Starting my own business
Posted 06-01-2009 at 02:17 AM by Fmeh
Since 2001 I've fixed people's computers. I've gotten 9 year old machines to run efficiently enough for them to do everything the people need them to, as well as found a way through thick or thin to keep people's files, as well as organizing things in such a way that even people who are new to computers can operate them without much problem. (also making my own tutorials for people)
Previously my panic kept me from charging a reasonable price, I always seemed to rip myself off. Now that I feel I have the right to make money, now that I feel like I'm worth something, I haven't been ripping myself off anymore.
I've been struggling trying to figure out how I'm going to bring in money. Previous to this, my panic and other mental issues (as well as my allergies to deodorant) destroyed every job I had--and I've been trying to get on SSI. Now that I'm doing quite a bit better, I may not need to get SSI, but I *do* need to find work that isn't going to have a problem with my B.O., especially being that my last refuge was baking soda, and now even that gives me a rash in a matter of hours.
I've wanted to start my own computer repair shop for a long time. Now my mother is going to let me turn the garage into my repair shop. This is great news for me. I mainly just need to get my business license, buy some extra parts to have on-hand, and start putting out internet ads as well as getting a listing in the yellow pages (not anything larger than a single entry--those ads are *expensive*!). This will also allow me to still be a caregiver for my mother.
This will all start to happen after my brother is fully out of this house. I'm very excited about this. Lately, through word of mouth in NA, I've been getting quite a bit of work just over these past couple weeks, and through all of my working on people's computers over the past 8 years, I've never (knock on wood) had a dissatisfied customer. So again, I'm quite excited about this.
Previously my panic kept me from charging a reasonable price, I always seemed to rip myself off. Now that I feel I have the right to make money, now that I feel like I'm worth something, I haven't been ripping myself off anymore.
I've been struggling trying to figure out how I'm going to bring in money. Previous to this, my panic and other mental issues (as well as my allergies to deodorant) destroyed every job I had--and I've been trying to get on SSI. Now that I'm doing quite a bit better, I may not need to get SSI, but I *do* need to find work that isn't going to have a problem with my B.O., especially being that my last refuge was baking soda, and now even that gives me a rash in a matter of hours.
I've wanted to start my own computer repair shop for a long time. Now my mother is going to let me turn the garage into my repair shop. This is great news for me. I mainly just need to get my business license, buy some extra parts to have on-hand, and start putting out internet ads as well as getting a listing in the yellow pages (not anything larger than a single entry--those ads are *expensive*!). This will also allow me to still be a caregiver for my mother.
This will all start to happen after my brother is fully out of this house. I'm very excited about this. Lately, through word of mouth in NA, I've been getting quite a bit of work just over these past couple weeks, and through all of my working on people's computers over the past 8 years, I've never (knock on wood) had a dissatisfied customer. So again, I'm quite excited about this.
Total Comments 12
Comments
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Good Luck ^^ you have the 8 years of experience is just a matter of time you get known.Posted 06-01-2009 at 08:45 AM by yure4u Sosa
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Good luck!
And, out of curiosity, have you ever tried anything like this?
Crystal Body Deodorant
It's supposed to be hypoallergenic.Posted 06-01-2009 at 12:37 PM by Ann Launay 
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Sounds like a great plan! I like how you've found a way to get around past obstacles and still do something you enjoy. Glad your mother is letting use the garage.
Not to focus on the B.O (LOL) but also, to add to what Ann suggested, always wear natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid anything with nylon, polyester, and other man made cloth. Also, I find drinking lots of water helps - the toxins being flushed through sweat are more 'diluted' that way.Posted 06-01-2009 at 12:50 PM by Isabeau Imako -
I used the crystal deodorant for two years, it worked great, then suddenly my body started rejecting it and I get a rash from it within an hour.Posted 06-01-2009 at 01:13 PM by Fmeh - Good luck Fmeh, this sounds great!Posted 06-01-2009 at 08:06 PM by Lecktor Hannibal
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I think this might be a great time to get into a business like this. Fewer people can afford to replace computers - they need to make their existing equipment last longer. Good luck!
Posted 06-02-2009 at 06:34 PM by Bard Jameson - Thanks
I'm reading that to get a business license costs somewhere between 25-50 bucks. I can afford that.
I'll be getting that license once my brother is fully moved out and things have finally settled down here, so hopefully within two to three weeks.Posted 06-03-2009 at 03:42 AM by Fmeh -
Good luck! Don't forget to build yourself a business website, too. People are going to search Google and stuff for someone just like you; don't miss out on those opportunities.Posted 06-06-2009 at 04:52 PM by Kavik Brock - True that. True that. Thanks.Posted 06-07-2009 at 02:49 AM by Fmeh
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Just whatever you do, don't put an ad out in a military paper until you have business built up, those things cost about the same as a tank
My brother put one out for our shop at the same time as the regular paper, for a two week run, the bill for both ads was over $500. We did end up painting a staff sergeant's truck though, so it paid for itself, but still, damn expensivePosted 06-07-2009 at 07:39 PM by talisien - My ads will mainly be ones I can do for free--until I start making a decent amount of money from it, the most I'll spend on an ad is $30. There are a lot of free ad resources out there, most of them online.
Everything's going to take some time though. The business license, making the different legal forms for people to sign, the logos, the website, figuring out EXACTLY what I should charge for what, it's all going to take some time.
I'm going to start the ball rolling (getting the business license) as soon as things are finally settled after my brother is moved out of this house and we can get the garage completely reorganized. We're getting a shed to put in the back yard that will contain a lot of the things that are currently in the garage as storage.
Realistically, it will probably be about 4-5 months before I have everything fully ready and start getting a flow of customers. I'd like it to be sooner, but I need to look at things realistically.Posted 06-07-2009 at 10:34 PM by Fmeh -
Fmeh, I wish you all the best of luck, this sounds great.
Posted 06-14-2009 at 02:49 AM by Brenda Archer
