my company to three stores,  16 employees, closed all three stores and now run the company I finally wanted to run.  What I have passion for: My remote support only company. Yep, that is it in a nutshell! As we move along the blog series, I will give advice the best I can. I wish you well with your adventures in business! Each blog will end with my eBooks that I sell, (all excellent step-by-step guides) and other eBooks and free technical resources. Feel free to send me a comment if you want information added, or just want to send me a comment. Thank you!

 

 

   

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Category: How to Start a Computer Repair Business

About the Author ()

Lisa Hendrickson is the owner of Call That Girl. She is an Outlook Expert and Microsoft 365 Consultant.

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