Perhaps it’s because this site attracts a more “professional” tech folk for whom the points made are too obvious and basic to even bother discussing.

Or it may be that for whatever reason many of us view our businesses, regardless of size or success, in light of what we can get out of them “right now” rather than planning beyond the next month or year.

Are we unable to imagine our businesses 5-10-20 years down the road? Is this just a short term, “hit and run” opportunity that will soon vanish when all operating systems can self-heal from virus’ and hard drives never fail?

Perhaps that should be a topic one day: “The Future of Computer Repair”

If computer services will continue to be needed in the future, we need to plan to make the most of it. And if there is no future in it . . . please let me know, so I can plan what I’ll do next.

Having a plan for how you’d like to exit (Sell it? Close the doors and walk away? Let your kid inherit it?) should influence start-up and operational decisions throughout the lifespan of your business.

I’d like to 2nd the importance of choosing a name. I can’t count the number of computer businesses that have incomprehensible, too personal, or WAY over abbreviated names.

I would suggest that the owner is on the wrong track if anyone EVER asks for clarification on what a name means, can’t figure out how to spell it, or doesn’t remember it.

A corollary to this concept is that the business should never be too closely identified with ME as an individual. When something goes wrong, I want people to think of “Darn-Computer” first and “Matt” second if at all. It adds tremendously to the future transfer-ability of the business.

And finally, it’s easier to add future employees and slide them into customer service roles if the customer is accustomed to remembering and thinking of your business, rather than you personally.

We got our first offer which was better than we had expected… but had to turn it down as I’m just not ready to stop yet.

Good times!