Some insight on my opportunity...(sorry a bit lengthy)

I have started a mobile PC repair business. I offer various different
services, and solutions. I have come up with a creative name that
relates to my business and its future growth. I have done some
creative marketing, for example: a one liner punch phrase, plans for
"outside the box" exposure, like a huge banner in a commercial area,
and a booth with an employee, geared with information and so on. I
have started working on business relationships. The company that I
commissioned to do my CID, I ended up creating a partnership with. I
am looking at partnering with some printer companies in the local
area, so that there may be cross blending of services. I have all the
paper work done for the business. It is a limited liability, I am not
bonded, yet, and I have a business plan done. I did start out with
just some paper and all my ideas. 1 year later I decided to invest
into software to guide me through the creation of the parts that will
be critical for investors. I have done 4-5 jobs in the last month.
With no marketing and still working a full time job. I do have a
partner that I started this venture with. Basically the vision that
started all of this in such a saturated pc market was the following: I
live in the Atlanta Area. There is a huge boom right now with PCs, and
Computer Tech companies. This South Eastern area is about 10 years
behind the Silicon Valley, witch I regard as close to pointless to run
a business in a place like that. Also there are hardly any competition
in this are that will cater to the masses. There are about 5 solid
companies that do in home service. BUT, they lack major marketing, or
exposure. It is still based on the customer finding them, through
avenues such as the yellow pages. I know that if I can start this
company, and run an effective marketing campaign, that I could make my
mark. While I was doing market and competition research for the last 6
months, I realized another factor, most of these placed over charge,
and, they have poor customer service. One place, I had my grandmother
call, and try to get pc in home service, what I found out by recording
the call was amazing, they basically suck when it comes to an ignorant
customer. Someone who has no idea what to do about a virus, I only saw
an area of opportunity. They didn't offer my Grandmother anything.
They told her to bring her PC in for testing!!! I thought they did
mobile repair. Bur I guess that was optional, on their behalf. Anyway
it came out to be like 300 dollars to have a sound card, cdrom
replaced and installed, and some spyware and viruses removed. So when
I started making my business plan, I decided that I could make a
profit and still be cheaper than anyone around, and that included all
of them. Also, something else that hit me like an apple... CUSTOMER
SERVICE! I started designing the business around this basic point. My
scheme as it stands now is: An active marketing style that keeps
interest and gains eyes. Enticing prices that land contact, and using
my sales ability and customer service as an engine for the business
model will be my ingredients for success. Customer service is what
will set me apart from my competition. I can come in, start a
successful business, and will have the power to take market share from
the surrounding areas. While all that sounds solid to me and I have
run this idea and business through a fine toothed comb, as well as
observed other like business in other cities. I knew some people in
California when I lived out there. But here is the reason why I am
posting and asking for some insight and advice from some of the major
players here. I am 21, and have no formal business degree or
education, so there must be something I am missing, just because it
feels so good. Along with that, I am 21, and I know I haven't been
around the business block yet, but I have my suite and ties, and my
sales skills, witch I am not too bad at. What other things do I need
to be looking at, and where my faults are in my plans. If you guys
want to read my business plan to know more, I have no problem with
having someone review it, but, please email first, cause I don't feel
comfortable in posting it out to the masses. Also, Having no real
credit built up, and nothing to really land an investor, what are my
options? I hear people speak of grants, but those seem to far reached
for my operation. I have looked into them, but they are really
confusing as to their requirements and so on. Also, how someone like
me would in this position get funding, even a loan. I am stupidly
convinced that this business will work. I have been juiced about it
for almost 8 months. I have been going and going. I want to get it off
the ground now. It has the potential, but now it lacks the funding for
the marketing. I need something to get the work out, and then I can
make some cash. It is defiantly a catch-22.!! Any advice or
conversation about this is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.
Regards,
Corey Lipham - CEO Onsite Works
Corey@onsiteworks.net
www.Onsiteworks.net
678-481-0864

On 12 Sep 2004 19:29:29 GMT, phenixsolutions@yahoo.com (Corey
Lipham) wrote:

>
>I have started a mobile PC repair business.

