Can I do this forever?

[jbcs21]

I'm new to the forums, and I haven't met anyone from here. I've visited the site several times because of the info that I can get here which is very valuable.

Just some background on myself, I've had a computer repair shop since 2009. I live in a small town. Other than one other guy who repairs vacuums, I'm the only "official" computer repair guy. I was trained by a couple of guys back in the day at a RadioShack that I worked at. We did computer repairs so we weren't sending electronics down the street to another shop. My training was informal but valuable. Book learning is great, but working in the trenches teaches you things the hard way. Sometimes the expensive way.

So now I've had my shop since 2009. I don't have any techy friends where I currently live. I don't get to vent the same as I used to about customers being a bit too ignorant for any advice I could possibly give them. I also don't get to reflect and learn new information the same way. Now my issue.

I wonder if I can continue to do this kind of work forever. Becoming burned out is almost certain business suicide. Lately I've had some failures that have weighed heavily on my mind. Repairs that became costly and unnecessary, all because I either missed something or flat wasn't paying attention. I guess I'm feeling a bit burned out. Each experience seems to drag me down a little more. One after the other can weigh on you after a while.

What do you gals and guys think about the future? How long do you intend to keep your shop? Is it possible to continue to change and morph your business to keep up with the times? Or is it a gig to do for a while and move on to greener pastures? I'm curious what other people think about these situations.

-JB

 

[Markverhyden]

An Okie from Muskogee? Just kidding. Welcome to the forums. Where are you located? Have family from OK.

What you are describing is part of being in business for yourself. Not everyone is cut out for that. Personally I decided not to open a shop when I struck out on my own so I work as a mobile tech out of my home. Many reasons but the main ones are costs and the changing nature of the industry.

Personally I could never go back to working for someone. I relish the challenges that come with running my own business. Part of it is the ability to manage my time as I see fit. While I am always looking for more revenue opportunities I am also always working at honing my skills and tweeking my business plan.

 

[jbcs21]

I've debated getting into tablet and phone repairs.

I know I need to work at keeping my education up to par. I got my A+ a while back, but I haven't renewed it in a while.

I'm also thinking about doing more solder work. I just have to get a better iron. My 30w RadioShack special just isn't cutting it anymore. lol

I'm just south of Norman, OK.

I just haven't figured out if I'm burned out and needing to try something else. Or if I need to dive in and just work harder at it and expand my horizons. The oilfield sure did pay good money...

Mainly I'm just venting. I don't have anyone who gets it.

 

[Markverhyden]

My Mom was born in OKC. Grandad had a ranch for years in Coal County. My Aunt still lives in Coalgate.

I've decided to bypass smart devices. Does not make sense for someone who is mobile. Not to mention places are popping up everywhere for that stuff.

Do you try to target businesses? That's an area where people might still spend money on quality machines. How about printers? They are actually very easy to work on. Well at least the commercial level machines like HP and Lexmark. And companies will pay to have them repaired rather than spending 400-500 for a new one.

 

[mraikes]

You'll find a lot of people here who "get it".

It can be challenging, particularly when you hit a rough patch where it seems every other job somehow goes wrong or takes three times longer than you thought it would. Thankfully, we also get smooth stretches where everything seems to click. For a while.

One bit of advice is to make use of this forum. There are areas for almost any topic you can think of, and catchalls for those that might be missing.

For many of us, this is the place to vent (do it in TEO for at least a little privacy), or to ask advice on a job that's kicking our butt, or even just talk shop. Or not talk shop - particularly in the general chat forum.

More than once I've beat my head against a problem and only resolved it after presenting it here and getting fresh suggestions and perspectives. But be warned - this can be a tough love group. You have to have a little bit of a thick skin and don't take anything personally. People here are amazingly willing to help one another, but sometimes they have bad days too.

Hanging out around here will regularly remind you that although you may work by yourself, you're not alone.

 

[jbcs21]

Thank you gentlemen. It is very comforting to have somewhere to complain, that's for sure. The wife listens, but she just doesn't have the same feed back. Watching her browse the internet on my computer makes me want to bang my head against a wall. She just doesn't always understand.

I appreciate the love, tough or not. Sometimes a good slap to the face can do wonders. lol

 

[altrenda]

Nothing is forever. I know of few businesses that are doing things the same as they did 4 or 5 years ago.
The fun but challenging part of the business is keeping up with the trends and the way people use technology and adapting to it. It's changing for us from fixing things that are broken to making the things customers use work better and all their devices, not just computers, work together. I find it fun.

And as said before, this is a great place to learn new stuff and share things that your wife, family and friends just don't understand.