<Snip>

> Anyway it came out to be like 300 dollars to have a sound card, cdrom
>replaced and installed, and some spyware and viruses removed. So when
>I started making my business plan, I decided that I could make a
>profit and still be cheaper than anyone around, and that included all
>of them. Also, something else that hit me like an apple... CUSTOMER
>SERVICE!

The price is about right.

It does not matter how much you talk, or what you wish to do.

To run a profitable computer business with moderately paid
employees, you will have to charge about $100/hour *or more*, plus
parts (the money is in the labor).

If your rates are not close to (or above) these rates and prices,
then you will be out of business relatively quickly.

Regards, Jerry

On 13 Sep 2004 02:41:15 GMT, Gerald Abrahamson <jerryab@visi.com>
wrote:

>
>On 12 Sep 2004 19:29:29 GMT, phenixsolutions@yahoo.com (Corey
>Lipham) wrote:
>
>>
>>I have started a mobile PC repair business.
>
><Snip>
>
>> Anyway it came out to be like 300 dollars to have a sound card, cdrom
>>replaced and installed, and some spyware and viruses removed. So when
>>I started making my business plan, I decided that I could make a
>>profit and still be cheaper than anyone around, and that included all
>>of them. Also, something else that hit me like an apple... CUSTOMER
>>SERVICE!
>
>The price is about right.
>
>It does not matter how much you talk, or what you wish to do.
>
>To run a profitable computer business with moderately paid
>employees, you will have to charge about $100/hour *or more*, plus
>parts (the money is in the labor).
>
>If your rates are not close to (or above) these rates and prices,
>then you will be out of business relatively quickly.
>
>Regards, Jerry

That hourly rate is VERY much location-dependent. I had a house call
computer service here at home (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) a couple of
months ago to set up a server for me, and their going rate was $65
Canadian per hour.

Win
--
Win Day, Multimedia Developer
Words Plus
http://www.wordsplus.net
winday@REMOVETHISwordsplus.net

Hi Corey,

I'm in Atlanta also. I have a few ideas for you, and if you want to meet
sometime and get into detail on some of them please let me know.

Your idea of partnerships is a great low cost idea to generate income. If
your planning to start small and grow you should not need any financing.
It's all about cash flow.

You might want to contact some local computer repair stores and offer your
"basic services" to them. If a customer of theirs has a problem you can go
to their location and do a "10 minute diagnosis" and if you can solve the
small problem there you fix it and bill the customer, and paying the
computer store 25% of your fee as a referral.

If the problem is more than the "10 minute diagnosis" you bring the computer
to the repair shop, let them fix it, you return it to the customer, and you
charge a fixed fee for pick up and delivery (maybe $25-$50)

Another option is for the computer store designate you their "off site"
repair facility. You do the "10 minute diagnosis" and charge the consumer a
set fee, that includes a commission to the computer store, so they make
money referring people to you. Then if additional work is needed, you do the
work at the customers site or at your site and directly bill the consumer,
and also pay the computer store commission based on the repair bill.

This will allow you to build relationships with computer stores, pay them to
refer you business, and you both make money.

I think one of your biggest fields would be small businesses. In your down
time or when your visiting other clients in the area, stop in to a small
businesses with offices (and computers) and make yourself available for a
free 30 minute consultation immediately or set an appointment in the next
few days. Have them show you the problems they are having with their
computers, and don't bill them for the first 30 minutes...fix as much as you
can in the 30 minutes. They will see the value and if they want you to stay
or come back later you bill them your regular rate. If you solve the only
problem they have...they will remember you next time they have a problem and
you'll be building your business.

You can also add printed and e-mailed newsletters to keep in touch with your
consumer and business customers.

Good luck,
Dave

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
USA Business Resources http://www.Network2020.com/go
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> I have started a mobile PC repair business. I offer various different
> services, and solutions. I have come up with a creative name that
> relates to my business and its future growth. I have done some
> creative marketing, for example: a one liner punch phrase, plans for
> "outside the box" exposure, like a huge banner in a commercial area,
> and a booth with an employee, geared with information and so on. I
> have started working on business relationships. The company that I
> commissioned to do my CID, I ended up creating a partnership with. I
> am looking at partnering with some printer companies in the local
> area, so that there may be cross blending of services. I have all the
> paper work done for the business. It is a limited liability, I am not
> bonded, yet, and I have a business plan done. I did start out with
> just some paper and all my ideas. 1 year later I decided to invest
> into software to guide me through the creation of the parts that will
> be critical for investors. I have done 4-5 jobs in the last month.
> With no marketing and still working a full time job. I do have a
> partner that I started this venture with. Basically the vision that
> started all of this in such a saturated pc market was the following: I
> live in the Atlanta Area. There is a huge boom right now with PCs, and
> Computer Tech companies. This South Eastern area is about 10 years
> behind the Silicon Valley, witch I regard as close to pointless to run
> a business in a place like that. Also there are hardly any competition
> in this are that will cater to the masses. There are about 5 solid
> companies that do in home service. BUT, they lack major marketing, or
> exposure. It is still based on the customer finding them, through
> avenues such as the yellow pages. I know that if I can start this
> company, and run an effective marketing campaign, that I could make my
> mark. While I was doing market and competition research for the last 6
> months, I realized another factor, most of these placed over charge,
> and, they have poor customer service. One place, I had my grandmother
> call, and try to get pc in home service, what I found out by recording
> the call was amazing, they basically suck when it comes to an ignorant
> customer. Someone who has no idea what to do about a virus, I only saw
> an area of opportunity. They didn't offer my Grandmother anything.
> They told her to bring her PC in for testing!!! I thought they did
> mobile repair. Bur I guess that was optional, on their behalf. Anyway
> it came out to be like 300 dollars to have a sound card, cdrom
> replaced and installed, and some spyware and viruses removed. So when
> I started making my business plan, I decided that I could make a
> profit and still be cheaper than anyone around, and that included all
> of them. Also, something else that hit me like an apple... CUSTOMER
> SERVICE! I started designing the business around this basic point. My
> scheme as it stands now is: An active marketing style that keeps
> interest and gains eyes. Enticing prices that land contact, and using
> my sales ability and customer service as an engine for the business
> model will be my ingredients for success. Customer service is what
> will set me apart from my competition. I can come in, start a
> successful business, and will have the power to take market share from
> the surrounding areas. While all that sounds solid to me and I have
> run this idea and business through a fine toothed comb, as well as
> observed other like business in other cities. I knew some people in
> California when I lived out there. But here is the reason why I am
> posting and asking for some insight and advice from some of the major
> players here. I am 21, and have no formal business degree or
> education, so there must be something I am missing, just because it
> feels so good. Along with that, I am 21, and I know I haven't been
> around the business block yet, but I have my suite and ties, and my
> sales skills, witch I am not too bad at. What other things do I need
> to be looking at, and where my faults are in my plans. If you guys
> want to read my business plan to know more, I have no problem with
> having someone review it, but, please email first, cause I don't feel
> comfortable in posting it out to the masses. Also, Having no real
> credit built up, and nothing to really land an investor, what are my
> options? I hear people speak of grants, but those seem to far reached
> for my operation. I have looked into them, but they are really
> confusing as to their requirements and so on. Also, how someone like
> me would in this position get funding, even a loan. I am stupidly
> convinced that this business will work. I have been juiced about it
> for almost 8 months. I have been going and going. I want to get it off
> the ground now. It has the potential, but now it lacks the funding for
> the marketing. I need something to get the work out, and then I can
> make some cash. It is defiantly a catch-22.!! Any advice or
> conversation about this is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.
> Regards,
> Corey Lipham - CEO Onsite Works
> Corey@onsiteworks.net
> www.Onsiteworks.net
> 678-481-0864
>